Marc Regen, Editor

La Salle University Triathlon is a new NCAA Division I women’s collegiate triathlon team that began its inaugural season in Sept. 2025, competing in NCAA-regulated sprint-distance races that include a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. The program was launched in the fall of 2024 alongside women’s rugby, acrobatics and tumbling and a reinstated baseball program to provide new athletic opportunities for young men and women at the university.

The logistics of a triathlon encompass the careful planning, organization and execution required by both race organizers and individual athletes. For athletes, it is a discipline focused on managing equipment and navigating transitions efficiently. For organizers, it involves managing complex racecourses, a large number of athletes and extensive safety protocol.

The Explorers triathlon team are off to a strong start this season, with four team members finishing in the Top 10 in their first race. One of their successful team members, graduate student Fiona Davoudi, was recently named the NovaCare Rehabilitation Student-Athlete of the Week on Sept. 9, just days after she came in second in their first race of the season.

NovaCare Rehabilitation partners with colleges, including La Salle, Temple and Villanova to provide athletic training and physical therapy for their student-athletes. As part of these partnerships, NovaCare sponsors a “Student-Athlete of the Week” award to recognize athletic performance and achievement. The winner is often chosen based on a fan vote on the universities’ athletic social media channels.

Averi Duncan, Beth Eldredge, Sofia Nordbeck, Luciana Ruiz, Sophie Brandwene and Gabriela Herbreder round out the rest of the team.

The Explorers will compete in three regular-season events in Sept. before embarking on the East Regional Championship on Oct. 25, followed by the subsequent National Championship on Nov. 8.

The Collegian caught up with La Salle Triathlon’s head coach, Sage Maaranen, for an interview.

Collegian: Where does the team compete?

SM: This year: Williamsburg, VA; Pittsburgh, PA; Richmond, VA; Charlotte, NC; Tempe, AZ.

C: When does the team compete?

SM: Fall is the championship season. Regional Champs are at the end of Oct. and Nationals 

is Nov 8. After that, training switches focus to individual performance so that athletes are ready to race their own spring and summer races.

C: What is their training regimen?

SM: Two to three sessions per day with a strong emphasis on the swim because a strong swim is essential to be in the thick of the race on the bike and run segments.

C: How or what is the selection process for creating the team?

SM: The majority of athletes on the roster come from the Junior Elite triathlon circuit.

C: How does the team get into the NCAA or can you  explain a bit on how that all works?

SM: Triathlon is considered an emerging sport by the NCAA and functions just like any other NCAA team on campus.

C: How did the team do in their recent competition?

SM: Our first race was a great start to the season. We had four athletes finish in the Top 10, Fiona Davoudi finished second and Sophie Brandwene posted a personal best 5k run-off-the-bike split.

C: What do you look forward to coaching in triathlon this year?

SM: Seeing this group of athletes who are used to racing as individuals work together to compete as a unit. NCAA Triathlon provides a unique opportunity for athletes to truly be part of a team.