The Distance Gala Report

For the past three years, American high school distance running fans have been in awe of the talents of Lukas Verzbicas (Sr., Sandburg, IL).  Verzbicas busted onto the scene as a freshman, setting national records, beating Foot Locker champion Solomon Haile in the two-mile at the Midwest Distance Gala and trumping the competition left and right, all the while being a world-class triathlete.

Turns out Verzbicas isn't the only world-class triathlete also competing in high school cross country and track and field, as triathlon teammates and fellow Illinois prep running standouts Kelly Whiley (Sr., Geneva, IL) and Kevin McDowell (Sr., Geneva, IL) joined Verzbicas this past weekend in competing at the Triathlon World Junior Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

In the men's race, McDowell edged Verzbicas for third place, earning a bronze medal and finishing the 750m swim, 19.03k bike and 5k run in 52:22.  Verzbicas, who was penalized 15 seconds at the end of the race for a penalty he received in the first transition zone, simply dominated the 5k part of the triathlon, passing over 40 athletes and finishing fourth overall in 15:36.  His time for the 5k portion of the event was 15:20.

On the women's side, Whitley led a dominant American squad, placing fourth overall in 59:20. Whitley is a two-time state runner-up in cross country in Illinois, and continues to lead the dominant Geneva program, which has qualified for Nike Cross Nationals.

USA Triathlon World Junior Championships Summary