USA Triathlon Collegiate Recruitment Program Announces Pipeline

USA Triathlon has partnered with Life Time - The Healthy Way of Life Company to create a high performance training environment in Scottsdale, Ariz., for the organization's Collegiate Recruitment Program, a talent identification program for former collegiate swimmers and runners.

Program members Summer Cook, Chad Hall, Chelsea Burns, Kevin McDowell, Katie Hursey, Josh Izewski and coach Melissa Mantak utilize the resources available at Life Time Fitness Scottsdale. (Rich Cruse/USA Triathlon)

Seven identified athletes in the Collegiate Recruitment Program relocated to Scottsdale in January 2014 with the aim of focusing their skills and talent toward an Olympic berth for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The athletes and USA Triathlon coaches will utilize Life Time Fitness Scottsdale as the hub for all strength and conditioning activity, as well as swim training and performance testing. The program was previously based at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

"As the Collegiate Recruitment Program continues to expand its reach, we wanted to establish a high-caliber training base while considering factors such as climate, environment, facilities and expertise," said Andy Schmitz, USA Triathlon High Performance General Manager. "By relocating the program to Scottsdale and employing the various resources available to athletes through Life Time's Endurance programming, we are able to provide specialized instruction to athletes who have demonstrated their potential to be on the U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team as early as 2016."

USA Triathlon's Collegiate Recruitment Program was launched in 2009 to actively recruit Division I swimmers and runners to the sport of triathlon. Through established coaching and mentoring channels, USA Triathlon provides athletes with the skills needed to become elite triathletes and finish on the podium at ITU World Triathlon Series events and the Olympic Games. Gwen Jorgensen, a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team and the first U.S. woman to ever win an ITU World Triathlon Series event, became an elite triathlete in 2010 with help from the Collegiate Recruitment Program following her time as a standout runner at the University of Wisconsin. For more on the Collegiate Recruitment Program, visit usatriathlon.org/crp.

"Life Time is honored to support the development of these talented young athletes as they prepare for world class competition, representing the U.S.," said Troy Jacobson, Sr. National Director of Life Time Endurance Sports Training. "Our Life Time destinations nationwide offer endurance athletes of all levels advanced training solutions and amenities from triathlon coaching to metabolic testing. We're excited to have the opportunity to help these future triathletes reach their star potential." 

Life Time Endurance is designed to help people of all levels improve their performance and succeed in endurance events and competitions. Each endurance coaching plan at Life Time includes personal interaction with a certified Life Time coaching professional, customized training schedules, strategic short and long term training and race schedule planning as well as discounts on selected products and services. Life Time Endurance training takes place within Life Time Fitness and Life Time Athletic destinations nationwide and provides a complete health and fitness experience for each athlete including internal health assessments, hundreds of the latest cardiovascular and weight machines, group fitness classes, complimentary child centers and free lockers and towels.

About Life Time Fitness, Inc.: As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time Fitness (NYSE:LTM) helps organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest - or discovering new passions - both inside and outside of Life Time's distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Company's Healthy Way of Life approach enables customers to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places of uncompromising quality and value. As of February 14, 2014, the Company operated 109 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC® brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com.

About USA Triathlon: Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon - the fastest growing sport in the U.S. Olympic Movement - as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 races and connects with more than 550,000 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).