Michigan Titanium Crowns 2023 Ultra-Distance National Champions

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Nik Reinert (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Nancy Agrillo (Grand Rapids, Mich.) won national titles on Sunday, Aug. 13 at the 2023 USA Triathlon Ultra-Distance Triathlon National Championships, held in conjunction with the Michigan Titanium in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  

Reinert completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run course, which centers Versluis Park, in 9 hours and 16 minutes.  

The victory gave Reinert his first-career national title in what was only his third-ever Ultra-distance triathlon. In addition to the overall win, he also claimed the title in his age group in the men’s 30-34 division.  

“Being named the Ultra National Champion feels pretty awesome. I came into the race hoping to win, trying to win. I knew that it was going to be challenging, it’s a challenging course. I am not the best swimmer in the world, but felt strong on the bike and knew it would come down to the run at the end,” Reinert said of his performance. 

He added, “Michigan Titanium has been good. The course was challenging on the bike, it was very hilly – but the technical course suits me. But it’s the same conditions for everybody, it was a great race!” 

In the women’s competition, Agrillo won the national title on home soil, claiming the victor’s tape with a time of 11:32:26. She also claimed the title in her age group of female 55-59. 

"It is pretty fantastic. I love this race [Michigan Titanium] and this course and to end up in first, not expecting that at all, it was quite a surprise and really thrilling. I love that I get to represent my local race as the National Champion, I do this race every year,” Agrillo said. “My swim was surprisingly slow, bike felt good and the run was a struggle and the run is usually where I finish strong. However, I am getting over COVID from two months ago and that really fouled me up a little bit, so to be able to accomplish this win is really special.” 

This was the third time that Michigan Titanium, Michigan’s only Ultra-Distance race, hosted the USA Triathlon Ultra-Distance National Championship. It also hosted the event in 2022 and in 2019.  

Michael Bankes (Ann Arbor, Mich.) was the second-place overall male, finishing in 9:41:16 and earning his second straight age-group national title, winning the men’s 25-29 age group. While Jourdan Cox (Evansville, Ind.) completed the podium by placing third overall with a time of 10:13:09. 

Taking the silver women’s overall medal was Aaron Velting (Rockford, Mich.), who with a time of 12:06:12 earned a spot on the overall podium and a back-to-back national title in the F40-44 age group. Finishing up the podium was Jennifer Pero (Chesterton, Ind.), who claimed the overall bronze, crossing the line in 12:33:27, also collecting the F30-34 age group.  

A total of 19 athletes representing nine states earned age group national titles on the day. In addition to national honors, athletes competed to qualify to represent age group Team USA at the 2024 Long Course World Championships in Townsville, Australia.   

 
2023 USA Triathlon Ultra-Distance National Championships – Grand Rapids, Mich.   
2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run   

National Champions — Complete Results  
 
*Back-to-back titles 

Male Overall: Nik Reinert (Pittsburgh, Pa.), 9:16:00 
Female Overall: Nancy Agrillo (Grand Rapids, Mich.), 11:32:26 
M20-24: Brandon Deuch (Brecksville, Ohio), 10:43:19  
M25-29: Michael Bankes (Ann Arbor, Mich.), 9:41:16* 
F25-29:  Jessica Graves (Lowell, Mich.), 14:19:52 
M30-34: Nik Reinert (Pittsburgh, Pa.), 9:16:00 
F30-34: Jennifer Pero (Chesterton, Ind.), 12:33:27 
M35-39: Darrel Quinn (New Hudson, Mich.), 10:55:11 
F35-39: Shuyi Liu (Ypsilanti, Mich.), 13:22:20 
M40-44: Luke Aldrich (Cedar Falls, Iowa), 10:40:28 
F40-44 Aaron Velting (Rockford, Mich.), 12:06:12* 
M45-49: J.P Dowd (Charlestown, Mass.), 10:16:18 
F45-49: Jennifer Wlodarek (Frankfort, Ill.), 15:10:57 
M50-54: Brad Bliek (Hopkins, Mich.), 12:04:15 
F50-54: Diane Payne (Ada, Mich.), 14:19:18 
M55-59: Scott Swaney (Highlands Ranch, Colo.),10:16:55*  
F55-59: Nancy Agrillo (Grand Rapids, Mich.), 11:32:26 
M60-64: John Hunsaker (Burlington, Iowa), 12:09:05  
M70-74: Daniel Barr (Frankfort, Ill.), 13:15:28* 
Athena: Gretchen Dabbs (Murphysboro, Ill.), 14:59:21* 
Clydesdale: Greg Serkaian (Eden Prairie, Minn.), 14:25:27