Fourth Estate Contributor Aaron P. McCray
Mason Triathlon completed its season last weekend in Tempe, Arizona, where four Mason students were sent to compete at USAT Collegiate Nationals.
Leading the way for the Patriots was John Baldwin, who finished 143rd overall with a time of 2:02:48.
“The atmosphere was awesome,” Baldwin said. “So many college athletes being masochistic together.”
Following behind Baldwin was junior Christian Jacky, who came in at 2:33:16. Freshman Brian Quintana clocked in at 2:46:01, despite popping two tires on the bike leg. Alyssa Bilewski, the only female competitor for Mason, finished with a time of 3:02:12.
Quintana described the swim portion of the competition as being more physical than any other race he has completed.
“Got kicked and pushed around a lot,” Quintana said. “It was more about survival.”
The Sonoran desert climate also played a factor for the athletes.
“I think we underestimated the weather conditions,” Bilewski said. “But if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”
Jacky looks forward to doing it all again next year. This race tops off an excellent year for the club who will be hungry for more next season.
