COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Triathlon today announced its first-ever Collegiate Club National Poll, a list of the top-10 collegiate club triathlon teams — men’s and women’s combined — in the country based on a vote of leaders from registered collegiate clubs. Voting will occur each year on a monthly basis from January through April.
All registered USA Triathlon collegiate clubs are invited to participate in voting each month. In the first voting cycle, which took place in early February, leaders from 32 collegiate clubs weighed in by submitting their top-10 picks in order. Each first-place vote received 10 points, each ninth-place vote earned nine points, et cetera, and the school with the highest point total earned the No. 1 spot. The standings are meant to reflect each team’s overall strength and its potential to reach the combined men’s and women’s team podium at the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships.
After the first vote, eight-time defending national champions the University of Colorado at Boulder earned the No. 1 ranking with 197 points out of a possible 320. The U.S. Naval Academy (142), runners-up for the combined team title in 2017, took the No. 2 position, while the third-place team at last year’s National Championships, the University of California, Berkeley (102), rounded out the top three.
The poll provides an opportunity for schools across USA Triathlon’s 10 Collegiate Club Conferences to compare performances and team potential prior to meeting annually at the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships.
“The team element of collegiate club triathlon is unique in our sport, and we admire the year-round effort these athletes give to be in a strong position at the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships,” said Jessica Welk, USA Triathlon’s High School, Collegiate Club and Women’s NCAA Coordinator. “We are proud to recognize the performances of our top teams on a monthly basis, and highlight collegiate clubs outside of National Championships weekend.”
“With all of the hard work each conference puts in every year, I am happy we now have this small opportunity to bring our conferences closer together,” said James Petersen, Chair of the USA Triathlon Collegiate Committee. “We hope this will serve to increase the excitement and anticipation during our conference seasons in the lead-up to Nationals each year. It is important to remember this is just a start, and as time goes on we hope to bring more participation and enthusiasm to these polls and learn to adapt them to our sport in the best manner possible."
Updated standings following each monthly voting cycle will be available at usatriathlon.org.
Last year at the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 111 collegiate clubs competed for team and individual titles. The 2018 National Championships return to Tuscaloosa from April 27-28. For more information about collegiate club triathlon, click here or email Welk at Jessica.Welk@usatriathlon.org.
USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Poll: February 2018
1. University of Colorado at Boulder, 197 points
2. United States Naval Academy, 142
3. University of California, Berkeley, 102
4. Queens University of Charlotte, 95
5. Colorado State University, 89
6. Texas A&M University, 78
7. United States Military Academy, 64
T-8. Arizona State University, 57
University of California, Los Angeles, 57
10. Stanford University, 45
Others Receiving Votes:
University of Arizona, 39; Columbia University, 27; Michigan State University, 25; University of Michigan, 25
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 races and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, 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 Committee (USOC).