West Point Tri Wins Another NECTC Championship

Rookies lead the way

     For the second week in a row, the triathlon team overcame challenging weather to dominate their competition.  This past weekend, West Point Triathlon bested 17 other collegiate triathlon teams to win the 2009-2010 Northeast Collegiate Triathlon Conference (NECTC) Championships (see picture)  Despite sending only team captain Bryan Lagasse and ten rookie team members, both the men and women finished at the top of their collegiate divisions. 

place 

    The NECTC Championship race took place in Montauk, New York.  On race day, Montauk resembled more of a rainforest during monsoon season than a vacation resort destination.  The hard rain started early and did not relent, making for rough seas and a treacherous bike route.  However, the team was unfazed, taking four of the top six men positions and two of the top five female positions.

place 

    The team was led by captain Bryan Lagasse.  Bryan was one of only two athletes to complete the course in under one-hour.  Plebe Alex Habecker (used an improved bike split to finish 3rd overall. 

place 

    The men's strong performances did not end there.  Nate Pendleton, E2 set the tone with the best swim split in the entire field and sprinted down the homes stretch to tie for 4th.  Dan Livolsi, C3, continued to show strong to and finished 6th.

place 

     The West Point female contingent did not seem to miss their veteran team members.  MacKenzie "Macka" Vaughn, ’13, finished third in her first NECTC Championships.  Sarah Haight, ’13 finished 5th.  Shaye Haver (11th), Katie Miller (14th) and Vanessa Mose (16th) used improvement swim and bike times to help lead the team to victory.

place 

    Alex Habecker and Sarah Haight also won the NECTC Awards for “best young Triathletes.”  The team performance guaranteed a spot at the USAT Collegiate Nationals next April in Lubbock, TX.