It was a breakthrough performance for the Yukon.

A pair of third-place finishes at the Hayman Classic 2015 B.C. Youth Road Championships in Penticton last month left U Kon Echelon coach Trena Irving feeling pleased with her club’s progress.

“This year proved to be a successful one,” Irving said.

Her daughter, Ava Irving-Staley, placed third in the U13 girls category in both the time trial and criterium to earn a third-place finish overall.

Meanwhile, teammate Gabrielle Perrault placed third in a gruelling road race to give the territory another top-three finish at the event which took place May 23 and 24.

Other Yukoners competing included Isla Hupe, Cauis Taggart-Cox, Lucas Taggart-Cox, Micah Taggart-Cox, Tristan Muir, Cayla Jackson, Mel Pemble, Ian Hansen and David Jackson.

The majority of the territory’s cyclists finished near the back of the pack, but coach Irving was proud nonetheless.

“Yukon athletes are always told to finish no matter what,” she said. “Some riders quit if they get dropped from the pack, (but) we never allow athletes to do that.”

“I am extremely proud of all of my athletes for showing excellent sportsmanship, perseverance and the ability to ride with southern racers in a pack,” Irving added.

“My goals as a coach for the future are to have the younger athletes train and race with me for at least 10 years, and then be in a better place to look at placing at Westerns and Canada Games.”