SANTA CRUZ — Former defensive lineman Connor Spencer accomplished big things when he played high school and college football.
The Santa Cruz resident, 28, is doing more of the same as a triathlete. He took first place in the Clydesdale division — reserved for male athletes who more than 220 pounds — at the 2024 USA Triathlon Sprint Distance National Championships in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 15.
The race started in the water near Bader Field and took athletes on a bike ride down the Atlantic City Expressway with a run finish on the Boardwalk. Spencer finished the race in 1 hour, 6 minutes and 58 seconds.
He completed the 750-meter swim in 9:39, 20k bike in 33:16, and 5k run in 21:10.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Spencer said of his feat. “That event, it’s a competitive deal. There’s people from all different areas throughout the country, so I’m really pleased. It’s considered one of, if not the most competitive events for that distance.”
Spencer was second out of the water. He took the lead on the bike, and extended it on the run.
Santa Cruz’s Connor Spencer completes the 2024 USA Triathlon Sprint Distance National Championships in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 15. He took first place in the Clydesdale division. (FinisherPix)
“He runs really well for a heavy guy, and he swims well,” said Martin Spierings of TCMTriSquad, his personal coach. “His running is pretty special for how much he weighs. He’s turning into a great little triathlete.”
An electrical engineer at Pacific Defense, Spencer moved to Santa Cruz from the South Bay three years ago. He dabbled in a few activities after graduating college but was still looking to “scratch that competitive itch.” When he saw some bigger framed athletes competing in the half Ironman Santa Cruz two years ago, the light bulb went off.
“I was amazed to see these people finishing the race, toward the end of the cutoff,” he said. “I had an image of athletes with bodies like gazelles, lean and fit body types. But the people I saw competing, I never would’ve guessed. I remember thinking, ‘That’s awesome. I’m going to do that.”
He began competing in triathlons 13 months ago, and has since hired Spierings as his personal trainer.
“There’s definitely still a newness to it,” Spencer said. “I’ve gotten to where I enjoy endurance activities.”
Spencer is still a big man. In college, he checked in at 6-foot-3, 285 pounds. He played football for University of San Diego from 2014-18 and helped the Toreros reach the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs in each of his final three seasons. He was a two-time All-Pioneer Football League selection and named to the PFL Academic Honor Roll five years.
In 2013, he helped Fairview High take second in the Colorado High School Activities Association Division 5A state championship to private school Valor Christian, which featured current 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
“We were the ‘public school’ state champs,” Spencer said.
Triathlon sounds like an odd fit for someone like Spencer. But he did plenty of sprints on the gridiron, rode his bike regularly to morning practices, and, often, made his way to the pool the day after games to help his body recover.
He has participated in four triathlons since taking up the sport and knew he had a chance to shine in New Jersey. He also competed in his first 2-mile Cruz Cruise open water swim around the Santa Cruz Wharf in August.
“I’ve really enjoyed swimming,” he said.
Spencer has shed massive weight since his football days. He weighs 230 pounds and is just above the Clydesdale cutoff, meaning his days in the big boys division may be nearing an end.
“I’m going to retire from Clydesdale soon, if things go according to plan,” he said.
That doesn’t mean he’s retiring from triathlons, though.
“There are improvements to be had by shedding more weight,” he said. “And life-wise.”
That brings a smile to his coach’s face.
“He’s young and motivated and a great team member,” Spierings said.
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Publish date : 2024-09-23 19:58:00
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