Erica Hawley produced perhaps the best result of her young career so far as she won the 2017 USA National Collegiate Championships. The result is all the more remarkable as she is still in her first year at university. And, in true Bermuda style ( aka Flora Duffy) she did it “solo” for most of the race.

Here is Erica’s report :

Hi everyone!!
Today I raced in the USA collegiate club national championships (draft legal sprint event) and I managed the win! Going in to the event I didn’t know anyone in the field so I was going in blind and wasn’t sure what to expect.
I had a strong swim coming out with second place, Teresa Groton, and then I managed to gain a lead through T1. On the first lap of the bike I had a lead and no one was gaining.. so I had to solo it!! It was a 5 lap course so I could see where everyone was making time (or not). On laps 4 and 5 I just kept gaining time on them and going into T2 i had  over minute lead. The run definitely hurt with the heat and I had a stitch but I knew that I was in the lead and all I needed was to keep it comfortable in order to win.
It was an incredible day. My team of 28 were so supportive and it was an unreal atmosphere