USA Triathlon

Are you ready to put your skills to the test, go beyond your limits, and claim your spot amongst the elite? USA Triathlon is thrilled to invite athletes of all levels to participate in the USA Triathlon Virtual Combine on GMTM this November. Whether you're an experienced triathlete or a budding enthusiast, this event is designed for everyone, and you don't need any prior experience to join in the fun. November Challenge Throughout the entire month of November, you have the incredible opportunity to take part in the Virtual Combine and showcase your athletic prowess. This is your chance to push your boundaries, set new personal records, and connect with fellow athletes from around the world. How to Participate: Participation is simple - just complete the Virtual Combine during November. It's all about challenging yourself, tracking your progress, and aiming for victory. All submissions must be finalized and submitted before the campaign concludes on November 30, 2023.  Share your achievements, upload your best times, and see where you rank among your peers in weekly results, all while having the chance to snag some fantastic prizes. Weekly Leaderboards Will Keep You on the Edge: The excitement doesn't stop with your performance. Check the leaderboards each Monday and see how you stack up against your peers.  Earning Recognition & Prizes  As if the thrill of competition and self-improvement isn't enough, we've also prepared some amazing prizes for you. Athletes who complete the Virtual Combine in November will have the chance to win some fun rewards: One lucky athlete will be randomly selected to receive a $50 Spring Energy Gift Card. Refuel your body with high-quality nutrition! One lucky athlete will win a Gatorade Prize Pack (estimated value $50) to keep you hydrated and energized. The grand finale! One athlete will be awarded a $250 Hoka gift card to enhance your athletic gear collection. Seize the Moment Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to showcase your skills, set new personal records, and win amazing prizes. Mark your calendar, invite your friends, and gear up for the USA Triathlon Virtual Combine on GMTM this November. Whether you're in it for the competition, personal growth, or the chance to win fantastic prizes, this event has something for everyone. It's time to seize the moment, athletes, and show the world what you're made of!  Join us, and together, let's make November unforgettable.

Collegiate triathlon, a sport that combines swimming, biking, and running, has its roots in the early 1980s in the United States. Today, collegiate triathlon is a thriving sport with more than 150 schools fielding teams and over 3,000 athletes competing annually in the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships. From Grassroots Racing to National Championships One major factor is the sport's inclusiveness and accessibility. Unlike some other collegiate sports that require specialized facilities or equipment, triathlon can be practiced almost anywhere with a pool, a bike, and running shoes. This has allowed colleges and universities of various sizes and resources to field teams and offer the sport as a varsity or club program. Another factor is the grassroots efforts of triathlon enthusiasts and student-athletes who have worked to promote the sport and establish new programs at their schools. Many collegiate triathlon teams have been started by students who were already involved in one or two of the sport's disciplines, such as swimming or running, and saw an opportunity to compete in all three. Finally, the increasing popularity of triathlon as a recreational and competitive sport outside of the college ranks has also fueled its growth at the collegiate level. With more people participating in triathlons across the country, there has been a corresponding increase in demand for collegiate programs that offer the opportunity to compete at a higher level. Triathlon Is Not An NCAA-Sponsored Sport… Yet. Despite its growing popularity and presence at the collegiate level, triathlon is not currently a recognized sport by the NCAA, the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in the United States. One reason for this is the NCAA's criteria for adding new sports to its official roster. In order to be considered for NCAA championship status, a sport must meet certain requirements, such as having at least 40 member schools sponsoring the sport and having a minimum of 20 schools participate in the regular-season competition. While collegiate triathlon has more than 150 schools fielding teams, it has yet to reach the threshold for NCAA championship status. Another challenge facing collegiate triathlon is the lack of uniformity in competition formats and rules. Unlike established NCAA sports like basketball or football, which have standardized playing surfaces and rules across all schools and conferences, triathlon competitions can vary widely in distance, format, and course terrain. This can make it difficult to compare results and establish a clear hierarchy of teams and athletes. Despite these challenges, some advocates for collegiate triathlon continue to push for the sport's inclusion in the NCAA. They argue that the sport's unique combination of swimming, biking, and running appeals to a broad range of athletes and could help increase diversity and participation in college athletics. They also point to the success of the sport's current governing body, USA Triathlon, in organizing national championships and providing support for collegiate programs. How Title IX And Equal Scholarship Opportunities Could Help Triathlon Title IX, a federal law passed in 1972, has had a significant impact on the growth and development of women's sports in the United States. Among other provisions, the law requires that educational institutions that receive federal funding provide equal opportunities for male and female athletes. While Title IX does not specifically mandate the addition of new sports to NCAA programs, it has played a role in the expansion of women's athletics in general, and could potentially be a factor in the future inclusion of triathlon as an NCAA sport. Advocates for collegiate triathlon have pointed to Title IX as a potential avenue for