Taylor Spivey, Morgan Pearson Lead Elite U.S. Triathletes at 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals Wollongong
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by USA Triathlon
WOLLONGONG, Australia — U.S. Elite Triathlete Taylor Spivey (Redondo Beach, Calif.) capped another stellar season for U.S. elite triathlon with a seventh-place finish Sunday at the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals Wollongong, securing fourth overall in the World Triathlon Championship Series rankings, the highest finish by a U.S. woman this season.
Competing on a challenging course that featured a 1,500-meter harbor swim, a hilly 40-kilometer bike through Wollongong, and an up-and-down 10-kilometer run, Spivey battled through a world-class field to clock 1 hour, 57 minutes, 47 seconds, placing her seventh among the top performers in the season’s culminating event.
Germany’s Lisa Tertsch claimed the women’s world title in 1:56:50, edging Italy’s Bianca Seregni by 14 seconds, while France’s Emma Lombardi rounded out the podium in third.
Joining Spivey in the women’s race were U.S. teammates Gina Sereno (Madison, Wis.), who placed 15th in 1:58:52, Danielle Orie (Buffalo, N.Y.) in 19th at 1:59:13, Kirsten Kasper (North Andover, Mass.) in 24th at 2:00:41, and Erika Ackerlund (Helena, Mont.) in 34th at 2:09:18.
For Orie, her 19th place capped an impressive finish to her first WTCS season and World Triathlon Championship Final. She is a member of USA Triathlon's training squad, Global Tri.
Kasper's Wollongong race marked her return to racing in 2025 following surgery to her hip this spring.
On the men’s side, Morgan Pearson (New Vernon, N.J.) led the U.S. Elite contingent with an 11th-place finish in 1:44:23, closing out another season as the top-ranked U.S. male in the Series. Australia’s hometown favorite Matthew Hauser took the win in 1:42:42, ahead of David Cantero Del Campo of Spain and Alessio Crociani of Italy.
Also representing the U.S. were Chase McQueen (Columbus, Ind.) and John Reed (Virginia Beach, Va.), who crossed together in 29th and 30th (1:47:19), followed by Darr Smith (Atlanta, Ga.) in 40th (1:48:47). Reese Vannerson, who placed eighth in the U23 World Championships on Thursday, was lapped in Sunday's Elite race.
Wollongong, Australia | Sunday, Oct. 19
1.500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike, 10k run
Women
1. Lisa Bertsch (GER), 1:56:50
2. Bianca Seregni (ITA), 1:57:04
3. Emma Lombardi (FRA), 1:57:16
U.S. Finishers
7. Taylor Spivey (Redondo Beach, Calif.), 1:57:47
15. Gina Sereno (Madison, Wis.), 1:58:52
19. Danielle Orie (Buffalo, N.Y.), 1:59:13
24. Kirsten Kasper (North Andover, Mass.), 2:00:41
34. Erika Acklerund (Helena, Mont.), 2:09:18
Men
1. Matthew Hauser (AUS), 1:42:42
2. David Cantero Del Campo (ESP), 1:43:15
3. Alessio Crociani (ITA), 1:43:22
U.S. Finishers
11. Morgan Pearson (New Vernon, N.J.), 1:44:23
29. Chase McQueen (Columbus, Ind.), 1:47:19
30. John Reed (Virginia Beach, Va.), 1:47:19
40. Darr Smith (Atlanta, Ga.), 1:48:47
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 3,500 events and races and connects with and supports more than 300,000 unique active members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
