RICHMOND, Va. – Several members of the Sun Devil triathlon team competed on Sunday at the East Coast Triathlon Festival in Richmond, Va. in both the Junior Elite and CAMTRI Elite Cup races (the second of which include the U23 National Championship).
"This is such great racing experience for all our athletes' development in their quest to reach their potential as elite triathletes," said head coach Cliff English. "I am incredibly proud of this team for all their accomplishments this year in the classroom and on the race course."
In the Elite race, Kyla Roy finished in the top-10, narrowly out-sprinting teammate Katie Gorczyca, who finished just behind Roy in 11th. 2017 individual national champion Hannah Henry finished a strong 15th despite a crash on the final lap of the bike.
Charlotte Ahrens also finished a hard-fought 17th after a head-on collision on the bike with an oncoming cyclist in training prior to the race.
Rebecca Naughton and Sarah Quintero also competed in the Junior Elite race and finished 25th and 32nd, respectively, in their second-ever elite races.
"It was a very successful weekend of racing for the team in a very strong international and experienced field," continued English. "Many of our team members have goals and aspirations to represent their countries in international competitions as well as their school in the collegiate circuit this fall."
In the U23 national championship, Gorczyca placed third among US athletes with a second consecutive podium finish after finishing third in 2017.
Cat Giuseffi also finished 48th in the 78-competitor field of the USAT Junior Elite Cup.
In the Elite race, top 20 finishers score ITU (International Triathlon Union) points, which add into a points system for world rankings and selection criteria for national and world championships including Pan Ams and Olympics.
"This is such great racing experience for all our athletes' development in their quest to reach their potential as elite triathletes," said head coach Cliff English. "I am incredibly proud of this team for all their accomplishments this year in the classroom and on the race course."
In the Elite race, Kyla Roy finished in the top-10, narrowly out-sprinting teammate Katie Gorczyca, who finished just behind Roy in 11th. 2017 individual national champion Hannah Henry finished a strong 15th despite a crash on the final lap of the bike.
Charlotte Ahrens also finished a hard-fought 17th after a head-on collision on the bike with an oncoming cyclist in training prior to the race.
Rebecca Naughton and Sarah Quintero also competed in the Junior Elite race and finished 25th and 32nd, respectively, in their second-ever elite races.
"It was a very successful weekend of racing for the team in a very strong international and experienced field," continued English. "Many of our team members have goals and aspirations to represent their countries in international competitions as well as their school in the collegiate circuit this fall."
In the U23 national championship, Gorczyca placed third among US athletes with a second consecutive podium finish after finishing third in 2017.
Cat Giuseffi also finished 48th in the 78-competitor field of the USAT Junior Elite Cup.
In the Elite race, top 20 finishers score ITU (International Triathlon Union) points, which add into a points system for world rankings and selection criteria for national and world championships including Pan Ams and Olympics.