One of the best teenage triathletes in the nation calls Colorado home.

Jacob Hofstra dreams to someday compete on the world stage.

“It’s almost an addiction,” he told The Denver Gazette.

Hofstra lives in Morrison and is currently ranked second nationally by USA Triathlon in the boys 15-and-under division. Hofstra competed in more than a dozen events over the past year to earn a reputation among the country’s top triathletes in his age group. It’s no surprise when you consider his dedication to swimming, biking and running.

“My whole life, I’ve really been into athletics,” Hofstra said. “But this year I just focused on triathlon.”

Hofstra is homeschooled in part to maximize a training program that demands 20-plus hours per week. He logs six swims, six runs and six rides for a total of 18 sessions. Hofstra will go 4 kilometers in the pool, 2.5 hours on a bike and four miles on a treadmill or trail — on just a typical Tuesday.

That work ethic led to impressive race results. In December, Hofstra placed third overall at the Clash Endurance Daytona Triathlon (long) — competing against adults — with a time of 2 hours, 55 minutes, 54 seconds.

“At the end of the year, I was really peaking,” Hofstra said. “I was zoned in.”

Robbie Deckard is helping Hofstra reach his potential.

The 30-year-old professional triathlete graduated from the University of Colorado and now spends his summers living in Boulder. Deckard offers personalized coaching and has advised Hofstra on his triathlon journey. Deckard, in a recent phone interview with The Denver Gazette, described Hofstra as “a well-spoken kid” who is a committed triathlete.

“He has more knowledge on training and physiology and triathlon than any 15-year-old I’ve ever met,” Deckard said. “He’s obviously done a good job reading and finding resources himself. Then we have calls every two to four weeks or so talking about training. He absorbs it like a sponge. … Just because of his hard work and dedication, he’s been able to progress from beginner level to elite amateur level — in the span of just a few years.”

Hofstra is scientific in his training approach. He undergoes “lactate threshold testing” every six weeks to help maximize the energy output from his muscles.

On any given day, you might find him running on the trails at Waterton Canyon or putting miles on his bike around Chatfield Reservoir. Hofstra ran for the Dakota Ridge cross country team last season. He’ll also be competing in the Bolder Boulder 10K race in May.

Hofstra plans to attain his “elite license” to compete in professional triathlon events. But his goals don’t stop there.

“The Ironman World Championships in Kona (Hawaii),” Hofstra said. “Winning that would probably be the ultimate dream.”

It is Deckard’s job to help Hofstra realize his goals while preventing athlete burnout. Finding that balance is key with plenty of racing ahead in his young triathlete career.

Hofstra is only beginning.

“Jacob will write the details of his workout and then I guide the overall process. That’s my most important role, making sure he doesn’t do too much,” Deckard said. “To reach the Ironman World Championships at the elite level is like playing in the NFL, but even more selective, because there are 50 guys racing.”