increasing the visibility and support for the sport at the college level. They argue that the addition of triathlon as an NCAA sport could provide new opportunities for female athletes and help address existing disparities in funding and resources for women's sports. However, it is worth noting that the NCAA has not yet indicated any plans to add triathlon to its list of sponsored sports, and the current challenges facing the sport's inclusion in the NCAA go beyond Title IX considerations. Triathlon Gains Popularity Through The Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has had both positive and negative effects on the sport of triathlon. While it initially led to the cancellation or postponement of many triathlon events, including some collegiate races, the sport has seen a resurgence in popularity in some areas. One positive effect of the pandemic has been the increased interest in outdoor and individual sports, as many people sought ways to stay active while avoiding crowded indoor spaces. Triathlon, with its focus on swimming, cycling, and running, was well-suited to this trend and saw an uptick in participation as a result. However, the pandemic also had negative effects on the sport, including the cancellation of many races and the financial strain on race organizers and athletes. Additionally, restrictions on swimming in public pools and bodies of water limited the training opportunities for some triathletes, especially those who were new to the sport. Overall, while the pandemic had both positive and negative effects on the sport of triathlon, it is clear that the interest in outdoor and individual sports has led to an increased popularity of triathlon in some areas. Triathlon Has Gained Traction as a High School Sport Triathlon has grown in popularity at the high school level in recent years, with an increasing number of schools and organizations offering opportunities for student-athletes to participate in the sport. While triathlon is not yet recognized as an official sport by many state athletic associations, several states have started to offer state championship events and other opportunities for high school triathletes. For example, California and Arizona both have state-sponsored triathlon championships for high school students, and other states such as Texas and Minnesota have seen a rise in the number of schools offering triathlon programs or club teams. In addition to state-level competitions, there are also several national organizations that offer events and programs for high school triathletes. USA Triathlon, the sport's governing body in the United States, hosts a High School National Championship event each year, and also offers coaching and development resources for high school coaches and athletes. Other organizations, such as the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), have also started to incorporate triathlon into their programming or have recognized the sport as an emerging activity. While the popularity of high school triathlon is still relatively small compared to more established sports, its growth in recent years suggests that there is a demand for the sport among student-athletes and that it may continue to expand in the future. Triathlon Is Growing In Popularity at the High School Level In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of high school and college athletes participating in triathlon. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the sport's unique combination of swimming, cycling, and running, as well as its potential for individual achievement and competition. Here are three factors that may help the sport continue to grow in popularity among student-athletes: Accessibility and inclusivity: Triathlon can be a more accessible sport compared to other popular sports, as it requires relatively little equipment or resources to get started. It also has the potential to be more inclusive, as it is a sport that can be adapted to a wide range of ages and abilities. Health and fitness benefits: Triathlon promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, which is a growing concern among parents, educators, and health professionals. The sport's emphasis on swimming, cycling, and running can also provide a well-rounded fitness regimen, which may be attractive to student-athletes looking for a challenge.\ Scholarship opportunities: As the sport continues to grow, there may be more opportunities for student-athletes to receive athletic scholarships at the college level. This could help attract more young athletes to the sport and provide them with opportunities to continue their athletic careers beyond high school. Overall, while triathlon may face some challenges in gaining recognition as an official sport at the high school and college level, its unique combination of disciplines and potential for growth make it an intriguing option for young athletes looking for a new challenge.

Last weekend, over 1,000 of the best collegiate triathletes arrived in Lake Lanier, Georgia to compete in the 2023 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships. 80 different college clubs were represented in the competition, which was being hosted by Empower Multisport for the second consecutive time by USA Triathlon. A team from GMTM.com, which has helped grow the sport of triathlon on the college level through a digital event, also arrived at the race site to document the athletes in person. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One of the nation’s most high-energy triathlon events, USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships kicked off today in Lake Lanier 🤩🔥<br><br>Congratulations to Rollie Grinder of <a href="https://twitter.com/uarizona?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@uarizona</a> and Ben Bettin of <a href="https://twitter.com/CUBoulder?