Theodore Elsenbaumer exploded onto the Chico State track & field scene last week, scoring the eighth best decathlon in school history and eclipsing the NCAA Championships Automatic Qualifying Mark with 7,010 points at the Chico Multi Event Classic at University Stadium.
Elsenbaumer, this week’s Wildcat of the Week, finished a very close second behind teammate and defending NCAA Champion J P Smith in his first event in a Chico State uniform. The transfer from Ventura Community College, who redshirted last season, punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships in Pueblo, Colo., May 23-25.
He and Smith have the only two men in the nation to have done so already.
So how did he do it? With personal-record times in six of the 10 events: the 100 meters (11.36), 400 meters (50.03), 1500 meters (4:25.60), pole vault (13-feet-11), shot put (36-11.75), and discus (125-0).
Elsenbaumer has added his name to the exciting story surrounding Chico State decathletes.
He joins Smith, assistant coach Trevor Papp, and Redshirting junior John Brunk to comprise four of the top eight decathlon marks in school history.
