Theo Teszler ’28, hailing from Newton, MA, is a sophomore who is coming off a superb first-year induction into college track and field. The sprinter boasts a 48.31-second program-record performance in the 400-meter race. While carrying out this career best in the 2025 outdoor season, Teszler took second in the 4×400-meter relay at the Centennial Conference Championships and third at the Widener Final Qualifier in the 400m. He also runs the 60m and 200m, with career bests of 7.31 and 22.80, respectively. During his 2025 indoor season, Teszler finished third in the 400m and competed in the 200m, 4x200m, and 4x400m in conferences and finished third in the Widener Indoor Classic with a program-record time of 49.23 in the 400m. On top of this, he also won the Seamus McElligott Invite with a 400m time of 51.65, and came in third in the 400m (49.72) in the Widener Winter Evening Invite.
In early February, Teszler broke a 30-year-old program record in the 200m with a time of 22.39, and improved upon his former program best in the 400m to a time of 49.10. Teszler is building upon a stupendous first-year season and is ready to take the Centennial Conference by storm in his second season of collegiate track and field.
Katie Kerman: Congratulations on setting two new program records during the Widener Schuylkill Showcase! What was your initial reaction, and what does this milestone mean to you and the team?
Theo Teszler: Going into the meet, my goal was definitely to get both [records] that day. The most exciting part for me is finally starting to figure out the 200m race, which has also been weaker compared to my 400m. At first, I was told that I might’ve been DQ’d from the 200m, which was a bit of a shock. But, once that was figured out, it was a huge relief. I’m hoping to go faster at the next Penn meet in both events, but these times have me feeling good leading into conferences. I’m hoping to score good points in the 400m and 200m for the team.
KK: Now in your second year of collegiate track, what meets or team trips are you most excited for this season? What was your favorite memory from the previous season?
TT: This year, I’m definitely looking forward to the team’s annual Myrtle Beach trip during Spring Break, and to hopefully experience some nicer weather. I would say my favorite memory so far would be outdoor conferences my first year. It was the biggest meet of my life, and it was cool to compete at that level.
KK: Indoor conference meets are now in full swing. What are some shared goals the team is aiming to accomplish by the end of the regular season?
TT: At conferences, we really want to have a solid 4×200- and 4×400-meter relays, and beyond that, [our goal] is for the team to score all the points it can.
KK: What specific habits, coaching or mentorship, and support helped you improve upon your former program record time in the 400m?
TT: The biggest thing for me has been taking all the steps possible to stay healthy, and if you can figure that out, everything else comes much easier. Compared to last year, I’ve become a much stronger athlete in the gym, and I feel like that has helped me a lot in the 400m and 200m.
KK: If you were to do another event in track and field, which would you want to do and why?
TT: To be honest, the 400m is by far my favorite track event, and I don’t think I’d have it any other way. I will say it would be cool to be good in the 100m. It’s also super fun to watch, and the most well-known track event.
KK: Finally, in light of Valentine’s Day coming up, do you have a favorite rom-com?
TT: As someone not well-versed in the genre, I’m going to say “Little Italy.” It’s definitely not a good movie in the slightest, but it’s for sure entertaining.
