A TALENTED teenager from Bromsgrove School competed at The British Triathlon Championship Grand Finals at Mallory Park in Leicestershire.
William Pridden, 16, raced on the technical course which encompassed high speed and high quality cycling skills, along with tactical awareness leading into the run.
On the day, he came away with silver in the individual race and, more impressively, came third in the overall Super Series standings.
The Super Series consists of seven separate competitions comprising a mixture of triathlons and aquathlons.
Each one has slightly different formats – some with heats and finals and others with multiple races over the day.
They all start in April and end in September.
To participate in each race requires qualification against some of the top athletes in the country.
Even though William races for himself, he is also flying the colours for the West Midlands Academy in each race.
William began his triathlon pathway when he was 13 and to reach this level, he has had to be organised, focused and balanced with his schoolwork and the training he undertakes.
William has never been solely a member of a triathlon club – instead he completes each discipline at an individual club.
His swimming training is done with Worcester Swimming Club, his running with Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics club and he cycles in the group rides for Wyre Forest CC.
William, a Bromsgrove School pupil since nursery, said: “Over the years they have given me the confidence, support and opportunity to follow my interest in becoming a triathlete.
“During this time, I have trained under the guidance of the swimming and athletic coaches to develop my skills and technique to become a stronger athlete.”
Bromsgrove School has fully supported William’s athletic journey, offering swimming and running sessions to aid his training process leading up to events in conjunction with his academic pursuit.
With the end of the triathlon season now upon him, he is setting goals for what could hopefully be an exciting 2024 season.
His open water training, a seasonal discipline, has been further bolstered through training with Sandwell Aquatics at Swan Pool.
