Women's Collegiate Triathlon Regional Qualifier Sept. 27 in Branson, Missouri

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The 2020 season begins Sept. 5 with the first regional qualifier in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, hosted by race management company Experience Triathlon. The second qualifier takes place in Branson, Missouri, on Sept. 27, as part of the Missouri State Multisport Weekend, hosted by Heartland Racing Co. and Drury University Triathlon. The third and final qualifier is set for Oct. 17 in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, as part of the Kinetic Cup Triathlon Festival, hosted by Kinetic Multisports.

Deemed an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women in 2014, triathlon has a 10-year window to demonstrate sustainability as an NCAA Championship sport by recruiting at least 40 varsity programs by 2024. To date, 34 schools offer triathlon at the varsity level for women, including seven at the NCAA Division I level, 13 in Division II and 14 in Division III.

Earlier this week, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, announced its decision to add women’s triathlon as a varsity sport. TCU becomes the second school, after ASU, from a Power Five Conference to add the sport.

“As we approach the precipice of women's triathlon becoming an NCAA sport, we are pleased to expand the regional qualifiers to a new location in Branson, while returning to the beautiful venues of Pleasant Prairie and Smith Mountain Lake,” said Jenny Garrison, President of the Collegiate Triathlon Coaches Association. “I am so excited for this season as we are at this crucial tipping point.”

The National Championships field will be limited to 75 women representing NCAA varsity programs. More information on invitation criteria is available at usatriathlon.org/ncaa.

For more information about triathlon as an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women, visit usatriathlon.org/ncaa. For questions regarding events and programming, as well as invitation requests for women’s collegiate triathlon season competitions, contact Welk at [email protected].

2020 Event Schedule

Pleasant Prairie Regional Qualifier
Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
Location: Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
Host: Experience Triathlon

Branson Regional Qualifier
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
Location: Branson, Mo.
Host: Heartland Racing Co. and Drury University Triathlon

Smith Mountain Lake Regional Qualifier
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Location: Smith Mountain Lake, Va.
Host: Kinetic Multisports

Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championships (qualification required)
November 2020 (exact date TBA)
Location: Tempe, Ariz.
Host: Arizona State University

About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors – as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation – USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).