COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 26, 2005) – U.S. age group duathletes took 11 medals away from the International Triathlon Union Duathlon World Championships on Sunday in Newcastle, Australia.

The U.S. women won seven medals, including two gold, while the men secured four medals.

The women’s charge was led by Laura Nappa (Baltimore, Md.), who took gold in the women’s 25-29 age group. She completed the 10k run, 40k bike and 5k run in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 5 seconds. Her time was also good enough for a ninth-place overall finish.

Pat Fossum (Montgomery, Ala.), the lone finisher in the women’s 70-74 age group, won her gold medal with a time of 3:50:27.

Silver medal winners for the women included Suzanne Huelster (Riverton, N.J.), who took second in the 30-34 category in 2:23:23. Huelster also finished fifth overall and was the first U.S. female finisher.

Barb Morgan (Tioga, Pa.), won silver in the women’s 60-64 age group with a time of 3:22:46.

On the men’s side, Steve Pyle (Riverside, Conn.) won the silver medal in the 45-49 age group, finishing in 2:11:07. Ed Bixenstine (Kent, Ohio) took second in the 75-79 age group in 3:36:30.

Women’s bronze medalists were Christine Knight (Louisville, Colo.) in the 35-39 age group (2:24:24), Kristin Villopoto (Chapel Hill, N.C.) in the 45-49 age group (2:28:35) and Cheryl Hart (Louisville, Ky.) in the 50-54 age group (2:39:00). Knight finished sixth overall among the age group women.

Men’s bronze medalists were David Walters (Lisle, Ill.) in the 50-54 age group (2:18:47) and Don Ardell (St. Petersburg, Fla.) in the 65-69 age group (2:36:06).

Steven Garza (San Jose, Calif.), who finished 10th in the men’s 25-29 age group, was the top U.S. men’s age group finisher overall in 29th (2:09:50).

Triathlon world medalist Laura Bennett (North Palm Beach, Fla.) was the top elite, placing sixth behind women’s elite winner Michelle Dillon of Great Britain.

Eric Schwartz (Boulder, Colo.) was the top U.S. elite men’s finisher. Paul Amey of Great Britain won the men’s elite race.

The U.S. junior men also did well as Denton Jones (Knoxville, Tenn.) placed 15th and Andy Edick (Sumner, Wash.) placed 18th.

For complete results and times, go to www.triathlon.org.

USA Triathlon is the national governing body for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. For more information on this and other stories related to USA Triathlon, please contact communications and media relations manager B.J. Hoeptner Evans at 719-597-9090, ext. 105 or at BJ@USATriathlon.org. USA Triathlon’s web site is www.usatriathlon.org.