TEMPE, Ariz. – The 2017 Arizona State triathlon schedule has now been set and announced by head coach Cliff English. Highlighting the schedule, the Sun Devils look to defend their national title on their home turf in a Tempe-hosted championship in November.
"We are very excited about the growth of the ASU women's triathlon team for 2017-18," said English. "Seven student-athletes will be joining the remaining six from the 2016 national championship. Nationally, we are seeing more universities add women's triathlon as a varsity program and other schools, like us, are bolstering their current rosters. It's an exciting time for our sport and for ASU."
The Sun Devils return to Naperville and Berkeley for the Central (Sept. 4) and Western (Sept. 30) Regional Qualifiers, both races the team won in 2016. ASU won its first ever NCAA collegiate triathlon competition in Illinois last September before sweeping the podium just over a month later in California.
This season's Eastern Regional Qualifier (Oct. 7) moves from Greensboro, N.C. to Sarasota, Fla., a race in which Arizona State finished second in their opening season in 2016. The team qualified for their first national championships three times over, finishing in the top two in all three regular season races.
"We are also looking forward to Nov. 5 and I am certain the team will be ready for the opportunity to defend our national title."
To cap the season, Arizona State, in conjunction with the city of Tempe, will host the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship, as well as an age group race earlier in the morning.
Fans and supporters are encouraged to stay tuned as more details emerge and are released in the near future regarding November's event, including registration, a schedule of events, and more.
The Sun Devils lose only graduate transfer Amy Darlington to graduation while returning six and adding seven to the roster. The following seven student-athletes join returners Katie Gorczyca, Charlotte Ahrens, Sarah Quintero, Delaney Bucker, Kendal Williams, and Lillie Robinson.
ASU capped their inaugural season in 2016 at the highest level, with a national title in New Orleans, La. Three Sun Devils finished in the top seven, with Gorczyca finishing second, while all five ended in the top 14 among the field.
2017 ASU Triathlon Schedule
Sept. 4 – Central Regional Qualifier (Naperville, IL)
Sept. 30 – Western Regional Qualifier (Berkeley, CA)
Oct. 7 – Eastern Regional Qualifier (Sarasota, FL)
Nov. 5 – USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships (Tempe, AZ)
"We are very excited about the growth of the ASU women's triathlon team for 2017-18," said English. "Seven student-athletes will be joining the remaining six from the 2016 national championship. Nationally, we are seeing more universities add women's triathlon as a varsity program and other schools, like us, are bolstering their current rosters. It's an exciting time for our sport and for ASU."
The Sun Devils return to Naperville and Berkeley for the Central (Sept. 4) and Western (Sept. 30) Regional Qualifiers, both races the team won in 2016. ASU won its first ever NCAA collegiate triathlon competition in Illinois last September before sweeping the podium just over a month later in California.
This season's Eastern Regional Qualifier (Oct. 7) moves from Greensboro, N.C. to Sarasota, Fla., a race in which Arizona State finished second in their opening season in 2016. The team qualified for their first national championships three times over, finishing in the top two in all three regular season races.
"We are also looking forward to Nov. 5 and I am certain the team will be ready for the opportunity to defend our national title."
To cap the season, Arizona State, in conjunction with the city of Tempe, will host the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship, as well as an age group race earlier in the morning.
Fans and supporters are encouraged to stay tuned as more details emerge and are released in the near future regarding November's event, including registration, a schedule of events, and more.
The Sun Devils lose only graduate transfer Amy Darlington to graduation while returning six and adding seven to the roster. The following seven student-athletes join returners Katie Gorczyca, Charlotte Ahrens, Sarah Quintero, Delaney Bucker, Kendal Williams, and Lillie Robinson.
- Catherine Giuseffi, New Jersey state triathlon U19 winner
- Grace Obando, USA Triathlon Junior Elite team member
- Kenzi Wilson, Team USA Junior Team member
- Darby Middlebrook, the first female qualifier from the University of Michigan for the Collegiate Club National Championships
- Kyla Roy, the youngest athlete to compete in triathlon at the Canadian Summer Games, representing Canada on the Junior Elite Team in 2015 and 2016
- Rebecca Naughton, two-time duathlon national champion and three-time member of Team USA at world triathlon and duathlon championships
- Hannah Henry, Canadian Junior Elite National Championship and ITU Junior Elite world championship competitor
ASU capped their inaugural season in 2016 at the highest level, with a national title in New Orleans, La. Three Sun Devils finished in the top seven, with Gorczyca finishing second, while all five ended in the top 14 among the field.
2017 ASU Triathlon Schedule
Sept. 4 – Central Regional Qualifier (Naperville, IL)
Sept. 30 – Western Regional Qualifier (Berkeley, CA)
Oct. 7 – Eastern Regional Qualifier (Sarasota, FL)
Nov. 5 – USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships (Tempe, AZ)