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PRESS RELEASE – The Guam Triathlon Federation National Team will be competing in the third annual Pacific Islands Triathlon Championship race this Saturday in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Representing Guam in the Oceania championship event are 2012 and 2013 repeat Guam National Champions Aysha Perez and Gabe Lombard, joined by qualifying local residents Cameron O’Neal, Karly O’Neal, Rose Munoz, Patrick Camacho, and GTF President/Team Manager Mark Cruz.

Guam’s triathlon representatives to Papua New Guinea are (L-R): Patrick Camacho, Aysha Perez, Rose Munoz, Cameron O’Neal, Gabe Lombard and Karly O’Neal. (courtesy photo)

“The Guam Triathlon Federation’s charter is to evangelize, promote and grow the sport on Guam and within the region,” said GTF Director Dave Torre.“I am confident that our National Team will do very well at the Pacific Triathlon Championship in Papua New Guinea.”

“I firmly believe that we can expect them to bring home some hardware of the Gold, Silver or Bronze flavor,” Torre added.

The event will be one of the biggest gatherings of the year for Oceania’s triathletes.  The Guam team will be competing against athletes from around the region, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Solomon Islands.

Host nation Papua New Guinea will be represented by their 2015 South Pacific Games development team, including Mairi Feeger (Canberra, Australia), Rachel Sapery-James (Port Moresby), Susie Shaun Pini (National Capital District), Jamie Campbell (Wewak), Casmer Junior Kamangip (Wewak), Vianney Kipma (Wewak) and Polihau Popeliau (Manus).

Guam will be sending one of largest contingencies to this year’s event other than the host nation. This year’s national team members qualified to compete for Guam by completing and placing as the fastest local triathletes in this past July’s Guam Triathlon National Championship race.

“Part of the Guam Triathlon Federation’s goal is to help the sport grow in our region,” said GTF President Mark Cruz. “So, it’s critical we attend all these events to support our island neighbors.”

Cycling Championship

In conjunction with the triathlon championship the Pacific Islands Cycling Championship will also take place simultaneously in Papua New Guinea. Representing Guam will be elder brother Peter Lombard, coming off of a dominant TakeCare Summer Series championship.

The triathlon race will take place on Saturday morning and the cycling championship consists of a criterium race on Saturday and a time trial race on Sunday.

“Any opportunity to send athletes abroad to compete and learn from our brothers and sisters in sport, is our responsibility and we will make a concerted effort to bring it to fruition,” added Torre. “Having our team compete in PNG will give us a competitive advantage for the 2015 Pacific Games in PNG.”

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