• Howick and Pakuranga Times

ON TRACK: Sam Ward has his sights set on the age-group triathlon world champs. Photo supplied.

BECOMING a national champion was just one step on the way to a long-term goal for triathlete Sam Ward.

The Saint Kentigern College student placed second in the under-19 elite division at the Contact Cup event in Kinloch on February 5, which doubled as the New Zealand age group sprint championship.

As the first placed Kiwi, behind Australian Marcel Walkington, Ward was awarded the national title.

He placed 16th overall in a field that included under-23 and open grade athletes.

The 17-year-old says he got off to a slow start in the 750-metre swim, which was followed by a 20-kilometre bike ride and 5km run in good conditions on the shores of Lake Taupo.

“I didn’t have the best swim, but got in a good group on the bike.

“We managed to bridge up to the back of the front pack,” says Ward.

With a cross-country running background, the St Kent’s triathlon captain was able to make up time on the final leg to finish 44 seconds behind Walkington, and just over two minutes back from the overall winner.

The victory puts Ward in good stead to achieve his major goal for 2012, with the race also a qualification event for the national under-19 elite team to compete in the world multisport championships in Auckland in October.

Ward will be looking to better his second place in the 16-19 male division at last year’s world champs in Beijing.

Final New Zealand selection will be based on results in two more events in the coming weeks.

Fellow St Kent’s students Maddie Evans (3rd place), Josie Clow (4th) and Cass Harvey (7th) posted qualifying times in the 16-17 female age group, while Tim Mudford has qualified in the 16-17 male aquathon (swim, run).

Liam Ward (2nd, under-15 boys), Matt McCullough (4th) and Mikayla Harvey (4th, under-15 girls) were all within the qualifying time, but are not yet old enough for entry into the world champs.