New triathlon club forms on campus

    Murray State hosts a variety of athletic organizations, ranging from the Cycling Club to the rowing team to the Ultimate Frisbee Club, and most recently the triathlon club SwimBikeRun.
    The club was founded less than two weeks ago by Jim Carter, vice president for institutional advancement.
    With the city and University’s active running, cycling and swimming groups, Carter says it was only a matter of tying all of them together.
    SwimBikeRun athletes will not only compete in triathlons, but also in events combining two of the three sports.
    Carter said competing in triathlons is encouraged but not required.
    “Even though a triathlon is a goal of the group, we also very much want and already do have interest among folks who maybe are interested in just biking or in running,” he said.
    One significant difference between SwimBikeRun and other campus athletic clubs is its recruitment policy, which welcomes all students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.
    Julie Santiago, head coach for the Murray Youth Swim Team, will help lead the team with Carter. She said SwimBikeRun will focus on three levels of participation: training, knowledge and events.
    A practice schedule is still in the works, but Santiago plans to have numerous practices throughout the day for all three areas.
    “The schedule will evolve based on member involvement and interest level,” she said.
    Santiago and Carter also anticipate offering seminars and clinics on nutrition, bicycle maintenance and repair, injury prevention and more.
    While Santiago acknowledges that the middle of the semester is not the ideal time to start a new club, especially one requiring a great deal of time and energy, neither she nor Carter wanted to postpone the club’s formation.
    “We just couldn’t wait any longer,” Santiago said. “We owe it to our potential members to get this thing moving.”
    With the triathlon season currently underway, throughout the next few months nearby cities will hold various events.
    “I would guess within a few hours drive of Murray, there will be 15-20, and that’s just triathlons going on in the next six months,” Carter said.
    Carter also plans for Murray to host triathlon events in the future, as the influx of athletes from other cities would economically benefit the community.
    Santiago’s eventual goal is to have athletes qualify for nationals.
    She also plans for the team to be part of the Midwest Collegiate Triathlon Conference in the near future.
    SwimBikeRun is recognized as an official triathlon team under USA Triathlon, the organization that sets Olympic and national qualifying times.
    While a few faculty, staff and community members have signed up, the club is still looking to recruit students.
    Kevin Bogard, senior from Nashville, Tenn., and president of the Cycling Club, expressed interest in SwimBikeRun.
    “Having a tri team would be great, because even if they don’t race for us they can train with us and that would be mutually beneficial for everyone involved,” he said.
    Anyone seeking additional information or membership can contact Santiago at swimbikerunmurray@gmail.com.
    Contact Reside at nicholas.reside@murraystate.edu.