Kiley Austin-Young wins Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon for 2nd year in a row

DRUMS — Organizers of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon made a change to the swim course at Beech Mountain Lakes for the second edition of the annual race.

But there was no change at the top of the finishers list as Kiley Austin-Young swam, biked and ran his way to a second consecutive victory.

“I was just trying keep my own pace,” the 31-year-old Drums resident said.

He was never seriously challenged, finishing in 2 hours, 1 minute and 27.1 seconds. He more than seven minutes ahead of the second-place finisher.

Kristin Buchholz, of Drums, was the overall women’s winner in similar fashion, finishing in 2:33:25.5, more than 15 minutes ahead of second-place finisher Alissa Swarts, of Greenfield Township. Swarts, 38, finished in 2:48.41.4. Ann Zoranski, 46 of Kingston, finished third in 2:50:24.1.

On the men’s side, the race for second place was much closer as the next three finishers after Austin-Young finished within two minutes of each other.

Sean Robbins, 48 of Dallas, finished second in 2:08:52.1, while Timmy Samec, 24 of Drums, finished third in 2:09:21.9. Eric Shaver, 26 of Dallas, finished fourth in 2:11:20.4.

Austin-Young was never seriously challenged. He was the first one to climb out of Beech Mountain Lake, completing the 1,500-meter swim in 23:08. It was more than a full minute later until Shaver was the second one out of the lake, finishing his swim in 24:20.

He admitted he didn’t “feel great” during the 22.5-mile bike portion of the event, but he still posted the fastest time of anyone at the race, finishing in 56:38. Only David Sedelnick, 35 of New York, came close to Austin-Young’s bike time, finishing in 56:40. He finished eighth overall in 2:18:52.4.

Austin-Young finished off the event with the fastest time in the run, completing two laps of the 3.1-mile course in 39:39.

Buchholz completed the swim in 31:53, the bike in 1:04:53 and the run in 26:47.8.

The event — which featured a single transition area and used Honey Hole Road for the bike course — drew 116 athletes.

Results

Overall

1. Kiley Austin-Young, 2:01:27.7

2. Sean Robbins, 2:08:52.1

3. Timmy Samec, 2:09:21.9

4. Eric Shaver, 2:11:20.4

5. Kenny Quigley, 2:11:42.6

6. Alex Saba, 2:13:55.2

7. Kenny Roman, 2:17:28.5

8. David Sedelnick, 2:18:52.4

9. John Orloski, 2:19:22.5

10. Christopher Good, 2:19:24.1

Female

1. Kristin Buchholz, 2:33:25.5

2. Alissa Swarts, 2:48:41.4

3. Ann Zoranski, 2:50:24.1

4. Candace Mccolligan, 2:51:51.5

5. Johnna Mcgovern, 2:53:11.7

6. Colleen Morda, 2:56:42.0

7. Vicki Treese, 2:58:05.4

8. Sara Sadowski, 2:58:35.7

9. Megan Azar, 3:00:00.

10. Jacquelyn Golden, 3:01:28.5

AquaBike

1. Sarah Leskosky, 1:38:20.3

2. Joseph Cammisa, 1:51:20.1

3. Bradley Damschen, 1:53:58.5

4. Nora Whittaker Jones, 1:59:05.6

5. Paul Broody, 2:03:48.1

Johnna McGovern, of Ashley, heads out of the transition area during the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon on Sunday. McGovern finished first in the 20-24 age group.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_tri8_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJohnna McGovern, of Ashley, heads out of the transition area during the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon on Sunday. McGovern finished first in the 20-24 age group. Fred Adams | Times Leader

Alyson Manley sprints out of the water.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_tri7_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAlyson Manley sprints out of the water. Fred Adams | Times Leader

Alex Blahosky runs out of the transition area of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_tri6_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAlex Blahosky runs out of the transition area of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon. Fred Adams | Times Leader

Kiley Austin-Young, of Drums, races to the finish line of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon in Drums on Sunday. Austin-Young was the top overall finisher.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_tri5_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgKiley Austin-Young, of Drums, races to the finish line of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon in Drums on Sunday. Austin-Young was the top overall finisher. Fred Adams | Times Leader

Kristin Buchholz celebrates as she crosses the finish line as the first female finisher of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon on Sunday in Drums.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_tri4_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgKristin Buchholz celebrates as she crosses the finish line as the first female finisher of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon on Sunday in Drums. Fred Adams | Times Leader

Sean Robbins, of Dallas, was the third swimmer out of the water in the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_tri2_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgSean Robbins, of Dallas, was the third swimmer out of the water in the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon. Fred Adams | Times Leader

Racers begin the swim portion of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon on Sunday at Beech Mountain Lakes in Drums.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_tri1_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgRacers begin the swim portion of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon on Sunday at Beech Mountain Lakes in Drums. Fred Adams | Times Leader

Kiley Austin-Young heads out on the bike portion of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_tri3_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgKiley Austin-Young heads out on the bike portion of the Strive 2.0 Olympic Triathlon. Fred Adams | Times Leader