Stellar month included wins at U.S. Olympic Trials and St. Anthony's Triathlon.

Triathlete Matt Reed (Boulder, Colo.) finished third in voting for The United States Olympic Committee Male Athlete of the Month for April.

Reed won the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Triathlon in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on April 19. Reed used a strong run to outpace 2004 Olympians Hunter Kemper and Andy Potts at the Olympic Trials to earn the second spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for triathlon. He then followed his Olympic Trials performance with a victory at the prestigious St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Fla., on April 27.

The Athlete and Team of the Month for April were awarded to swimmers Jessica Hardy (Long Beach, Calif.) and Ryan Lochte (Gainesville, Fla.) as well as the U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team.

Hardy won three gold medals, set two world records and one American record at the 2008 Short Course World Championships in Manchester, England, April 9-13. She struck gold in the 50m and 100m breaststrokes and broke the world record in the 50m event. She was also a member of the winning and world-record breaking 400m medley relay team.

Lochte took home male swimmer of the meet honors for his overall performance at the 2008 FINA Short Course World Championships, April 9-13. In Manchester, he earned four gold medals, set three world records, won two silver medals, and set two American records.

The U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team captured its second world championship with a 4-3 win over archrival Canada in the gold-medal game. The Americans beat Canada, the reigning World and Olympic champion, an unprecedented two times during the 2008 World Women's Hockey Championship, held in Harbin, China, April 4-12. The Canadians had not lost in 29 straight games. In addition to the two wins over Canada, Team USA earned victories over Switzerland and Germany and outscored opponents 23-8.

Results

Men
1. Ryan Lochte, Swimming
2. Spenser Mango, Wrestling
3. Matt Reed, Triathlon

Women
1. Jessica Hardy, Swimming
2. Natalie Darwitz, Ice Hockey
3. Deena Kastor, Track and Field

Team
1. U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team
2. U.S. Women's National Field Hockey Team
3. U.S. Davis Cup Team

About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the national governing body for triathlon - the fastest growing sport in the U.S. - as well as duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions 2,300 races and connects with more than 100,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USAT provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Championships, Pan American Games, and the Olympic Games.

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Website: http://www.usatriathlon.org