Leachman competes in World Triathlon
ADAMS TWP — Zach Leachman just keeps running along.
The Mars graduate and Florida State University senior cross country runner is fine with that — but he prefers adding swimming and bicycling to the endeavor.
“When my cross country career is over, I’m definitely going to put in more time working on my swimming and cycling — especially swimming,” Leachman said. “My running is pretty strong right now.
“My long-term goal is to compete in the triathlon at the Olympic Games in 2028. But a lot has to happen between now and then.”
A biomedical engineering major at Florida State, Leachman has already competed for the Seminoles’ track and field team that finished fourth in the country two years ago. Florida State’s cross country team is a contender for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship this year.
Over the summer, Leachman took part in the Americas Triathlon series and won a pair of national meets. He completed a triathlon in Montreal in 52 minutes, 20 seconds to win there, then took first place at the Americas Triathlon in Long Beach, Calif., with a time of 54:02.
He took third place at the race in Edmonton, Alberta, with a time of 50:10, only 31 seconds behind the winner.
His success in that series qualified him for the U23 Male Elite 2023 World Triathlon Championship in Pontevedra, Spain, on Sept. 23.
“Those two (Americas Triathlon) wins put me over the top,” Leachman said. “You qualify for the world championship by earning enough points. There were only four (male) runners from the United States at the event in Spain and I was the fourth one.”
He did not finish the race. But he relished the experience.
“That was my first world championship,” Leachman said. “Hopefully, I’ll get back there again. The atmosphere was incredible. So many people were watching and the course was different from triathlon courses we have in the states.
“The layout of the course runs through the city. The running track was paved. The level of competition, I can’t even describe. It was the best triathletes in the world.”
The U23 field consisted of 50 to 60 runners, representing numerous countries.
Now that his triathlon series is over, Leachman is back for his senior cross country season at Florida State. He has another year of eligibility after this one.
“I believe we can get to nationals as a team and place among the top 10 or 15 there,” Leachman said. “That’s what we’re shooting for. Individually, my goals are to make All-ACC, All-Region and finish among the top 100 runners at nationals.
“I’m unsure at this point whether I’ll use that final year of eligibility. Right now, I’m leaning toward coming back.”
While looking ahead to bigger things.
“I still prefer doing triathlons,” he admitted. “And I know I have plenty of room to improve.”
