2007-08 State Olympic Distance Championships: REPORT

It was another Matt Stephens - Maria Kosztovits double.
After a fantastic day's competition on a near perfect Kingston summer's morning, Matt Stephens was the only athlete to break two hours to win the State Championship while Maria Kosztovits blitzed her competition to win yet another State Championship.

After being in the first group of triathletes to hit the beach, Matt Stephens had a good cycle leg, helped by the unfortunate flat that put Matt White out of contention, and he held on in the run leg for a comportable two minutes plus win over Shane and Ryan Johnson.

Ella Holmes led the Open women through the swim, but Maria was not far away and it was her powerful cycle and run legs that allowed her to come home a comfortable winner by almost four minutes.

The "Future Olympians" team of Rory Tink, Ryan Hunt and Josh Searle were victorious by six minutes.

In the Short Course Age-Grouper Jason Crow was first male over the line a minute and a half clear of another Age-Grouper Danny Habets, while Age-Groupers Jenese Roxby outlasted Sardie Bennett by fifty seconds in the female division. Bordertown High School ran out two and a half minute winners in the Teams division thanks largely to an outstanding run leg by Austen Pilgrim.

The Come 'n' Tri Course saw Keith Whitcher first home in a small field of six males, while Tarni Harrington held off a determined Hanne Blair in the Female division by the closest margin of the day - just seven seconds. Local team SamPhil&Joc had to replace an ill Joc at the last minute with Henry Rothall and that proved to be a winning move as he made up ground on the leaders and drew away to win well.

Congratulations to all who finished and to the medal winners, WELL DONE!!