Bremer a modern athlete, model student at academy/ Pentathlete heads for junior worlds
Mike Spence; The (Colorado Springs) Gazette, August 28, 1998

Eli Bremer knows about commitment.

Three years of tireless work helped the Monument resident rapidly develop into one of the country's top modern pentathlon prospects.

Then, Bremer went into a self-induced retirement.

Being a cadet at the Air Force Academy requires commitment, too.

Now an AFA junior, Bremer, 20, has found a happy middle ground. He is thriving as a cadet. And he's once again ranked among the country's top junior modern pentathletes.

Bremer took a break this week from the academy to compete in modern pentathlon's Junior World Championships, starting today in Prague, Czech Republic.

Bremer's goal is to finish in the top 15 after today's preliminary round, which would qualify him for Sunday's finals. In his only other appearance at worlds, Bremer failed to make the finals in 1995.

The time away from modern pentathlon apparently had little effect on Bremer. He won the U.S. junior championship earlier this summer. He also demonstrated he was a threat to this country's senior competitors, winning the swimming and riding events at the U.S. senior championship.

"I didn't do that well at seniors," Bremer said. "I was second in running and second in fencing, but I didn't do well in shooting. Shooting is my weakest event, definitely."

Bremer took up the eclectic sport that involves shooting, fencing, horseback riding, swimming and running almost by accident. He already was a standout rider, swimmer and runner six years ago when his mother, Michelle, visited with Kim and Alana Arata at a local swimming pool.

"They were really into modern pentathlon, and they talked my mom into it," Bremer said.

Soon he was training 8 hours a day, six days a week. Almost as quickly, he was the No.2-ranked junior in the United States.

However, after graduating from Lewis-Palmer High School in 1995, Bremer accepted an appointment to the academy. He figured he couldn't continue to train for the modern pentathlon and meet the school's rigorous academic demands, so he went on hiatus.

"The first two years (at the academy) are so tough," Bremer said.

He stayed in shape by joining the Air Force swim team. He also excelled academically. Bremer made the dean's list two semesters. Last year, he made the superintendent's list, which requires academic, sports and military excellence.

"I've been trying to do my best at everything," Bremer said.

He's been pleasantly surprised at the help he's received from the academy.

"I didn't do a whole lot for the first two years because I assumed I couldn't get enough support," Bremer said. "That, surprisingly, is not the case. They're giving me time off from school to go to the competitions.

"All the coaches ... are helping me out now. My instructors have been great about helping me make up the work."

Bremer plans to run cross country for the academy this fall as part of his modern pentathlon training.

"I've been getting probably about 6 hours of training in every day," Bremer said. "I've got all morning classes. After lunch, I go to the gym about 12:30 p.m. and come back up at 6:30 p.m."

Bremer said that's probably enough training for now. But as the 2000 Olympics approach, he'll need more.

At the moment, though, Bremer is looking forward to the world championships, then coming home and catching up on his schoolwork.

"It's going to be a busy fall," Bremer said. "Hopefully, I'll get my academics in shape once I get back."

- Mike Spence may be reached at 636-0365 or spence@gazette.com

ELI'S ACCOLADES

Here are some of Eli Bremer's athletic highlights:

Won U.S. junior modern pentathlete championship earlier this summer, a sport that involves shooting, fencing, horseback riding, swimming and running.

Won swimming and riding events at U.S. senior championship.