Forester Freshman Set to Compete in World Triathlon Championships
Chris Wiatr is ranked fifth nationally among 16 to 19-year-olds

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Lake Forest College freshman Chris Wiatr (Long Grove, Ill./Stevenson) recently qualified for the World Triathlon Championships and will travel to Gold Coast, Australia, for the September 13 competition.

On July 26 Wiatr earned a spot on Team USA be placing fourth out of 1,500 competitors at the Sprint Nationals Championship in Pacific Coast, California. He was actually at a slight disadvantage because the swimming portion of the event, his strength, was canceled due to 20-foot waves and the competition turned into a duathlon.

Wiatr is ranked fifth in the United States Junior Division (ages 16-19). He has been doing triathlons for five years and also competed for the Lake Forest Swim Club. Wiatr, who enjoys the sport because of the challenge of working to improve in all three disciplines, trains at a high intensity for more than 12 hours per week in addition to competing on weekends. His next event will be the Chicago Triathlon on August 30.

Among the many reasons that Wiatr, who plans to swim for the Foresters this winter, chose to attend Lake Forest College was the numerous training facilities and groups in the area. He is still undecided on a major but eventually wants to be a professional triathlete and hopes to compete in the 2016 Olympics, especially if they are in Chicago.

“I am very proud of Chris’ accomplishment and would like to wish him well in Australia," begins Forester swimming and diving coach Vadim Tashlitsky. "I look forward to working with him when he returns from the World Championships and helping him adjust to life at Lake Forest College. I am sure he’ll demonstrate the same discipline, commitment, and tenacity that have already helped him achieve great success towards all his pursuits at the College on his way to becoming another of our well-rounded and successful student-athletes.”