JORDAN MERCER FOLLOWS FAMOUS FOOTSTEPS INTO NUTRI-GRAIN SERIES

September 19: Sunshine Coast teenager Jordan Mercer has today ensured her famous surname will once again grace the sands of professional Ironman racing after she was one of 10 qualifiers for this year's Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series.

Young Mercer finished eighth behind Northcliffe duo Harriet Brown and Bonnie Hancock in a hotly contest Ironwoman Trial final at Tugun, which saw Mooloolaba's Matt Poole win the Ironman final.

With legendary father and coach Darren Mercer and the family clan urging her on, 16-year-old Jordan showed she has all the finesse and surf skills that made her dad and uncle Dean Mercer synonymous with Australian ironman racing.

Young Mercer is one of four teenagers to qualify for the Series, joining Amy Nurthen (Terrigal) and Miranda Davies (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park) in the women's Series and Jordan's Noosa Heads training partner Mitch Miller, the only teenager among the eight men's qualifiers.

Poole fought hard with seasoned campaigner Wes Berg at the front of the men's final but the younger legs prevailed through the final two run and swim legs.

Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Trial qualifiers 2010-11 Series - MEN: M Poole (Mooloolaba), W Berg (Nth Burleigh), D Newbiggin (Mooloolaba), A Tibbits (Mooloolaba), S Hamilton (Tugun), J Minogue (Mooloolaba), M Miller (Noosa Heads), M Simpson (Cronulla). WOMEN - B Hancock (Northcliffe) H Brown (Northcliffe),G Newbiggin (Mooloolaba), A Nurthen (Terrigal), R Creedy (Metropolitan Caloundra), B Moir (Nth Burleigh), M Davies (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park), J Mercer (Noosa Heads), A Bennett (Nth Burleigh), T Sullivan (Northcliffe).