Dreher's Theo Kahler talks Winthrop decision

What made you decide to commit to Winthrop?
I initially heard about the running program there from Hunter Jarvis and his parents. They had good things to say, so I decided to visit and see how I liked it. I had a great time - everyone was very welcoming and I could definitely see myself there. I liked the small liberal arts college feel along with the beautiful campus with lots of places to run. Also, the fact that Winthrop is only a little over an hour away from home and that it is very affordable are big advantages.

Interview: Thomas Sumter's Hunter Jarvis chooses Winthrop, reflects on career

What were your other top choices?
I was also looking at Denison University, DePauL University, and Franklin and Marshall College. At first, I wanted to go up north for school and was looking at some Division III schools. As the year and my running progressed, my coaches encouraged me to look into some Division I schools including Winthrop and Davidson.

What do you hope to achieve in academics and athletics?
I hope to make an immediate impact on the Winthrop team my freshman year and continue to improve throughout my time there. Academically, I would like to explore various subjects and choose a major that I find interesting.

What did you experience during each visit?
I took a few day-long visits to DePaul and Denison where I was introduced to the team, facilities and university as a whole. My only official visit was to Winthrop and I really enjoyed it. I got to see more of the university, hang out with the team and get a feel for what it is like to be a runner at Winthrop.

What would you recommend to others when choosing a college?
I recommend thoroughly researching any schools you might be interested and to visit the campus in person to truly get a feel for the college. Be open to different types of colleges, even ones you might not have heard of or initially considered. I didn't look into Winthrop until March, which was months after looking at other schools.

What does it feel like to have the decision made?
I am very excited to have my decision made. If you would have told me last year that I would be going to college as a Division I athlete I probably would have laughed at you. It's very rewarding to see my hard work paying off.

What do you hope to achieve this spring?
I hope to break 4:25 in the 1600, 9:45 in the 3200 and help my team as much as I can to win a state championship.

Looking at your career at Dreher, what will you remember the most?
I will never forget my team and all the memories we have together. We pride ourselves in being very close, and our camaraderie is a big reason why we love the sport and have been successful. The state meet this past cross country season is also one of my favorite memories. Finishing 9th and making the All-State team was a thrill and what made it even sweeter was that my team was there to race with me. We didn't qualify as a team my first year, so it was exciting to see how much we had improved over the year.

How did you get involved in the sport and why?
I started running my junior year after many years of playing soccer. I wanted to try a new sport and I always did well in the running during soccer conditioning, so I decided cross country might be a good fit. My friend William Cate had been running for a few years, so I talked with him about it and he helped introduce me to the team and to the sport. I soon fell in love with cross country and later track - deciding to run is truly one of the best decisions of my life.

What individuals in your life were involved in helping you make the decision?
My parents and sister were very involved in the college search process and encouraged me to tour a variety of colleges to find the best fit for me. My coach, Jeri Katherine Warden Sipes, also helped me with recruiting and provided advice for choosing the place where I would be most successful. She is a huge reason I have progressed so much, and I couldn't ask for a better coach.