Triathletes Celebrate Labor Day At TriRock Austin

Austin women dominated the Olympic-distance podium today despite hot temperatures at Monday’s TriRock Austin triathlon. Andrea Fisher (2:09:51) returned to the 2015 event to reclaim her titles from 2014 and 2012, while the 2013 female winner Tatiana Vertiz landed second in 2:14:01 and Michelle Cleveland rounded out third place seconds behind in 2:14:25.

“I had no idea where my fitness or ability were going to be today due to some injuries, and I pulled back on racing this summer a bit, so I’m really happy how it went today,” said Fisher, 43, a former All-America swimmer at the University of Texas who is currently training for the Ironman World Championship in Kona next month. “Heat is always a factor in my race plan, so it didn’t really throw me off. My competition gave me a good run for my money though, so I had to be strategically smart and strong.”

In the men’s Olympic Open Division, TCU’s Adam O’Connor had a strong lead on his opponents with quick transitions, crossing the finish line first in under two hours (1:57:52). Dallas-Fort Worth residents and teammates from Brian Loncar Racing, Korey Sessions (2:04:09) and Phillip Dudley (2:06:08) finished second and third, respectively.

In the men’s Sprint race, Round Rock’s Colton Miller (1:06:21) and David Hayes (1:06:51) finished within seconds of each other placing first and second, while third place went to Mark Wilkerson from Pflugerville who crossed the finish line in 1:07:19.

“I always try for a win, but today I felt good. Whenever I got off my bike, I felt like today would be the day I would finally get my first overall,” said Miller, who has participated in TriRock Austin Triathlon for the past two years, placing fourth in the 2013 Sprint race. “The swim is usually my strongest leg, but today I felt really good on run too. Today was great, I’ll definitely be back next year.”

Elizabeth Moorehead from Austin won the women’s Sprint race in 1:09:51. The women’s second-place Sprint finisher was Erica Harshaw from Round Rock in 1:12:26, followed by third-place finisher Kendra Waller from Pflugerville in 1:13:08.

TriRock Austin started at Auditorium Shores with a swim in Lady Bird Lake, wound through the streets of downtown including a bike down Congress Street in front of the Capitol Building. The event featured a finish line at Auditorium Shores. Athletes celebrated age-group wins with Michelob Ultra beer garden and a finish line concert.

Spectators, volunteers and upbeat music helped motivate and cheer on the Super-Sprint, Sprint, Olympic and Relay participants along the course. All participants received a finisher’s medal, technical t-shirt, red carpet finish, post-race breakfast and access to the finish line festival, concert and beer garden.

For more information about TriRock Austin Triathlon or for a full list of results, visit TriRockSeries.com.

2015 TriRock Austin Triathlon Results
Place, Name, Age, City, Time

Men’s Olympic
1. Adam O’Connor, 21, 1:57:52
2. Korey Sessions, 28, McKinney, 2:04:09
3. Phillip Dudley, 31, Grapevine, 2:06:08

Women’s Olympic
1. Andrea Fisher, 43, Austin, 2:09:51
2. Tatiana Vertiz, 27, Austin, 2:14:01
3. Michelle Cleveland, 40, Austin, 2:14:25

Men’s Sprint
1. Colton Miller, 30, Round Rock, 1:06:21
2. David Hayes, 31, Round Rock, 1:06:51
3. Mark Wilkerson, 42, Pflugerville, 1:07:19

Women’s Sprint
1. Elizabeth Moorehead, 46, Austin, 1:09:51
2. Erica Harshaw, 39, Round Rock, 1:12:26
3. Kendra Waller, 40, Pflugerville, 1:13:08