Victorian Aquathon & Bendigo Triathlon

Congratulations to our champion young athlete Merlin Tzaros of Year 9, who in recent weeks has added two more elite medals to his trophy cabinet.

On Sunday, he won the Gold Medal in his age group (15-19), and Silver overall, at the Victorian Aquathon Championships in Shepparton. Remarkable considering he is just 15 years old himself. This event comprised of a 750m swim and a 5km run. His 5km run split was a lightening quick 16:19.

Two weeks prior, he also won Gold at a Summer Series Triathlon race in Bendigo. This event was a 400m pool swim, a 15km road ride, and a 4km run. He smashed his previous best time (set last year) at that event by 2 minutes. Also, Merlin's time (48:13) was only 2 minutes off the all-time Race Record which was set by a 27-year old who at that time was the World Duathlon Champion and had won multiple World Half-Marathon Championships. 

Merlin will be a top candidate for our prestigious annual Sports Person Of The Year Award, which will be announced at our important End Of Year Presentation Night on Wednesday December 13th.

To illustrate the gravity of Merlin's achievements this year, here are a list of what he has done in 2023 alone: Triathlon.

• Triathlon Victoria 2022-2023 State/National Pathway Network Team Member
• School Sport Victoria (SSV) State Team Member and Qualified for Nationals
• Triathlon Victoria State Series - 1st
• Australian Grand Prix Triathlon Championship - 1st
• AGPT (National) - 3rd
• Victorian 2XU Sprint Series - 3rd
• Victorian 2XU FunTri Series - 3rd
• Echuca-Moama Triathlon - 1st in 18 and under age group
• Barwon Heads Triathlon - 2nd in 15-19 age group

Running.

• Hume City to City 7.5km - 2nd overall, record, 1st 15&U
• Wangaratta Fun Run - 5km- 2nd overall, 1st Youth
• Upper Hume 3000m - 1st
• Upper Hume 1500m - 1st & new all-time record
• Qualified for Cross Country Nationals

Swimming.

• Hume Region 50m Breaststroke - 3rd

Note also that Merlin missed a number of key events (such as Upper Hume and State Cross Country, as well as the Hume Region and State Track & Field Championships) due to illness, injury and being on holidays. So the above list would have been even longer.

Merlin you are inspiration to our school community. Not only are you a committed and talented athlete, but you are one of the most outstanding young people overall that we have seen at our school. 

• Jud Mullins