Jorgensen wins in Myrtle Beach to claim USA Triathlon Elite Series title

Gwen Jorgensen ran away with a victory in the Myrtle Beach Triathlon on Sunday and the overall title in the USA Triathlon Elite Race Series.

The Waukesha native was a track All-American at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and her speed has been a huge factor in her rapid rise to the top of USA triathlon rankings. Jorgensen qualified for the 2012 Olympics earlier this year and added the Elite Race Series title to an already successful sophomore season in the sport.

On Sunday, she fought a tough current for the two-lap swim, covering 1.5 kilometers, then worked her way into the lead bike pack that included Charlotte McShane and Lindsey Jerdonek. McShane held a slight edge after the 40K bike segment, but Jorgensen caught and passed her on the 10K run and finished in 2:01:20, more than 30 seconds in front.

"I was just trying to stay focused and give it my all," Jorgensen said. "You never come in expecting to win. There's always great competition out there and great people, and I just try to come out and do my best."

Gwen Jorgensen celebrates her victory in Myrtle Beach. Photo by (@CIMAGES/USA Triathlon)

Jorgensen, 25, works part-time as a tax accountant with Ernst & Young and will have a nice addition to the positive side of her athletic ledger. The win on Sunday paid $6,250 and the overall title came with a $10,000 prize.

In the men's division, Jarrod Shoemaker, of Maynard, Mass., edged Tommy Zaferes, of Soquel, Calif. by five seconds. Shoemaker hit the line in 1:47:54.

"I feel like my season just started again," Shoemaker said. "I had a really rough mid-season, and the last month and a half I've just been having fun and enjoying it. I'm feeling great, and this was a fun race."

Results:

2011 Myrtle Beach ITU Pan American Cup

1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run

Women's Results

1. Gwen Jorgensen (Milwaukee, Wis), 2:01:20 ($6,250)

2. Charlotte McShane (AUS), 2:01:56 ($5,000)

3. Lindsey Jerdonek (Washington, D.C.), 2:03:03 ($3,750 + $250 TYR bonus)

4. Kaitlin Shiver (Satellite Beach, Fla.), 2:03:17 ($2,500)

5. Camilla Pedersen (DEN), 2:03:54 ($2,000)

6. Marissa Ferrante (Aptos, Calif.), 2:04:47 ($1,750)

7. Jenna Parker (Santa Monica, Calif.), 2:05:20 ($1,500)

8. Jennifer Speildenner (Findlay, Ohio), 2:05:55 ($1,000)

9. Julie Rechel (Worthington, Ohio), 2:06:06 ($750)

10. Brianna Blanchard (Agoura, Calif.), 2:06:57 ($500)

Men's Results

1. Jarrod Shoemaker (Maynard, Mass.), 1:47:54 ($6,250)

2. Tommy Zaferes (Soquel, Calif.), 1:47:59 ($5,000)

3. Per Wangel (SWE), 1:48:04 ($3,750)

4. Andriy Glushchenko (UKR), 1:48:15 ($2,500)

5. Ethan Brown, (Lowell, Mass.), 1:48:18 ($2,000)

6. Kaleb VanOrt (Mishawaka, Ind.), 1:48:32 ($1,750)

7. Matthew Sharpe (CAN), 1:48:46 ($1,500)

8. Steve Sexton (Pilot Hill, Calif.), 1:49:03 ($1,000)

9. Peter Bajai (HUN), 1:49:44 ($750)

10. Jeff Helmer (Snohomish, Wash.), 1:49:50 ($500)