Philadelphia, PA - La Salle University's triathlon team opens its 2026 season Sunday in Beaver Falls at the Duquesne Collegiate Cup. They look to begin their second season of NCAA competition after competing in five races during their inaugural 2025 season. 

Last year, six athletes qualified for the NCAA National Championship in Tempe, Ariz., with four returning to the 2026 roster.  

Returning athletes include sophomores Averi Duncan, Beth Eldredge, Sofia Nordbeck, & Luciana Ruiz, with graduate student Gabriela Herbreder sticking around another year to pursue a Master of Business Systems Analytics. 

During the off-season, the Explorers were working hard. At Nationals, incoming Explorer Dylan Volk finished 7th in the Mixed Team Relay and 32nd in the Junior Elite race, while Riley Perry topped the podium in the AG race for her age group. Returner Sofia Nordbeck competed in the Kalmar Sprint, coming in 3rd overall at Sweden's biggest sprint race, & the Ironman Kalmar, where she set a 6-minute swim PR, followed by a 10-minute bike PR.  

The twelve-person roster will include seven athletes coming to La Salle from six different countries. 

Head Coach Sage Maaranen will lead the team in five races during the 2026 season.