South West Academy of Sport alumni athlete Zeke Tinley has been named Triathlon Western Australia’s 2021-22 Male Open Triathlete of the Year, after delivering extremely strong and consistent performances throughout the season.

The star athlete was announced the recipient of the honour at an awards function held to recognise the achievements and contributions of the State’s best triathletes.

A crowd of almost 200 turned out to celebrate at the event held at Ambrose Estate located within the Wembley Golf Course on Sunday May 22.

“It was super exciting, a big honour,” Tinley.

“There’s some really quality names – who have gone on to pretty awesome things – on the trophy, so it’s really exciting.

“I think it’s a really nice recognition of the work that I’ve been putting in very consistently for a really long time, but also to people around me who have been supporting me for a really long time.”

Tinley came away from the 2021/22 Senior State Series with four race wins including the State Aquathlon Championships and the State Cross Tri Championships. He was the top point scoring Open Male athlete for 2021/22.

The South West product is now looking forward to opportunities opening up in the months leading into summer, including the 2022 Noosa Triathlon in October.

“I’ve been kind of stuck here for two-and-a-half years, so I’m excited to be able to branch out a bit more and be able to race over East and internationally to further my career elsewhere,” Tinley said.

“That’s probably what’s next for me.”

Tinley, who is studying medicine at the University of Western Australia, acknowledged the support SWAS had provided to him, initially as a hockey player with the academy.

“The transition to triathlon was facilitated by SWAS, I guess. And that was really nice having the confidence put behind me to really go for it after being a hockey player,” Tinley said.

Feature image: Keith Hedgeland