Montverdes Ciara Pepper Hopkins ranked No. 1 in nation for triathlons

Montverde freshman Ciara "Pepper" Hopkins

Montverde freshman Ciara Pepper Hopkins, a track and cross country runner for the Eagles, has been ranked as the No. 1 female triathlete in the country in the 15-and-under age group by USA Triathlon for the 2011 season.

The rankings were announced on March 28.

The ranking comes after a 2011 season where Hopkins, who lives in Clermont,took first-place in her age division in each of the seven triathlons she competed.