Saoirse Colleran stands at the top of the winners’ podium at the USA Triathlon Nationals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photos provided by Lia Eggleston)GREENSBORO — Faith and fearlessness led fourth-grader Saoirse Colleran to win her age group’s USA Triathlon Nationals earlier this year, and now she’s setting her sights on the Junior Olympics.
If she qualifies Nov. 19, the St. Pius X student will compete for a spot on the USATF Junior Olympic cross-country team in December in Louisville, Ky.
Saoirse (pronounced Sear-sha) was 9 when she dashed through the national competition in Milwaukee in August – swimming 100 meters, biking 3.2 miles, then running more than a half mile, in less than 20 minutes, making her one of the nation’s best.
She credits Jesus – and her family – for lighting her fire to excel.
“My faith plays a role in my athletic pursuits,” Saoirse says. “I believe in something bigger than me that allows me to go after my goals.”
The middle of the three Colleran children, Saoirse has been immersed in triathlons throughout her young life. She began racing at 5, but was following her big sister Aoibhin’s races on her tricycle at the tender age of 3.
“She’s grown up on the triathlon circuit,” says mother Heather Colleran, who participates in the sport along with her husband, Eoin, the cross-country coach at St. Pius.
Saoirse trains with her E3 Endurance team and coaches Matt and Sandra Clancy, who attend Our Lady of Grace.
Her coaches say Saoirse’s strengths are her calmness, determination and sheer grit. But more important, Matt Clancy says, is that she understands the gifts she’s been given and has the courage to see where they might lead.
“Her faith in that process, in addition to her fearlessness, led to a fantastic day in Milwaukee,” he adds.
Tears flowed for her parents as they watched their daughter cross the finish line. “She won! She won,” Heather Colleran remembers shouting with her husband.
Saoirse says she’ll look to them – and put her faith in Jesus – as she seeks to qualify for and compete in the Junior Olympics, counting on her mantra: “Work hard, believe in yourself, and don’t give up.”
— Annie Ferguson
Saoirse cycles and sprints her way to victory after a 100-meter swim in a small cove of Lake Michigan.
Coach Matt Clancy encourages Henry Eggleston, Saoirse Colleran, Cathal Colleran and Sampson Clancy to do their best at the national competition.
Saoirse cycles and sprints her way to victory after a 100-meter swim in a small cove of Lake Michigan.