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CUBoulder</a> who secured the Draft-Legal national title 🥇 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USATCN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USATCN</a> <a href="https://t.co/RwNKnJJaeb">pic.twitter.com/RwNKnJJaeb</a></p>&mdash; USA Triathlon (@usatriathlon) <a href="https://twitter.com/usatriathlon/status/1647043340741771267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> The setting at Georgia's Lake Lanier provided ideal conditions for the hundreds of athletes, coaches, and spectators who attended. Race Director, Todd Gollnick, described the setting as such on the event website: "The calm waters of Lake Lanier should provide some fast swim splits. The Draft Legal & Mixed Relay bike and run courses are contained on the island and were designed to be fast-paced and spectator friendly. The Olympic bike will take you through the rolling hills of Buford GA and return to the island for a 6.2-mile run through the manicured grounds. All races will finish adjacent to the beach, and “spirit central” where University Team Zones will be located." The USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships has become the premier event for one of the newest collegiate sports - which is not yet an NCAA sport. Since USA Triathlon began using GMTM for talent identification, the number of college triathlon clubs around the country has grown to around 190. As for how each of the races played out, it was the team from Queens University in Charlotte that earned the overall team title, with 102 total points across all 5 of the events. The title would be the second in a row for Queen’s College, who also claimed the team title in 2019. Two other powerhouse programs finished second and third respectively - the University of California-Berkeley (162 points) and the University of Colorado-Boulder (241). Total Team Results from USA Triathlon: Queens University of Charlotte 102 points University of California-Berkeley 162 University of Colorado-Boulder 241 United States Naval Academy 308 Colorado State University 492 Despite the growing number of competitors in the event, the National Championships would still come down to a few athletes able to claim a national title in five different events. Draft-Legal - Friday, April 14th On Friday morning, the Men’s and Women’s Draft Legal Championship races were run. In draft-legal races, the athletes are able to ride their bikes directly behind other competitors to reduce wind resistance and save energy. Up to 75 men and 75 women raced in each event, which includes a 750-meter swim, 21-kilometer bike, and 5-kilometer run course. The draft-legal racing format, which enables athletes to ride in packs and work together on the bike, is similar to the racing style contested in elite World Triathlon events and the Olympic Games. The third-place finishers, the CU Triathlon Team, were led by senior Ben Bettin, who won both the Men’s Draft-Legal and Olympic Distance titles. Bettin also won both of the events at the 2022 Collegiate Club National Championships. Men’s Draft-Legal Results from USA Triathlon: Ben Bettin (University of Colorado-Boulder), 56:33 Jake Baugher (Queens University of Charlotte), 57:22 Niall Caley (Queens University of Charlotte), 57:41 Jonathan McKinley (University of California-Berkeley), 57:46 Luis Steiert (Wingate University), 58:05 Rollie Grinder of the University of Arizona won the Women’s Draft-Legal event. It was Grinder’s first national championship win. Women’s Draft-Legal Results from USA Triathlon: Rollie Grinder (University of Arizona), 1:03:24 Kathyrn Kennedy (University of California-Berkely), 1:04:00 Katharina Krosta (Queens University of Charlotte), 1:04:31 Eli Walz (United States Naval Academy), 1:05:02 Alexandra Poole (Duke University), 1:05:48 Olympic Distance - Saturday, April 15th On Saturday morning, the Men’s and Women’s Olympic distance Championship races were run. The Olympic triathlon comprises a 1.5km swim, a 40km bike ride, and a 10km run. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sweet, sweet victory 🥇<br><br>Congratulations to Eli Walz of <a href="https://twitter.com/NavalAcademy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NavalAcademy</a> and Ben Bettin of <a href="https://twitter.com/CUBoulder?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CUBoulder</a> for taking the Olympic-distance national title at the 2023 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USATCN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USATCN</a> <a href="https://t.co/aV1FtvyJOj">pic.twitter.com/aV1FtvyJOj</a></p>&mdash; USA Triathlon (@usatriathlon) <a href="https://twitter.com/usatriathlon/status/1647392503971164165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> On the men’s side, Bettin of Colorado would finish first on Saturday, more than a minute faster than Queen’s University’s Alejandro Dominguez. Men’s Olympic-Distance Results from USA Triathlon: Ben Bettin (University of Colorado-Boulder), 1:50:14 Alejandro Dominguez (Queens University of Charlotte), 1:51:40 Luis Steiert (Wingate University), 1:52:38 Niall Caley (Queens University of Charlotte), 1:53:13 Jake Baugher (Queens University of Charlotte), 1:53:23 The Naval Academy’s Eli Walz would claim the Women’s title, representing one of the four service academies who fielded teams last weekend - also including the Coast Guard, Military (West Point), and Air Force. Women’s Olympic-Distance Results from USA Triathlon: Eli Walz (United States Naval Academy), 2:05:30 Rollie Grinder (University of Arizona), 2:06:50 Kathryn Kennedy (University of California-Berkeley), 2:07:31 Paige Kouba (University of California-Davis), 2:10:29 Emma MacDonald (West Point Triathlon Club), 2:10:35 Mixed-Relay - Sunday, April 16th On Sunday morning, the Mixed Relay Championship was held. Four athletes are on a team representing an individual college club. Each athlete completes a super sprint triathlon, which includes a 300m swim, approx 6.6km bike and 1km run. After one team member finishes, they tag a teammate who begins their triathlon. The fastest cumulative time for the team of four would be named National Champions. Often, the race comes down to a sprint finish. The fast, exciting and spectator-friendly Mixed Relay discipline debuted as a medal event at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, with the U.S. team winning the silver medal. Mixed-Relay Results from USA Triathlon: University of California-Berkeley (1:03:51) Queens University of Charlotte (1:04:01) United States Naval Academy (1:04:08) Colorado State University (1:07:58) Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo (1:09:49)