(April 9, 2014)

Centenary student places 22nd out of 451 in Collegiate Nationals Olympic Distance Triathlon

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary student Rachel Olson '14 placed 22nd out of 451 women in the Collegiate Nationals Olympic Distance Triathlon competition of the National Collegiate Triathlon Championships on Saturday, April 5, in Tempe, Arizona. Olson also boasted the fourth fastest swim split of the race.

The National Collegiate Triathlon Championships is a large competition, with approximately 1,250 collegiate men and women from 43 different states participating. The National Championship is a two-day competition comprised of three events: draft legal races, Olympic distance triathlon, and a sprint distance relay team race.

"It was an incredible experience," said Olson, who is a member of the Centenary Cycling and Triathlon Club. "It was one of the largest races I have ever participated in. The atmosphere was quite amazing. Also, this competition is said to be one of the most competitive triathlons in the nation so it was very exciting to be part of that."

Olson's final time in the competition was 2:09:37.22; her swim time was 19:30, her bike time was 1:06.47, and her run time was 40.33.

To qualify for the competition, Olson finished second place overall in the women's division at the South Midwest Collegiate Triathlon Conference Championships on Sunday, March 23, in Denton, Texas. During this competition she finished with the best women's swim time and the second fastest run time.

The Centenary Cycling and Triathlon Club is coached by Alan Moore, an avid cyclist since 1992. Training for the club covers running, cycling, and swimming.