One of only Three Americans Selected to Compete

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Whitworth senior Kalen Darling will compete in the ITU U23 Elite Triathlon World Championships on Saturday in Budapest, Hungary. Darling is one of three Americans selected to compete in the field of 75 competitors for the men's U23 division.

Darling is in his first season as a member of the Whitworth cross country team. He finished in second place at the season-opening Whitman Invitational last Saturday in Walla Walla. He is also an All-American on the Pirate swimming team, finishing 7th in the 400-yard individual medley at last season's NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships after sharing Northwest Conference Men's Swimmer of the Year honors.

"Being surrounded by the world's best athletes is better than Christmas morning," said Darling, who arrived in Budapest on Sunday to prepare for the race. "These guys are 2012 Olympic prospects and professional athletes. There is nothing better than racing against the best because I know they will bring the best out of me come race day. It's unreal to be racing at this level."

The U23 men's race will take place at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday in Budapest (6:15 a.m. in Spokane). Anyone wanting to watch the race can follow it online (http://www.triathlonlive.tv/index/home).

Despite the world class level of competition, Darling has set his sights high.

"My goal for this race is a top 15 finish which will earn me a spot on the 2016 Olympic Training Squad, also known as Project 2016," said Darling. "However, I believe I have a podium finish in me. To medal at this event would make history. The USA has not won a men's medal at the World Championship since 2005."

The event will include a 1.5 kilometer swim, a 38.4 kilometer bike ride and a ten kilometer run. Darling earned his spot among the field by competing in national- and world-level competitions throughout the Western Hemisphere. He recently finished fifth in the Elite Men's division at the 2010 Kelowna ITU Triathlon Premium Pan American Cup in British Columbia and 20th at the 2010 San Francisco
Pan American Cup (July 10th).

Darling credits his Whitworth experience with helping him reach world class status.

"Training and competing with the Whitworth cross country and swimming teams has made me a very well rounded and disciplined athlete," he said. "Not many people can swim and run decently at the collegiate level. Being able to train with both teams and perform well in both sports has made me a threat to contend for a medal at this event."