ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Robertsdale High’s Trista Phelps won the Alabama Coastal Intermediate Triathlon recently, with a time of one hour and two minutes, as Rachel Starling placed third with a time of one hour and 11 minutes.

Both girls, who are sophomores, are members of Julie Thomason’s cross- country team. Phelps is also a member of the RHS swim team.

“We both enjoy running, riding bikes and swimming, so we thought we would compete in the Try-It-On Triathlon for females, ages 16-19,” said Starling. “Because we’re both athletes we love a good challenge, and a triathlon can be quite a challenge.”

Phelps said the two had been training all summer for cross-country season, which begins Sept. 17, so their endurance and wind are already pretty high.

“We decided we would try and compete in the triathlon,” Phelps said, “as it takes in so much of what we already like to do.”

The Try-It-On Triathlon is composed of a 300 yard swim, a 10-mile bike ride, and a two-mile road race on foot.

“There were some 400 people of all ages and divisions who were competing,” Phelps continued. “We began by swimming straight out from the Hangout in Gulf Shores to a bright yellow buoy, and then made our turn and returned to the beach where we jumped on our bikes and took off toward Gulf State Park.”

After biking to the loop at the park, the leaders and their pack of followers returned to the Hangout where they jumped off their bikes and began the road race portion of the endurance race.

Neither Phelps nor Starling knew where they stood in the results of the race until they received their times shortly after they crossed the finish line.

“They presented us with plaques and things like that,” said Starling. “Then they put on a feast for all of the participants. I’m not talking about bananas and doughnuts, which are the traditional high carb snacks to keep your blood serum up, but real breakfast food. We didn’t realize how hungry we were until we had drank a couple of cupfuls of water.”

Thomasson said she was really proud of her two cross-country team members.

“Their times were impressive for all they had to do,” she said. “I know they were stiff the day after the race, but when you win, or place as high as Rachel did, it’s a good stiffness.”

Thomasson said she was expecting great things from both girls as the cross country season opens.

“Our first match is being sponsored by the University of South Alabama at the old Brookley Field golf course,” she said. “There, we’ll compete against a number of Mobile and Baldwin County schools.”

Phelps said that because she had visited New York City on several occasions, plus she had family who lived there, she was already looking at New York University.

“I know they have a really good swim team,” she said, “however, at this stage in my life I’m unsure about what I want to study.

The daughter of Scott and Renee Phelps, Trista said she had an older brother, Tyler, and two younger siblings, Kate and Jack.

Starling said she felt she knew what she wanted in terms of a college education already.

“My goal is to receive an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy,” she said. “I’ve already made plans to attend Congressman Jo Bonner’s Academy Night over at St. Paul’s High. I want to not only meet the congressman, but let him know I’m dead serious about such an appointment.”

Although her goal is aviation, Starling said she would be willing to go into Human Intelligence, which could in turn lead to a job with the Central Intelligence Agency.

“I think that both of us plan on taking the ACT next year, which will be our junior year,” Phelps said. “We’ll be getting serious about what to study, and even developing Plan B’s should our primary choices for college be shot down.”

Phelps is currently carrying a 4.26 grade point average, while Starling’s has a 4.05 GPA.

Combining academics, athletics and being involved in various campus activities can take its toll; however, both girls seem to be taking it right in stride.

“We both enjoy a challenge,” Starling said. “The results can be very rewarding if you make a plan, execute it and follow up on the outcome.”