USA Triathlon has announced Lubbock, Texas, as the host city for the 2009 USAT Collegiate National Championship, which will take place on April 18.
Lubbock, the home of Texas Tech University, is a college-oriented city with a population of over 200,000. The agreement puts the Olympic distance (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) USAT Collegiate Nationals in Lubbock for 2009 and 2010. Tuscaloosa, Ala., has hosted the past two Collegiate National Championships.
The venue in Lubbock has proven itself fitting to host a major triathlon, and we are excited about the enthusiastic support our collegiate athletes will receive from the community and the Lubbock Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Jeff Dyrek, USA Triathlons National Events director. In Lubbock, our athletes will have the opportunity to experience another top-notch national championship.
Both the 2007 and 2008 events sold out and attracted over 120 teams and 1,000 triathletes. Registration for the 2009 event opens January 1. Check back later for more details on the registration process, as there are some changes this year.
Lubbock has hosted the Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3, an Ironman qualifier, for the past 14 years, and is home to 10 annual triathlons. The 70.3 is an internationally recognized event that attracts competitors from 42 states and 13 countries, including world champions Natascha Badmann and Luke Bell.
The venue for the Collegiate National Championship features a challenging course with a couple big hills. The lake is a small, man-made, spring-fed body of water. After the swim, the athletes will bike through portions of the beautiful Yellowhouse Canyons. The run course follows a scenic, partially shaded route around the lake.
Lubbock was chosen to host this event because of the positive experiences that it has had with the sport, and the overwhelming enthusiasm that Lubbock expressed toward hosting this event, USAT Board Member Mike Greer said. With over 20 years of triathlon experience in the city and a collegiate atmosphere, it was easy for USAT and the Lubbock Convention and Visitors Bureau to agree to this partnership.
The central geographic location of Lubbock is convenient and the city is easily accessible with an airport and major highways.
Lubbock is proud to host athletes from all over the nation representing many sports, and we are honored to host the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship because of the caliber of athletes this triathlon attracts to our city, said Scott Harrison, sports manager of the Lubbock Convention and Visitors Bureau.
In 2008, UC Berkeleys Steve Sexton won the mens race and Amanda Felder of UC San Diego won the womens race. Berkeley won the mens team title with 28 points. Army edged North Carolina in a tiebreaker to finish second with 61 points. In the womens team competition, UC San Diego beat Colorado 35-51. UC Berkeley finished close behind in third with 53 points. UC Berkeley won the combined team title.