Team USA Wins Gold in Mixed Relay at 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay
Share:
by USA Triathlon
ENCARNACIÓN, Paraguay — The United States won gold in the Triathlon Mixed Relay on Friday, Aug. 22 at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games held in Encarnación, Paraguay.
The U.S. squad of up-and-coming elite triathletes included Naomi Ruff (West Chicago, Ill.), Blake Bullard (Southlake, Texas), Jimena de la Peña (El Paso, Texas) and Braxton Legg (Odessa, Fla.), who combined for a time of 1 hour, 23 minutes, 20 seconds.
Fourteen countries competed, each fielding a team of two men and two women, with each athlete completing a super-sprint triathlon before tagging off to the next teammate. The U.S. led throughout the race, with the team’s anchor, Legg, breaking the tape to secure gold for Team USA. The U.S. finished 33 seconds ahead of Canada, which earned the silver, and Mexico placed third for the bronze.
The Mixed Relay medal performance for the U.S. came after individual competitions for both the men and women were held on Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Ruff and Legg won gold in the women’s and men’s triathlon events, while Bullard (Southlake, Texas) earned silver. By winning gold, Ruff and Legg qualified for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games.
The four triathlon medals won by the U.S. led all countries.
The Junior Pan American Games are held every four years, giving up-and-coming athletes a platform to perform against elite talent from the Americas countries. The event, organized by Panam Sports, includes more than 300 events in 28 sports for athletes ages 17-22. The last Junior Pan American Games were held in Cali-Valle, Colombia, in 2021.
2025 Junior Pan American Games Asunción
Triathlon Mixed Relay
1. United States (Naomi Ruff (West Chicago, Ill.), Blake Bullard (Southlake, Texas), Jimena de la Peña (El Paso, Texas), Braxton Legg (Odessa, Fla.), 1:23:20
2. Canada (Sidney Clement, Daniel Epp, Molly Lakustiak, Blake Harris), 1:23:53
3. Mexico (Regina Michel, Alfredo Rodriguez, Maria Lopez, Osvaldo Zuniga), 1:24:41
About USA Triathlon
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.
