On March 22nd, 2 dozen athletes representing UCSD Triathlon embarked on a journey to race in San Louis Obispo at the infamous Lopez Lake. Here, we sought to conquer 1 of 2 for the season and for many, their first olympic distance triathlon. All the training we've put in over the last 6 months would be put to the test. Would our bodies hold up to the cold? to the distance? to the hills and rollers? We arrived at the lake camp grounds friday afternoon and set up our camp. We rested and relax until the next morning when we got straight to race mode. It was time to compete. All the athletes prepared their gear and bikes and walk on over to the lake, just 300meters away. We set up our transitions like any other race except it wasn't any other race. Our Coach, Zack, gave us pep talks, race strategies until the very last moment. The men were first, their wave going off at 8am. The women followed shortly after. It was a long 3 hours but everyone got through it alive. Once we bathed in our endorphins, we quickly rounded up and gathered around the podium where they announced top finishers and top teams. Soon afterward, we left for San Diego and for many students, off to spring break.

Joanna Coker for the women got 3rd place! Dmitriy Major for the men in 4th place. Team overall standings once all said and done: 4th place in the conference. A few flats and a crash on the bike but everyone made it out feeling proud of themselves.