Orange Cycle and Triathlon Club (OCTC) dominated Saturday’s Triathlon NSW Club Championships at Gosling Creek Reservoir, securing three of the five available major titles.
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The Piranhas’ juniors fired, as president Michael Lockyer predicted they would in the lead-up, to claim that category’s title, while OCTC also secured the division two crown and the much-coveted country championship – presented to the best performed regional club.
Of the other major results, Sydney Triathlon Group won division three while the Hills Triathlon Club claimed its maiden overall title, sparking raucous celebrations when it was announced at the presentation evening on Saturday night.
But outside that, the day was the Piranhas’.
Connor Whiteley, the first Piranha past the post in the senior race, said the club’s home course advantage had definitely played a role in Saturday’s success.
“It’s great to have it here in orange and not have to travel. The club and Triathlon NSW have put on a great event,” he said, after finishing in a strong time of 1.34.50. He was ninth overall and fourth in his 15-19 years age group.
“We ride and swim a bit here, we train here a lot, so we put that knowledge to our advantage.”
Whiteley was chuffed with his individual performance too, although he admitted he battled a little bit on the cycle leg.
“I’m pretty happy with it. The swim was pretty good. I was able to find some clear water so it wasn’t too chaotic,” he explained.
“On the bike, the wind, I struggled a bit there ... but it’s all learning.”
Young gun Lauren Kerwick was Orange's best in the women’s category, finishing fourth overall and winning her 15-19 years division in a time of 1.45.08.
Visitors took out the top three positions in both the men’s and women’s races, Sydney Triathlon Group’s Sam Douglas, who finished second in the men’s race in 1.29.49, lauded the venue after finishing.
He was first past the post, but his time was beaten by Pete Schokman (1.27.42).
“I drove it [on Friday] night and I thought it wasn’t too bad,” Douglas said.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect. I always know there’s a few gun swimmers and that was the case. I was just happy to get out in a reasonably good position.
“Then out on the bike I looked up the road and I could see one or two guys, and I just played it safe.
“Then I held it together on the run.”
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
