ITU/PATCO North American Junior Elite Triathlon Championships Male Clermont, FL March 5, 2011
Tony Smoragiewicz, 16, a junior from Rapid City Central, finished third overall and first for the USA in the North American Junior Triathlon Championships in Clermont, Florida. Representing the USA, Smoragiewicz finished the 750 meter swim, 20k bike, and 5k run in a time of 54:14, behind Octavio Oliveros of Mexico who finished first in a time of 53:36, and Marc-Antoine Christin of Canada who finished second in 53:43. Smoragiewicz recorded the fastest run split, finishing the run portion of the race in 14:51. Visit the https://www.milesplit.com/meets/88221 for results, photos, and video from the USA Triathlon Sprint National Championships Z3 Head Coach and Founder, Jenny Weber reported “I was really impressed with the athletes that represented the Z3 team today. They were strong and confident early in the season and I was proud they were able to execute their races professionally and with a lot of guts. They encountered tough competition including new juniors who aged up from the youth ranks, so I wasn’t sure how the dynamics would play out on the field.” I was very proud of Tony for racing smart and running himself into third place overall. It’s just a great joy and pride to coach Z3 athletes. I am honored that our team represented the first American finishers. Now we are on to Edmonton [for Pan American Championships] and the rest of the season.” added Coach Weber. “The future looks very bright for this fine group of athletes. What impressed me too, is that our athletes are so professional on and off the field, they are just good people!” Fans saw similar results for the Junior Female race, where Smoragiewicz’s Z3 teammate, Tanelle Berard finished third overall and first for the USA in a time of 1:00.57 behind Mexican Andriana Bazzara who finished first in 1:00.23 and Canadian Gabrielle Edwards who finished second in a time of 1:00.37. Smoragiewicz, like national record holder Lukas Verzbicas, is among a select group of elite runners who have achieved success through cross training and a multisport lifestyle. Verzbicas made a cameo appearance in Clermont where he cheered on his Chicago based MulitSport Madness teammates, but sat out of the race in order to prepare for New Balance Indoor Nationals track meet scheduled for March 11-13 in New York City. Smoragiewicz will take a hiatis from triathlon to focus on the South Dakota track season. He i scheduled to make a return to triathlon on June 25 in Monroe, Washington for the first race in the USA Triathlon Junior Elite Cup Series. More information about the North American Junior Champions is available online at http://www.draftlegalchallenge.com/ Complete results are available at http://altavistasports.com/results/2011results/clermontJuniorelite03052011.htm To learn more about triathlon and the Youth and Junior Elite development programs visit USA Triathlon athttp://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/for-athletes/junior-junior-elite
