Content
Three USC triathletes take on world
A decision to study exercise science at the University of the Sunshine Coast combined with a switch from soccer to triathlon has put Brodie Gardner on track for success.
The 22-year-old from Mooloolaba is one of three USC students selected in the Triathlon Australia team for the international titles to be held on the Gold Coast in September.
Brodie will join Buderim 19-year-olds Chloe Turner and Strachan Kerswill to compete in their respective age divisions at the 2009 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships.
The USC students will be among 3000 athletes, including Olympians, from 42 countries at the festival from 9-13 September.
“I’m pretty stoked,” said Brodie, a former footy player who had been unsure of his career path after moving to Brisbane when he finished Nambour State High.
Now in the third year of his Bachelor of Science (Sport and Exercise Science) degree, Brodie is looking forward to working in the industry after graduating.
“I came back from Brisbane because I wanted to do that USC course,” he said. “The knowledge I’ve gained has helped with my training programs. I’ve learned how to work on your aerobic system, different training methods.”
Brodie is aiming for the top 10 in his men’s 20-24-year-old category on the Gold Coast, gaining confidence from his third placing in the open men’s event of the Australian University Championships at the recent Mooloolaba Triathlon.
Chloe also is aiming high in her women’s 18-19-year-old category.
“I won two selection races, in Adelaide and Canberra, and came fourth in my third race,” she said. “Mooloolaba was separate, but I got first in my age group there and ninth female overall.
“It’ll be really exciting to compete in front of a home crowd. Last year the world champs were held in Canada.”
Chloe, who went to St John’s College at Nambour, is in the first year of her Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science.
“I knew it was a really good program at USC and eventually I’ll apply what I learn to my own sport. All my teachers are really good. It also means I can stay on the Coast and train with the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy.”
Chloe and Brodie were selected for the Olympic distance category, which involves a 1500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run. Strachan will compete over a Sprint Distance, which is half of the Olympic.
Strachan, who went to Nambour Christian College, started doing triathlons when he was just 10.
He is determined to do well in the sprint although he was disappointed that his birthdate put him in the 20-24-year age category. “I’ll still be 19 when I compete on the Gold Coast,” he said.
Strachan is enjoying his Bachelor of Sport and Industry at USC. “USC has good sporting facilities and I want to make sport my job,” he said.
— Julie Gatehouse