Team USA at the PanAmerican Championships
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Team USA at the Pan American Championships
On a sunny day in Resende, Brazil, U.S. pentathletes Phaelen French, Corinne Thompson, and Cassandra Steptoe competed at the Pan American Championships. The event, held at the AMAN military academy, showcased the athletes' dedication to refining their modern pentathlon skills.
The competition kicked off on Tuesday, December 11, with the fencing ranking round. Each athlete faced 18 opponents, engaging in two-touch bouts. French delivered a strong performance with 18 victories, placing 9th, while Thompson followed closely with 16 victories, securing 12th place. Steptoe managed 12 victories, finishing the round in 17th place.
On Wednesday, Thompson was invited to the Confederación Panamericana de Pentatlón Moderno Ordinary General Assembly to serve as the U.S. delegate, an honor that highlighted her leadership within the sport.
The finals began on Thursday with the fencing bonus round, where both French and Thompson added two bonus points to their scores. Next came the obstacle course, a thrilling event that saw French and Thompson competing head-to-head. French completed the course in 80 seconds, while Steptoe impressed with a 60-second run.
In the swimming event, Thompson competed in Heat 1, while French and Steptoe took to the pool in Heat 2. Heading into the laser run, French was positioned in 14th place, Steptoe in 15th, and Thompson in 18th. Demonstrating strong running and precise shooting, French climbed to 10th place overall. Steptoe held steady in 15th, and Thompson advanced to 16th, overtaking several competitors in the final event.
Throughout the week, the Brazilian hosts were incredibly welcoming, and the Pan American countries fostered a spirit of camaraderie and fierce competition. The event was a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the athletes involved.
Team USA Athlete- Cassandra Steptoe
