Swim. Bike. Run.

Texas A&M University Triathlon Club members race for their future

In March, Madeline Racine '13 rides in the 2012 South Midwest Collegiate Conference Championship in Dallas at Joe Pool Lake.

Since 2003, the Texas A&M University Triathlon Club has provided students an outlet for fitness and competition. The club has grown from 10 members to one of the largest collegiate triathlon teams in the nation with 160 members. Many students join to get in shape. “Most people join our team as beginners because they want to do their first triathlon,” said Lauren Lewis ’11, the club’s former president. “We have had some of our now ‘elite’ members join the team as pure beginners.”

All of their time in the pool, on their bikes and running has forged a special bond between club members. “The people on this team are more than just teammates, we are like a family,” said Robert Dao ’14, the club’s president. “Being a triathlete is a way of life and the people on this team make it worth living that life!”

The Triathlon Club is sponsored by Bay Area Schwinn, GU, Brazos Valley Running Company, WheelBuilder.com, Blue Seventy Wetsuits and Rudy Project. These companies provide equipment and products necessary for members to participate in races.

Lauren Lewis '13 swims the Texas A&M Time Trial courses on March 3, 2012.      Photo Credit: Marcus Ogle

“In the past year we have raced at USA Triathlon (USAT) Collegiate Nationals, USAT Collegiate Southmidwest Regionals, Dallas U.S. Open, Katy Triathlon, Houston Triathlon, Tri Andy's Tri, Frost your Fanny Duathlon, Kemah Triathlon and many more.” Lewis said.

Looking to take a step towards financial security, the club has taken on a new challenge: to fully fund the Texas A&M Triathlon Club Endowment through the Texas A&M Foundation. In accordance with their March 2012 agreement, the club will have five years to raise $25,000, the minimum amount to fund an endowment. The initial commitment of $1,500 from the club has been raised and saved by members in previous years.

Robert Dao '14 bikes 40 kilometers following a 1,500 meter swim in the 2012 USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Photo Credit: Marcus Ogle

“The officers from last year wanted to look to the future of their organization,” said Associate Director of Recreational Sports James Welford. “They wanted something that would continue to impact the club for years to come, and the endowment will support the club as long as there are members swimming, biking and running for the maroon and white.”

The Triathlon Club can use the distributions from the endowment for travel to competitions, accommodations, entry fees, scholarships, new training equipment and salary supplements for the club’s coaches.

Members of the Triathlon Club look to the future with excitement, knowing that this endowment will continue to benefit the club as long as it exists.

By Anna Eubank ’13

You can contribute now to the Triathlon Club endowment with a credit card donation.

You can support other student organizations at Texas A&M with a gift of an endowment to the Texas A&M Foundation.