COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - With previous medalists Hunter Kemper and Sarah Haskins and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team qualifier Gwen Jorgensen headlining the United States' competitors, USA Triathlon announced its roster today for the 2011 Pan American Games.
The men's and women's Olympic-distance events are set for Sunday, Oct. 23 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Kemper (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will compete in his third career Pan American Games after winning gold in 2003 and silver in 1999. Joining Kemper on the U.S. men's roster is Matt Chrabot (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Mark Fretta (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who will make their Pan Am debuts. Chrabot is familiar with the Puerto Vallarta course having captured the PATCO Pan American Championship title there a year ago.
Haskins (Colorado Springs, Colo.) is set for her second straight Pan American Games appearance following a silver-medal performance in 2007. Jorgensen (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Sara McLarty (Clermont, Fla.) will join Haskins in the women's field. McLarty finished 10th in 2007. Jorgensen will toe the line in her first Pan American Games after placing second at the 2010 PATCO Pan American Championship on the same course.
The U.S. has captured eight all-time Pan American Games medals, including four gold, since triathlon made its debut in 1995. Americans swept the top spots in 2007 with Julie Ertel and Andy Potts winning gold in Rio de Janeiro.
Held every four years in the year before the Olympic Games, the Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games. The history of the Pan American Games dates back to 1951 when the Games were first hosted by Buenos Aires, Argentina. The 2011 Pan American Games mark the 16th celebration of the Pan American Sports Organization event. The U.S. has hosted the event twice, in Indianapolis in 1987 and Chicago in 1959.
USA Triathlon Pan American Games Roster (Oct. 23, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)
Women
Sarah Haskins (Colorado Springs, Colo./St. Louis, Mo.)
Gwen Jorgensen (Milwaukee, Wis./Milwaukee, Wis.)
Sara McLarty (Clermont, Fla./DeLand, Fla.)
Men
Matt Chrabot (Colorado Springs, Colo./Virginia Beach, Va.)
Mark Fretta (Colorado Springs, Colo./Portland, Ore.)
Hunter Kemper (Colorado Springs, Colo./Orlando, Fla.)
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