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USA TRIATHLON NCAA INITIATIVE


Achieving emerging sport status for women is a starting place for a new sport like triathlon. It is a realistic process that will enable institutional athletic programs to gradually develop the structure and traditions of the sport. Once the institutional program and competition event models are proven successful, the men will hopefully get an opportunity to participate in triathlon at the NCAA varsity level.


What is the proposed structure of an NCAA triathlon team? USA Triathlon is proposing the following squad formats for NCAA triathlon: • Novice (non-drafting): 5-7 athletes • Varsity (draft-legal): 5 athletes


How many scholarships will likely be available? Women’s triathlon at the NCAA level would start with 3.5 scholarships with the planned growth of additional scholarships over a two- or three-year period. Approximately 7-10 scholarships would be the total number of available scholarships based on the final structure of the sport.


What is the length of the proposed NCAA triathlon season?


NCAA triathlon is proposed as a fall sport with competition in September through the beginning of November.


What is the proposed competition format for NCAA triathlon? USA Triathlon is proposing an extremely flexible structure:


Open Water Swim Options: Swim: 600m-1k / Bike: 20-30k / Run: 4-6k


Pool Swim Options (Team Invitational Event featuring 2-3 Teams): Swim: 600m-1k / Bike: 20-30k / Run: 4-6k


Team Relay Event (2-16 Teams): Each member of the four-person relay team completes a full swim/bike/ run:


Swim: 300m / Bike: 10k / Run: 2k


NCAA Championship Event: Open Water Swim:


Swim: 600m-1k / Bike: 20-30k / Run: 4-6k


Why would NCAA triathlon be contested in the draft-legal manner? USA Triathlon is proposing triathlon be categorized as a team sport with a focus on team scoring. The cycling portion of NCAA triathlon races would incorporate the draft-legal format utilized by the International Triathlon Union and in the Olympic Games. This style of racing emphasizes team tactics and is extremely spectator friendly. Courses will feature multiple loops (on the bike and the run) allowing fans to easily follow the drama of the event.


How can I help triathlon become an NCAA sport?


If you have a strong connection with an NCAA athletic department and would like to see triathlon added at your institution, please contact USA Triathlon National Events Director Jeff Dyrek at 719-955-2815 or jeff.dyrek@usatriathon.org.


USA TRIATHLON YOUTH GUIDE 29


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