PORT Macquarie Triathlon Club’s Samuel Lewis and Lachlan Philpott put in exceptional performances at the 23rd School Sport Australia Triathlon Championships at Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith Lakes last week.
The championships gave the junior triathletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level.
Sam and Lachie, who came away with a bronze medal, aim to represent Australia in future national teams.
This event has attracted the likes of Olympic gold medallist Emma Snowsill, bronze medallists Emma Moffat and Erin Densham, and Olympians Courtney Atkinson, Craig Mottram and Luke Mackenzie.
On Thursday 40 boys from every state and territory contested the intermediate division individual event, which comprises ages 15 to 16 years and is held over a 600 metre swim, a 16 kilometre cycle and a four kilometre run. With continuing rain and cold weather, both boys had to be at their best.
Lewis made a flying start, coming out of the swim in seventh place in a time of eight minutes 30 seconds. His bike was excellent, clocking a time of 27 minutes 51 seconds and his run of 14 mins 43 secs gained him 16th place overall and third New South Wales boy over the line.
Philpott was thrilled to be competing in his first national championship, coming out of the swim in 17th position in a time of nine mins 17 secs and held this spot on the bike with a time of 26 mins 57 secs. His run of 15 mins 38 secs placed him in 21st position overall.
Better results were to come on Friday for both boys, who were selected to represent the NSW Intermediate Boys team, which was announced at the championship dinner on Thursday night.
Sam was selected as the swimmer and Lachie as the cyclist. They were joined by the Central Coast’s James Cox, the chosen runner.
Going into the event with slim chances of a podium finish due to fierce competition from Western Australia, Queensland and Victorian teams, the boys prevailed with the race of their lives.
Lewis swam magnificently, completing the 600m swim in a time of eight mins 7 secs, posting a time 23 secs faster than his individual effort the previous day.
He was the second fastest, giving the team a 46 second buffer to the third place with only WA in front.
Philpott then rode on average two km per hour faster than he did on the previous day and held onto the third position with WA and Victoria now in front with Qld in fourth, and SA in fifth.
Qld had the fastest 16 year old runner in Australia to come next. James Cox from the Central Coast was quickly overtaken by the Queenslander who ran his team into the silver medal position. Cox however stuck to his guns and ran down the Victorian runner to take the NSW team into third place.
This was an excellent way for the boys to finish their Australian championships campaign winning their first national championship medal.
Sam and Lachie were presented with their bronze medal at the closing ceremony and were both ecstatic with the outcome. Both boys represented their state with pride, co-operated with all officials, showing respect at all times and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
