(Coaches Edit) - Excellent results from the NTC dev squad (see below for full press release). Special mention to Kyla Coates for winning the PATCO Junior Elite women's event, Andrew McCartney for the bronze medal in the U23 race, Kerry for 5th overall in the women's elite race.. Everyone raced strong - well done guys!!
CANADIAN TRIATHLETES STORM PODIUM WINNING FOUR MEDALS IN JUNIOR AND UNDER-23 RACES AT PATCO PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS INOKLAHOMA CITY
—Coates wins junior women’s race, Hammond claims silver in men’s junior race—
OKLAHOMA CITY, U.S.A—Canada’s next generation of Olympic triathlon heroes stormed the podium by winning four medals in men’s and women’s races at the PATCO Triathlon Pan American Championships in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Saturday.
Victoria’s Kyla Coates set the pace early in the junior race consisting of the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and five-kilometre run, to post one of Canada’s best-ever overall showings at the PATCO Championships by winning the women’s race under cool and very difficult morning conditions with a time of one hour six minutes and 30 seconds (1:06:30).
The 19-year-old Coates, who finished fourth at last year’s event, surpassed her expectations with a career-best result which was set up when she took advantage of some open water to bolt her way into the lead pack heading into the bike. Coates controlled the pack on the bike and hammered home the gold medal in with a solid performance in the run.
“This is a great day and my best race ever especially because I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Coates. “It was such a smooth race and things felt effortless today so I am really happy. After last year’s finish, I really wanted to win today.”
Coates was joined on the podium in the junior women’s division by teammate, Marianne Hogan, of Bedford, Que., who grabbed the bronze with a time of 1:07:06. Rocio Enriquez, of Mexico was sandwiched between the two Canucks in second at 1:06:34.
As the gun blasted to start the junior men’s race, it was Connor Hammond, of London, Ont., leading the charge for the maple leaf. The 19-year-old Hammondperfected his pre-race strategy to capture the silver medal with a time of 58:29.
“My goal today was to make my way into the lead pack out of the swim into the transition, and I’m thrilled I was able to do that,” said Hammond, who added a steady bike and strong run spurred him onto the silver medal position of the podium. “I definitely surpassed my expectations today. This is a phenomenal result for me and I am very happy.”
Hammond’s stellar performance was overshadowed by a brilliant gold-medal race by 16-year-old Luka Verzbicas, of the United States, who is one of the fastest runners in the sport of triathlon today. Verzbicas clocked a winning time of 58:03. Benjamin Kanute, of the United States, rounded out the junior men’s podium in third spot at 58:29.
Meanwhile, Victoria’s Andrew McCartney completed Canada’s medal-haul after posting the third-fastest time in the men’s under-23 division, while finishing 12th in the elite race. McCartney finished the 1.5-kilometre swim, 40-kilometre bike and 10-kilometre run with a time of 1:57:20. Andrew Yorke, of Caledon, Ont., was fourth in the under-23 category after finishing 16th in the elite race with a time of 1:58:14.
The Americans stole the show in men’s elite racing. Matty Reel finished on top with a time of 1:52:23, while his teammates, Hunter Kemper (1:52:24), and Timothy O’Donnell (1:52:37), finished second and third respectively.
Victoria’s Kerry Spearing led the way for the Canadians in the elite women competition. Spearing clocked a fifth-place time of 2:09:41. Mary Beth Ellis, of the United States, finished on top at 2:05:35.
Other top-10 finishes for Canadian athletes on Saturday included: Victoria’s Christine Ridenour in seventh (1:08:08) in junior women’s racing. In the junior men’s division, Ian Donald, of Nepean, Ont., was fourth (58:37), while Victoria’s Aaron Thomas (59:20), and Matt Sharpe (59:25) finished seventh and eighth respectively.Ottawa’s Tenille Hoogland was seventh in the elite women’s race at 2:09:41.
Canada’s top junior triathletes will now prepare for the opening event of the three-race Teck National Junior Series on June 7 in Birds Hill Park, Manitoba.
Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in the country. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us atwww.triathloncanada.com on the Internet.
Complete PATCO Championship Results : www.onlineraceresults.com
Top-Five Junior Women’s and Canadian Results:
1. Kyla Coates, Victoria, CAN, 1:06:30; 2. Rocio Enriquez, MEX, 1:06:34; 3. Marianne Hogan, Bedford, Que., CAN, 1:07:06; 4. Rachel Edwards, Saskatoon, CAN, 1:07:27; 5. Jenn Howlard, USA, 1:07:38.
Other Canadian Results:
7. Christine Ridenour, Victoria, 1:08:08; 14. Marita Malo, Manitoba, 1:09:24; 18. Stevie Moore, Manitoba, 1:10:26; 19. Rebecca Staynor, North Vancouver, 1:10:34; 20. Joanna Brown, Ontario, 1:10:57; 22. Emily Wood, Cole Harbour, N.S., 1:11:17; 24. Abby Miller, Saskatoon, 1:11:36; 28. Alexandra Coates, Vancouver, 1:12:09.
Top-Five Junior Men’s and Canadian Results:
1.Lukas Verzbicas, USA, 58:03; 2. Connor Hammond, London, Ont., CAN, 58:29; 3. Benjamin Kanute, USA, 58:29; 4. Ian Donald, Nepean, Ont., CAN, 58:37; 5. Matheus Dinz, BRA, 59:00.
Other Canadian Results:
7. Aaron Thomas, Victoria, 59:20; 8. Matt Sharpe, Victoria, 59:25; 12. Cole Stewart, Vancouver, 59:53; 18. Joshua Drad, Stonewall, Man., 1:00:48; 19. Tyler Bredschneider, Caledon, Ont., 1:00:54; 20. Marc-Antoine Christin, Valdreuil-Dorio, Que., 1:01:14.
Top-Five Elite Women and Canadian Results:
1.Mary Beth Ellis, USA, 2:05:35; 2. Jenna Shoemaker, USA, 2:05:35; 3. Jennifer Spieldenner, USA, 2:08:23; 4. Becky Lavelle, USA, 2:08:41; 5. Kerry Spearing,Victoria, CAN, 2:09:06.
Other Canadian Results:
7. Tenille Hoogland, Ottawa, 2:09:41; 16. Dorelle Hinton, Guelph, Ont.; 19. Martina Wan, Vancouver, 2:19:19.
Top-Five Elite Men and Canadian Results:
1. Matty Reel, USA, 1:52:23; 2. Hunter Kemper, 1:52:24; 3. Timothy O’Donnell, USA, 1:52:37: 4. Matt Chrabot, USA, 1:53:32; 5. Benjamin Collins, USA, 1:54:49.
Other Canadian Results:
12. Andrew McCartney, Victoria, 1:57:20; 16. Andrew Yorke, Caledon, Ont., 1:58:14; 19. Andrew Russell, Vancouver, 1:58:46; 25. Andre Paul Baillargeo, Quebec, 2:00:52; 30. Austin Horn, Victoria, 2:02:16; 34. Jeff Phillips, Victoria, 2:03:35; 37. Patrice Hamelin, Drummondville, Que., 2:04:50.
*****
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Triathlon Canada
T: 281-703-4394
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