Determined to become Baylor’s first state champion pentathlete, junior Malena Kellerman made a late-race pass to secure the Division II title Monday evening at Middle Tennessee State University.

The Lady Raiders junior led Ensworth’s Anna Bowers by 47 points going into the final event, the 800-meter run. Needing to finish within 4.5 seconds of Bowers’ time, Kellerman caught her opponent in the final 10 meters to secure first place with 3,125 points to Bowers’ 3,074.

“I told her to stay on Bowers’ outside shoulder and just keep an eye on her,” Baylor coach Bill McMahan said. “Malena is a smart athlete and did what champions do. She knew what she needed to do and made sure she was strong at the finish.”

Kellerman, a German exchange student, won the shot put and 800, finished second in the 100-meter hurdles and was third in the long jump. Her win got Baylor off to a strong start in the girls’ track and field overall team standings. The other girls’ events will be held Thursday.

GPS’s Jasmine Brown was third, while in the Class A/AA penathlon, Brainerd’s Kelli Smith was sixth.

The first day of the boys’ decathlon ended with Brainerd’s Orlandus Harris trailing Page High’s Les Gilbert by one point with five events remaining today. Harris, who finished third last year, won the 100-meter run, the 400 and the triple jump and still has the 110 hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put and 1500 run to go.

“It’s going to be a long day, and I know it won’t be easy,” said Harris, who would become Brainerd’s first state-champion decathlete. “Nobody will lay down and give me anything, so I’ll go out and fight for first.

“I’m very confident because I’ve still got a couple of my favorite events (110 hurdles and long jump) to go. Being here last year and knowing what to expect should help.”

Baylor’s Wesley Idlette is fourth in the D-II decathlon standings, while McCallie’s Ray Brown is sixth.

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