ASU Triathlon Club's 2012 team. Photo courtesy of Sun Devil Triathlon Club.Founded this year, the ASU Triathlon Club team is looking to make its mark by swimming, biking and running their way to the national stage.
The club came together as a result of a split of the Cycling team and Triathlon team in the spring. A triathlon consists of a 1.5 k swim, a 40 k bike ride and a 10 k run in a one day endurance event.
In the team’s inaugural season, the first head coach is new to the coaching aspect, but has plenty of experience to lead the Devils to Nationals.
“I've been coaching for almost a decade now so I know what I have to do to help everyone get better,” Triathlon Coach Ron Arroyo says. “I just do my best everyday no matter what I am doing.”
The first part of the triathlon consists of swimming, and it ranges from 400 meter pool laps to a few miles. After getting dry, the athletes get on their bikes and pace themselves for a 24 mile bike ride. After the longest part of the day, it turns into a race to the finish with a six mile run.
The team has different levels of skills, and all students are invited to join.
The gold team, or competitive squad, will be working towards their goal of Nationals by taking part in Collegiate Nationals. ASU will compete against other schools
Arroyo invites anyone who is interested in the triathlon team to learn more about the team’s schedule and competition level.
“I would like them [the student body] to know its a fun, friendly environment that anyone can get involved in,” Arroyo says. “Although its a tough sport, it is great to challenge yourself to do things you my have thought were not possible.”
In the meantime before the spring events start, the team practices three times a week: two swim workouts and one track workout.
USA Triathlon, the league that the triathlon team is associated with, has announced that the 2013 and 2014 Collegiate National Championships will be held at Tempe Beach Park and at Tempe Town Lake.
As one of the newest club sports to join ASU, the triathlon team will be in training mode for a few more weeks until the collegiate competition starts.
You can reach me at etrianta@asu.edu
