Former Dutch decathlon star in international competition
Central Dutch Athletics
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY — In the 24th edition of the Thorpe Cup, Central College alum Kurtis Brondyke ’11 earned a top-five finish with 7,595 points in the international decathlon competition.
The Thorpe Cup is an annual competition between the United States and Germany in the men’s decathlon and the women’s heptathlon. Seven men and women from each country compete on an individual and team basis.
Brondyke was just five points shy of his winning effort of 7,600 points set at the Drake Relays, resulting in his fifth-place finish. He set his career-best score of 7,746 points at the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships earlier this summer.
Enahoro Ituah of Germany won the individual competition with 8,028 points. In the team standings, Germany outpaced the Americans 38,642 points to 37,321 points. In fourth place, Scott Filip had 7,632 points as the top-finishing American.
In the women’s competition, Missouri Valley, Iowa native Alex Goechenour won the heptathlon with 5,898 points. Gochenour guided the American women to the title with 17,461 points, compared to the 16,280 points put up by Germany.
It’s the third time Brondyke has competed in the event. He previously finished fourth in 2016 and 11th in 2015.The United States holds a 14-10 series lead over Germany in the event.
