Leininger competes at the World Triathlon Championships in Germany

Kendall Leininger, who just graduated from Boerne Area Christian Homeschoolers, competed at the World Triathlon Championships in Hamburg, Germany, July 14-16. Leininger qualified for the USA Team last year and went to Germany to compete for the United States.

Leininger placed 13th in the individual triathlon and her mixed team relay placed fourth.

A mixed team relay consists of 2 girls and 2 boys. Each member does a mini triathlon (swim, bike, run) and then they tag their teammate. Leininger was the anchor of the relay.

During the triathlon Leininger said it was a fight from the beginning. It was an in-water start and everyone was fighting under the water for a better position. Leininger was able to hold her ground and keep her good position, but her goggles shifted so she had to swim with only one eye clear because the other goggle was full of water.

On the bike, Leininger said it was a surreal moment when there were nine different countries represented in her draft pack going down the streets and tunnels in Hamburg, Germany, knowing they all have worked so hard all over the world for this moment.

Leininger had a strong finish and is looking forward to next year’s World Championships in Spain. She has already qualified for two events for the USA Team and is hopeful to qualify at Nationals in Milwaukee for the Olympic Distance Triathlon as well.

Leininger said she will always be grateful to Coach Hepler, who helped her start running in 6th grade. Then, she started volunteering with Boerne Blaze Special Olympics. While volunteering (she is still volunteering) with them they needed a unified partner to swim on their relay. She realized she enjoyed swimming as well. Then, all she needed was a bike. In May of 2021 she decided to focus on triathlon instead of only long distance running.

Leininger is currently being coached by Elite Coach Kim Clark and will be joining Liberty University’s Triathlon Team this fall to be coached by Heather Gollnick. Leininger will be studying Exercise Science with a minor in American Sign Language. Her goal is to become a collegiate coach.