NMMI Sports Press

Bronco cross-country runner and pentathlete Charlotte Ahaus recently signed on to fence at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, where she will join older sister Viktoria and train under the tutelage of renowned coach John Moreau.

Back in October, at the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne 2022 Pentathlon Junior World Championships in Poland, the Ahaus sisters finished first for Team USA in the fencing portion of the competition and had strong performances in the other disciplines to finish fifth in the women's relay.

UIW came calling for Viktoria soon after, but it was a harder decision for Charlotte, who is a freshman and was hesitant to leave her first American home behind.

"NMMI has helped me become a better person and athlete and it was a struggle deciding to leave early," she said. "I loved my coaches here and they really became like family, so I know we will always stay in touch."

Ahaus trained under NMMI's longtime do-all coach and 1980 Olympic bronze winner Jan Olesinski, and Olesinski's protégé, Bronco cross-country coach and 2016 Olympian Nathan Schrimsher.

Schrimsher said Ahaus was a joy to coach and while he's a little sad he won't have her on his cross-country team for another year, he's excited to see what she will accomplish at an NCAA Division I program.

"She's just a great athlete and a great person. She came here from Germany to a new culture and really worked hard to do well in the classroom and in her sport," Schrimsher said. "Of course I wouldn't want to hold her back from pursuing her dreams, but she will be missed around here. But I'm sure we'll see each other around. The pentathlon world is small."

Ahaus plans to study business and hopes to stay at UIW until she earns a Master of Business Administation. She is also excited about rejoining big sister Viktoria, who graduated from NMMI in December.

"I love being teammates with my sister," she said. "We know how to push each other and when I train with her, I always feel like I'm getting better."

Ahaus said she will miss her cross-country team, which consisted of herself and Viktoria and two Roswell natives, who helped make her transition to the United States easier and enjoyable.

"I learned a lot from them, especially about the local culture," Ahaus explained. "They always explained things to me and never judged me. We became friends and spent time together outside of practice and competition. They made me feel more at home."