Posted by
Bryant Howard
-
Sun, Jul 13, 2008
- [
Men's Cross Country
] - Viewed 211 times
FOREST GROVE, OR. - Cascade Sophomore Eric Lagerstrom added another overall victory to his collection of triathlon successes in 2008 by claiming the top step of the podium at the Hagg Lake Triathlon in Forest Grove this weekend.
The event, held at the venue that will play host to the 2008 USA Triathlon National Championship later in the summer, was meant to be a training session and course preview, so the victory was simply icing on the cake.
After the race Eric commented, "This will be a good confidence booster knowing that I was able to handle the course well. From a training standpoint I feel like this will set me up to come back in September and be competitive for a National Championship."
After the 750 meter swim Lagerstrom lead all competitors by more than a minute and set out on the 20 kilometer (12.4 mile) bike section intent on increasing that lead. "I got a little too aggressive on the first part of the bike and went a little bit too fast. I focussed on form and cadence so overall I was happy with how the bike went." By the time he headed out for the run his lead had swelled to more than three minutes over his closest chasers. Going into the run he added, "It took a while for my legs to 'switch over' and I had to focus to make it over the first hill but after that I felt really strong and fluid."
Eric's summer is off to a strong start having claimed the top spot at the University of Oregon's "Duck Bill Thrill" back in May and earning a Bronze Medal at the International Triathlon Union's World Championships in Vancouver, British Columbia last month. He will now focus his training toward the USA Triathlon National Championships on September 20th where he hopes to improve upon the Silver Medal he earned in 2007.
Lagerstrom is also looking forward to running with his new Cascade team-mates this fall noting, "I am really excited about running with the guys we have coming in this fall. I love Triathlons, but there's nothing better than running with a great bunch of guys and we definitely have some great guys coming in this fall."
Complete results for the Hagg Lake Triathlon can be found at: www.racecenter.com
Cascade College is a four-year, private, co-educational liberal arts college emphasizing spiritual growth and career preparation. Cascade College offers a close academic community within a vibrant metropolitan area. Cascade is a branch campus of Oklahoma Christian University. The 12-acre campus is located within the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon just ten minutes from Portland International Airport, near the Metropolitan Area Express train system (MAX) and a short drive fromstunning natural attractions such as the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Mt. Hood, Multnomah Falls, and the Oregon coast.
