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Finleyville’s Carmen Vavra Repeats as Youth & Junior National Triathlon Champion

Vavra also Takes Home a State Championship

Pictured with National Champion Carmen Vavra, is her sister, Gigi Vavra (in front). (Back – L to R): Jim Vavra - father; Patricia Quiroz - grandmother; Carmen; Edward Quiroz – grandfather; and Andrea Vavra – mother.

A decorated triathelete – Carmen Vavra shows off her National Champion trophy and medals

Carmen Vavra speeds ahead during the bicycling event

Carmen Vavra (at center) stands atop the podium as the National Champion with other competitors.

Vavra Wins State Title On August 16, 2026, Carmen Vavra also competed in the Mighty Moraine Pennsylvania State Championship. Once again, she he had a strong performance, finishing 1st overall and earning 1st place in the 8-year-old age division, making her the Pennsylvania State Champion in her age group. .

Carmen Vavra, age 8 from Finleyville, successfully defended her title as the 2026 Youth & Junior National Triathlon Champion at the USA Triathlon Youth & Junior National Championships, held on August 2 in Butler County, Ohio.

Vavra improved her winning time by nearly three minutes from last year's championship, outperforming competitors from across the United States. Despite rainy race conditions, she delivered a dominant performance, finishing more than a minute ahead of the rest of the girls' field and even crossing the finish line one second ahead of the fastest boy in her division.

Carmen is the daughter of James and Andrea Vavra of Finleyville. She will be entering second grade at Ringgold North Elementary School this fall. In addition to triathlon, she competes for the Lady Rams wrestling team, the Monongahela YMCA Sharks swim team, and Octane Jiu-Jitsu. A member of Crossroads Church in Finleyville, Carmen also enjoys expressing her faith through live painting during church services.

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