Jack Toland is looking to continue his ascension in the sport he loves. He will have that chance during the upcoming Kirkland Triathlon on Sunday.

At just 18 years old, his two and a half years competing in triathlons have paid off. Recently, The Overlake School student took first place for his age group (20 and under) at the 2014 ITU Sprint Triathlon World Championships held in Edmonton, Canada.

“It was really awesome,” he said of the race. “Everything sort of pulled together.”

Last year, he took first for his age group in the Kirkland Triathlon, though he said he’s going for the overall gold on Sunday.

Incidentally, Toland spent his childhood on Lake Washington sailboat racing along with his parents, Laurian and Marv, in their Melges 24. He was also a member of the U.S. Optimist National Team. It was while sailing he said he developed a highly competitive spirit, which played a role when he first became interested in triathlons.

Toland said the decision to participate in his first race during May 2012 in Elma, Wash., along with his father, was done on the spur of the moment the day before the event. He performed well, taking first for his age group and fourth overall out of 60 participants.

“It was intense but fun at the same time,” he said.

Something about the combination of swimming, biking and running caught on with Toland, so much so that when he had the opportunity to sail with the U.S. Olympic Team, he turned it down in order to focus on triathlons.

Laurian said both she and her husband knew very little about triathlons prior to the first race.

“When they get older, they have their own destiny,” she said.

Toland puts in about 25 hours per week training, swimming daily in the mornings and then running cross country, which he’s done since middle school at Overlake during the afternoons. He also has several professional coaches helping him train.

“It all adds up,” he said. “It’s pretty much school, sleeping and training.”

In spite of the time crunch, he has still managed to make friends, even among his competitors.

“I have lots of different friends who train with me,” he said. “A few cross country friends, but since I’m in triathlon there are tons of people I’ve met.”

On his personal blog, he recounts his experiences during the races. To prepare for triathlons, he said he examines the various sections, depending on where the triathlon is being held. Local races require less studying due to familiarity with the terrain.

“I think it’s pretty unique for every single person,” he said. “You want to capitalize on resources before you throw yourself into it.”

He added that strategy is also crucial to success.

“I think knowing your strengths and weaknesses is important,” he said. “Killing on the bike just doesn’t always work. You have to have physical responses to different levels of intensity.”

For the Kirkland Triathlon, however, he said where he is going he won’t require a map.

“It goes close to my house,” he said.

While he hopes to take first, he said he plans to tone down the number of upcoming races in order to avoid potential injuries that might hurt his cross country season. During the Lifetime Fitness Leadman Marquee 125 in Arizona this past spring, Toland injured himself, though he still managed to take first overall amateur, as well as the fastest bike split.

“It was pretty hot down here,” he said. “I had been training during the winter. I ended up pretty dehydrated and pulled my calf, which led to a string of knee, ankle injuries.”

Staying off roadwork, Toland spent 10 weeks recovering from the injuries.

Beyond the upcoming triathlon, Toland hopes to run collegiate cross country in California and study aerospace engineering.

Toland’s race results are posted on his blog at jtolandtri.com.