Paratriathletes Race for National Titles at 2023 Paratriathlon National Championships

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Ten U.S. paratriathletes earned national titles on Sunday, Sept. 10 at the 2023 USA Paratriathlon National Championships, held in conjunction with the Patriots Triathlon Festival in Williamsburg, Virginia. The event was organized by Kinetic Multisports.  

Paratriathlon National Championships offered development paratriathletes the opportunity to race in the spotlight as U.S. Elite Paratriathlon National Team members focused on final preparation for the 2023 World Triathlon Para World Championships later this month in Pontevedra, Spain. The Patriots Triathlon Festival also included collegiate and age group races alongside Paratriathlon National Championships, adding buzz and excitement to the event.

“Athletes had excellent support from the adaptive sports community all weekend and got some extra challenges thrown at them on race day, something they need to be ready for in international racing. It’s exciting to see athletes rise to the occasion, have fun, make new friends, and get to hold big checks at awards,” said Lindsey Jerdonek, USA Triathlon Paralympic Program Manager.

Paratriathletes on Sunday raced a sprint-distance course covering a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and a 7k run that took place alongside Jamestown Beach and through historic farmland and forests on a combination of bike paths and jogging trails.

USA Triathlon, in partnership with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), for the third consecutive year offered a $20,000 professional prize purse to athletes who medaled in their classifications. National champions received $1,000 each.

National champions included: 

• Irwin Ramirez (Alexandria, Va.), with guide Andre Gouyet, in men's PTVI 
• Deborah Chucoski (Corning, N.Y.), with guide Cheyenne Myer, in women's PTVI 
• Skyler Fischer (Dallas, Texas), in women's PTWC
• Kyle Stepp (Albuquerque, N.M.), in men's PTS2
• Zachary Osborne (Raleigh, N.C.), in men's PTS3
• Hannah Longmire (Coralville, Iowa), in women's PTS3 
• David Whelan (Cincinnati, Ohio), in men's PTS4
• Kendra Herber (Monroe, Ohio) in women's PTS4 
• Jesus Moreno (Taylor, Mich.) in men's PTS5
• Michelle Dynes (DPO, AE) in women's PTS5

USA Triathlon's high-performance team supports athletes beginning their paratriathlon career. With development camps, racing opportunities and structured teams, USA Triathlon offers resources for athletes. This month, the high-performance team is hosting a Paratriathlon Virtual Combine to find future stars in paratriathlon.

Through the Virtual Combine, participants can submit their best times for a 200-meter freestyle time trial (TT) and a 1-kilometer run. All participants times will be logged in USA Triathlon’s system, and top performers will be considered for Development Camp opportunities at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, or the U.S. Performance Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. All results can be submitted here during the September 15th-30th window.

For more information about the USA Paratriathlon National Championships, qualification standards and development pathways, visit: https://www.usatriathlon.org/elite-paratriathlon-development.
2023 USA Paratriathlon National Championships 
750m swim, 20k bike, 7k run 
Men's PTVI
1. Irwin Ramirez (Alexandria, Va.), 1:34:58
2. Francesco Magisano (New York, N.Y.), 1:35:24
3. Jeff Mata (Poway, Calif.), 1:36:12
Women's PTVI
1. Deborah Chucoski (Corning, N.Y.), 1:31:44 
2. Taylor Talbot (Chula Vista, Calif.), 1:35:33
3. Katie Steinbrecher (Iron Mountain, Mich.), 1:42:12
Women's PTWC
1. Skyler Fischer (Dallas, Texas), 1:29:01 
2. Emily Shryock (Austin, Texas), 1:41:11
3. Emily Sweeney (Montrose, N.Y.), 1:43:43
Men's PTS2
1. Kyle Stepp (Albuquerque, N.M.), 1:37:27
2. Cahin Perez (Christiana, Tenn.), 1:39:59
3. Jorge Torres-Hinojoza (Oswego, Ill.), 1:44:48
Men's PTS3
1. Zachary Osborne (Raleigh, N.C.), 1:31:00
2. No finisher 
3. No finisher 

Women's PTS3
1. Hannah Longmire (Coralville, Iowa), 2:00:04
2. No finisher 
3. No finisher 
Men's PTS4
1. David Whelan (Cincinnati, Ohio), 1:36:35
2. Craig Vogtsberger (Littleton, Colo.), 1:38:29 
3. No finisher 
Women's PTS4
1. Kendra Herber (Monroe, Ohio), 1:39:36
2. Rachel Rhodes (Saint Joseph, Mo.), 1:59:43
3. No finisher
Men's PTS5
1. Jesus Moreno (Taylor, Mich.), 1:20:46 
2. No finisher
3. No finisher
Women's PTS5
1. Michelle Dynes (DPO, AE), 1:39:14
2. Leah Kaplan (Spokane, Wash.), 1:49:11
3. No finisher
About the Challenged Athletes Foundation
The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy lifestyles. CAF believes that participation in physical activity at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $159 million has been raised and over 44,000 funding requests from people with physical challenges in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts impact another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give opportunities and support to those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles. To learn more, visit challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,000 races and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of World Triathlon and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).