Maranatha Senior Wins World Championship



Maranatha High School senior Hannah Rae Finchamp successfully defended her World Championship title recently at the 2013 Xterra World Championship Triathlon in Maui.

At the 2012 Xterra World Championship, Hannah wasn’t just the fastest woman in the 15-19 division; she was the fastest amateur woman in the entire field! She finished 13th overall, ahead of six pro women, and more than seven minutes ahead of the next age group female. In 2012, she won the overall amateur titles at both the Xterra National Championship and Xterra World Championship, and also placed 8th among a very competitive field at the USAT Junior Elite National Championship on the road. She was also the 2013 High School State Mountain Bike Champion.

This year, she was anxious to defend her World Championship at Xterra, and during the last week in October, she did just that. She is the only amateur woman ever to win the title twice. Needless to say, going into the race, she did not think she would come out a champion, but Hannah had one of the best races of her life. She had the fastest swim time, run time, 15-19 age group time, under 25 year-old time, and overall amateur woman time! Additionally, her overall time would have placed her 11th in the Pro Women’s category.

Hannah exited the one mile swim first (the opening of three triathlon sections). However, she did not know by how much she was in the lead. She recalls, she was racing scared for the majority of the time. Hannah reminded herself to say in the moment and recalled a Bible verse she read that morning; Nehemiah 8:10, which reads, “the joy of the Lord in my strength.” Even in the suffering, she was reminded how much she loves triathlons and was encouraged to stay happy. She said, “When you’re happiest is when you are going to race the best.”

Over 30 countries and 40 states were represented at the Xterra World championships. This race is considered the premiere off-road triathlon. With an intense and extremely hilly course coupled with 95 degree heat with 80% humidity, a lot of the race comes down to being able to handle the conditions. “My Freshman year,” Hannah recalls, “my whole goal was to not require an IV drip (a common result for high-end athletes) at the end of the race.”

Hannah got into the sport of triathlons around the age of 10. She realized her love of running through playing soccer. She never seemed to get tired and decided to try a running race at the age of 9. That soon led to triathlons and she has been hooked ever since. “My passion for triathlon is really about the whole package,” she says, “It’s about how you put it all three sports together.”

As an elite athlete, it is challenging to manage work and school. Hannah travels numerous times a year, but despite her busy schedule she maintains a 4.3 GPA. “It’s really important to me to keep my grades up, it’s a high priority. However, training is what I enjoy doing, so it’s how I spend my down time. Whether it is running, swim practice, or biking; it’s what I love.” “Also, the teachers and students at Maranatha have been so supportive.”

This year, Hannah is competing as a LUNA Pro Team amateur development athlete. She first met the LUNA Pro Team women at World’s this year. “I have always looked up to the LUNA ladies,” said Hannah, “and being able to share in their wisdom and experience is amazing.” Team LUNA is the longest standing women’s professional team worldwide with a strong Olympic history. Hannah does hope to make a career of triathlons; however, she is in no rush and is looking to compete at the college level first. She is currently in the college application process and hopes to find a college that she can mountain bike for and that will support her in her running and swimming as well. She plans to major in athletic training with hopes to become a physical therapist down the road.

Although she is an elite athlete, Hannah truly enjoys the high school experience at Maranatha. Hannah is on the swim and cross country teams and rides for Maranatha in the mountain bike high school league as well. “It is a different experience being able to race with people my own age. The camaraderie of competing with high schoolers is a different and fun experience.” Hannah is the #1 runner on her cross country team and a captain on the swim team. Although she spends a lot of her time with her own training schedule, she makes an effort to train with her high school teams at least once or twice a week. “The swim team has been my favorite experience at MHS,” Hannah says, I have found a lot of my best friends on the swim team through pushing and encouraging each other to do our best.” Hannah feels that God has blessed her with her talent and has called her to use it. She feels the closest to God when she races.

For more information, visit http://www.maranatha-hs.org/.

 

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