Sport
7 March, 2025
Triathletes breaking records
AFTER a stellar performance at the School Triathlon State Championships, a group of talented Cairns athletes from the Peninsula team has secured spots on the Queensland representative team which will compete in Western Australia this March.
Although not the most popular sport, triathlon and aquathlon keep growing in the region with the juniors securing the future of the sport as they continue to excel. This year they broke their own record by getting five juniors in the Queensland rep team at the state championship in Hervey Bay.
Cairns athletes Riley Brennan, Harley Sweeper, siblings Ash Mayes and Ella Mayes and Verety Pickford, all between the ages of 11 and 18, have been selected for the Queensland team which will compete in the schools national championship in Western Australia from March 23-27.
Ella Mayes, 14, and Ash Mayes, 12, both qualified for the nationals. Miss Mayes said it was an exciting opportunity to represent Cairns in a national competition.
“It was an awesome experience, it’s still a bit surreal what I actually did but it’s very exciting,” Miss Mayes said.
“It’s such a good competition, a good vibe competing down there (Hervey Bay) with everyone and they all have elite tri squads down there so it’s a good feeling when you come out on top out of all the other triathletes.”
“I love doing it, representing Cairns and Queensland,” Master Mayes said.
The pair are looking forward to giving their all in nationals.
“This is my second year doing triathlon,” Miss Mayes said.
“It’s very different to all the other sports that I compete in. I feel like I love all three of the disciplines, and I just love how they all tie together. Not many people do this sport, so it’s pretty cool.
“I think the bike is probably my best discipline. Right now we’re training a lot especially with an event as big as nationals, so we just have to lock in for the next couple of weeks and train as hard as we can.”
One of the Peninsula team’s coaches, well-known local triathlon athlete and founder of IGNITE Endurance Nick Carling, said it was momentous for the region.
“This is the best ever result we’ve ever had with kids from the Peninsula team making it into the Queensland team,” he said. “Previously we’ve had one or two that make it each year, so this year’s results are pretty amazing.
“I feel like triathlon will only continue to get bigger and better. The results we’ve seen from the kids are better and stronger and we’re seeing an influx of kids coming through.
“We’re trying to grow the opportunities for the juniors and give them more opportunities to prosper in the sport.”
Peninsula team results:
Seniors Triathlon
Chloe White 13th
Emil Skou 34th
Intermediate Triathlon - Girls
Verety Pickford 6th - qualified for Qld team
Intermediate Triathlon - Boys
Jackson Starmer 41st
Marlon Sandoval 45th
Luke Swindale DNF
Juniors Triathlon - Girls
Ella Mayes 2nd - qualified for Qld team
Alexis Wood 19th
Halle Cygler 25th
Laura Wood 33rd
Olivia Stork 55th
Junior Triathlon - Boys
Harley Sweeper 8th - qualified for Qld team
Ash Mayes 11th - qualified for Qld team
Charlie D’Addonna 14th
Oliver Whiteside 40th
Clancy Ross 65th
Aquathlon
Riley Brennan 8th - qualified for Qld team
Mary Wood 9th
Skyla Papworth 36th
