WEST CHESTER, Ohio – Three University of Denver triathletes finished in the top 10 on Saturday at the 2022 USA Triathlon Junior Elite National Championship at Voice of America Park.
Freya McKinley led the Pioneers in third place while fellow sophomores
Avarie Faulkner came in sixth and
Olivia Ebenstein in ninth in the age 18-19 race.
The sprint-distance event concluded the USAT's Development Race Series and featured a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike and a 5K run in and around VOA Lake in the West Chester Township.
McKinley was sixth out of the swim (10:12) but had a strong bike and run portion to move into a podium position. She posted the fastest pace on the bike at 23.86 miles per hour and completed the run with the best mark at 18:34, one of only two athletes to stake a sub-19 time. McKinley finished in a total time of 1:04:04 and 10 seconds ahead of Faith Dasso (1:04:14), who was the second triathlete out of the water and the first one into transition from the bike leg.
Faulkner recorded a combined time of 1:05:25, while Ebenstein finished in 1:06:43.
Naomi Ruff (1:03:22) and Gabby Martin (1:03:43) joined McKinley on the podium in first and second place, respectively.
McKinley also raced in the Mixed Team Relay on Saturday and helped Project Podium team to a silver medal (1:10:21).
Denver Triathletes
3.
Freya McKinley, 1:04:04 (10:12/32:42/18:38)
6.
Avarie Faulkner, 1:05:13 (10:27/32:23/19:50)
9.
Olivia Ebenstein, 1:06:43 (10:14/33:28/20:30)
Age 18-19 Top 10 Overall (37 finishers)
1. Naomi Ruff, 1:03:22
2. Gabby Martin, 1:03:43
3. Freya McKinley, 1:04:04
4. Faith Dasso, 1:04:14
5. Jenna Buchanan, 1:05:13
6. Avarie Faulkner, 1:05:25
7. Madison Judas, 1:05:52
8. Hope Frost, 1:06:18
9. Olivia Ebenstein, 1:06:43
10. Madison Gagnon, 1:06:58
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