Posted: Sep 24, 2022
Stony Point, N.Y. - On a colder than usual fall Saturday morning, the St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Triathlon team took on Northeast's best collegiate triathletes in the Toughman Race, held at Harriman State Park.
Due to toxic algae blooms within Lake Welch, the course was changed to a duathlon (run, bike, run) format.
Once Again, the Spartans started out strong, as sophomore Hanna Jung was in the second position after the first run, with junior Phoebe Hemmerling not far behind.
However, then things got interesting. Confusion on the bike course, with much of the lead group being directed off course, led to a crash that unfortunately involved Hemmerling. Phoebe finished the bike portion, but decided not to continue due to an ankle injury sustained in the earlier collision.
Jung continued on, in what appeared to be a solid 2nd place, but additional confusion surrounding the race because of the detours caused Hanna to actually finish third, as per event officials.
"Spartans on the podium is what we're after", said Coach Jeff Boyer in the post race debrief. "It only took two races to get there, so we couldn't be more thrilled!"
STAC will next compete in the Treasure Island Sprint on Sunday, October 2 (8:00 a.m.) in Point Pleasant, N.J.
Coach Boyer and Spartans invite everyone to come out and see the team in action, with it being only a short drive from Sparkill to the Jersey Shore.