Triathlon Team: The Road to Nationals
Solie Lawson | Nov. 4, 2025
Photo of women’s triathlon team.
The triathlon team at Warren Wilson College (WWC) is a small group of hardworking individuals, proving that it is possible to be a competitive college athlete while also having fun.
Elena Wheeler, a senior on the Community Engagement Crew, described her experience on the team as one filled with dedication. She met the current triathlon coach, Jorge Marin, last year and noted how his experience in the sport inspired her and others on the team to push forward and truly give it their all.
"I'm really grateful for [Marin] being here, because he does Ironman [Triathlons], and he's a professional..." Wheeler said. "I appreciate his guidance. Jorge has been a huge asset to the team; for lifting spirits [and] for having that commitment."
All of the triathletes have demanding schedules, sometimes making it difficult for everyone to attend practice together. Despite these challenges, Wheeler believes the team shows up as much as they can and puts in the work they need to truly make the team achieve their goals.
“We did really well on lifting each other up and having that ‘We're in this together’ mindset...” Wheeler said. “We're all busy, and we still show up.”
Sarina Maki, a senior on the Adventure Programs Crew, met most of the triathlon team in 2024 when they were competing with the swim team. All five current members of the triathlon team also participated on the WWC swim team last year, which Maki believes facilitated significant team bonding.
“From competing on swim team together last year, and having that initial introduction, we grew really well together,” Maki said.
All triathletes didn’t get the time they wanted due to Helene last season, so they were glad of this season and the experience they were granted.
The team had a quick start to this season, with their first meet taking place the first week back to school. Maki is proud of how easily their teammates get along despite this quick adjustment and how much they have progressed throughout the season.
“I feel like the team motivates me to keep going [to meets and practices], and all of us have been really committed throughout the season,” Maki said. “We feed on each other's energy and keep each other motivated.”
The team has had a strong season across all of their meets, with all five team members qualifying to attend the Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championships in Tempe, Arizona. Maki, Wheeler and teammate Natalie Helser will make the trip to compete in Arizona on November 8.
“I'm just really excited to see where the team goes in the future, and for us to get more time and compete again together at Nationals,” Maki said.
Maureen Tyne, a sophomore on the Farm Crew, described how much she enjoys time with her teammates, despite the difficulty of balancing her work schedule with her sport. Having a 16-hour work contract can make it hard to attend every practice, but Tyne noted that when she can make practices, she uses time with her team to decompress.
“I love the team, because my closest friends [are] on the team,” Tyne said. “It’s really enjoyable, because I get to hang out with my friends.”
Tyne emphasized that being on the team is what she sees as a rare balance between putting in hard work and having fun, ultimately enjoying both aspects of participation because of her teammates.
“We get in the pool, or go on a run, or go on a bike and joke and laugh and giggle,” Tyne said. “[We also put] in hard work too.”
The triathlon team at WWC is a tight-knit group of friends who work hard to encourage each other to reach their goals. To these triathletes, their team is not just a collection of athletes, but a place for shared companionship that pushes them to be better and do better.