RICHMOND, VA - Members of the Hartwick Cross Country/Triathlon team posted numerous World Championship qualifying results last weekend as they competed in Richmond, Virginia at USA Triathlon's Duathlon National Championships. The Duathlon, which consisted of a 10K run, 25-mile bike, 5K run served as the qualifier for the Duathlon World Championships held in North Carolina in mid-September. This is the first time in a decade the race has been held in the US.
With temperatures climbing to 98 degrees, just under 2000 competitors took the start line last Sunday vying for the coveted top 16 showing in their respective age groups that would secure a nod for the World Championships. The top 12 from each age group automatically qualify with the top 16 also being considered. In the women's 20-24 group, 20-year old Hartwick junior Gabby Dello (Mount Upton, NY) proved her fitness with an 11th-place showing, while 20-year old freshman Laura Gray (New Windsor, NY) turned in a terrific second run to move her to 14th place.
In the men's 20-24 group, sophomore Tim Sattler (Warwick, NY) pursued the leaders throughout to finish a very strong 13th. Justin Pedersen (Gilbertsville, NY) finished 33rd, while alum Luke Sattler was 27th.
Competing for Hartwick in the 16-19 Junior race was 19-year old 'Wick freshman Erika Gates (Vestal, NY). Gates employed two very strong runs to finish 5th.
"At the end of the day," said Hartwick Coach Dereck Treadwell, "the team raced hard and we qualified 4 out of 5 athletes for the World Championships. I think everyone can be proud of that."
