Last month, rising eighth grader Kira Bardin was named the U-15 (under 15) National Champion for both the individual and mixed relay divisions at the USA Modern Pentathlon National Championship, held in Roswell, N.M. Her performance also qualified her for an invitation to the elite USA Modern Pentathlon Olympic Development program – an intensive, week-long residential training program at the US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Bardin qualified for the national event after a decisive win at the Wolfpack Regional Pentathlon.

Modern Pentathlon combines swimming, fencing, horse jumping and laser-run (in which competitors run laps and shoot targets with laser pistols) into a single, one-day event. It has been an Olympic sport since 1912. Bardin will compete in the U-17 division next year and hopes to join the USA Modern Pentathlon Junior World Team with a goal towards representing the United States at the international level in 2022 and beyond. To follow her journey, please visit https://www.kirabardin.com.