Following a five-year absence the Pepperdine Triathlon Team is up and running once again in its inaugural season as a revamped squad thanks to a vibrant core of dedicated athletes. Senior and former cross country star Brianna Blanchard headlines a strong team that recently sent four competitors and two relay teams to Oxnard Calif. to face USC on Saturday.
Sophomores Lauren Burnham and Joanne Perry are among the other leaders and have rounded up 22 athletes this year for their two-part roster. Of these seven compete in the competitive category and 15 run swim and bike through the rigorous course in the non-competitive group.
Not only do the Waves have qualified student leadership but they have named Lydia Graham as the team’s head coach. Graham has trained for many years at the professional tri-athlete level and has even competed in two Olympic trials.
“Coach Graham is very enthusiastic and supportive of everyone on the team no matter their experience Blanchard said. Her background and expertise benefits us greatly.”
The Pepperdine triathlon club team has been competing this season as part of the West Coast Collegiate Triathlon Conference which includes 24 schools throughout California and the surrounding region. The Waves are quickly making their mark.
“We have been very well-received into the conference Blanchard said. All the teams we have met at our races have been very supportive and excited for us to join.”
Up against the likes of UC San Diego Cal Poly Stanford and UCLA the Waves haven’t been discouraged instead taking it one stroke at a time.
For many of the Pepperdine triathletes it’s not so much the training or the race itself as it is the enthusiasm and community feel.
“I would say the best part so far is how excited everyone is about the team Blanchard said. Those who are new and just getting into the sport of triathlon are jumping into it with energy and enthusiasm. I love introducing others to triathlons.”
The Triathlon Club team has become a second family to many team members.
“[Triathlons] are a big challenge Burnham said. I can’t imagine doing these without the support of the people I’m doing them with.”
In its latest competition Pepperdine sent four tri-athletes and two relay teams to Oxnard. Nearly 250 competitors from all over the West Coast were in attendance.
The Waves expect to send three or four of their top competitors to the national championships in Lubbock Texas in April following the Cal Poly Conference Championships which begin Saturday March 27.
