Three Recruits Join First Willamette Women's Triathlon Team
By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- The first three members of the Willamette University varsity women's triathlon team have been announced by Head Coach Brett Franz. Willamette will begin competing in women's triathlon for the first time this fall. The three athletes who will help begin the team's history are Veronica Castille, Ella Isaacson, and Alicia Robbins. Willamette is a member of NCAA Division III. The addition of women's triathlon gives Willamette 20 varsity sports.
"I am really excited to be able to start the program with such a great group," Willamette Head Women's Triathlon Coach Brett Franz said. "Veronica, Ella, and Alicia were a pleasure to recruit and I can't wait to start working with them. They all have a ton of potential and I am excited to see them flourish at Willamette as student-athletes. I am looking forward to continuing to add to the roster and grow the program."
When the team participates in its first regional qualifier in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, on Sept. 4, Willamette will have the only varsity women's triathlon program in Oregon and one of only two varsity programs on the West Coast, along with the University of San Francisco. There are 37 varsity women's triathlon teams in the NCAA, including 13 teams at NCAA Division III colleges and universities. Women's triathlon will attain full NCAA status one year after 40 varsity teams are formed. Until then, USA Triathlon will sponsor the regional qualifiers and the National Championships.
The 2021 schedule for the Bearcats includes three regional qualifiers and the National Championship in Tempe, Arizona. In all collegiate women's triathlon races, athletes cover a 750-meter open-water swim, a 20-kilometer bike, and a 5-kilometer run.
Each of the new Bearcat triathletes has an interesting story to tell about their previous involvement in triathlon and other sports as well as their decision to attend Willamette and compete on the triathlon team.
Veronica Castille from Round Rock, Texas
Castille found that her interests in collegiate sports and her desire for a quality education -- and eventually a law degree -- could be achieved at Willamette.
"The opportunity to be a part of Willamette's first women's triathlon team was a big factor that drew me to study at Willamette," Castille explained "I've always wanted to do collegiate sports, and being recruited to become part of a new team from the beginning was really exciting! It's a unique experience and I'm lucky it brought Willamette on my radar. In terms of academics, I plan on taking part in the 3+3 law program. Earning a bachelor's degree and a law degree in a shorter amount of time was really appealing to me."
Long before she chose to join Willamette and the women's triathlon team, Castille participated in her first, and to this point her only, triathlon. At the time, she was 10 years old in 2013.
"I knew absolutely nothing about triathlons," Castille recalled. "I just thought the name sounded cool, so I had my parents sign me up for a race. During my swimming portion, I chose to swim my favorite stroke at the time -- butterfly -- while everyone swam the standard freestyle. For the biking portion, I couldn't figure out how to get my bike off the rack and spent 10 minutes struggling with it, but eventually managed to get it off and on the road. On my run, I grabbed a cup of water from the water station, and, scared of littering and not realizing we were supposed to throw our cups to the ground for volunteers to pick up later, I ran the whole three miles holding my empty cup. I finally dropped it when I could hear my parents telling me to let it go close to the finish line. I remember I had a ton of fun doing that race and I look forward to training and improving in the sport!"
More recently, Castille has spent the past five years as a competitive swimmer at the high school and club levels. She attended Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock, Texas.
"I specialized in breaststroke and sprint freestyle, but sometimes mixed in some distance races," Castille said about her experiences as a swimmer. "I broke my club team's record for the 800-meter freestyle and my high school's 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay records. At the high school level, I also participated in varsity water polo and our varsity dance team. Our water polo team has qualified for state and placed in the top five every year. It's always fun being able to incorporate aquatics with a team sport. For our dance team, I was lucky enough to be selected as team captain. We performed a variety of dance styles each year, including jazz, hip hop (my favorite), and pom. I hope to continue dancing and, time permitting, get involved with Willamette's dance company."
The challenges of moving to a different state for a new sport with a new team intrigue Castille. She will be one of the first people to shape the history of Willamette women's triathlon. She's had to learn remotely this past year in high school, so she's excited about the likelihood of in-person learning at Willamette.
"I'm most looking forward to getting to move up to Oregon and meeting a ton of new people," Castille commented. "Texas is great, but you can't beat Oregon's views and chill weather! I'm excited to finally meet the rest of the triathlon team and get to train together for the first time. I'm very happy I don't have to learn through a computer this year; navigating re-entering classes in person with everybody else will be a fun adventure."
Ella Isaacson from St. Paul, Minnesota
When choosing a college, Isaacson began by looking for women's triathlon teams, since she knew she wanted to compete in the sport. Her search eventually led her to Willamette and the opportunity to add a rigorous academic experience to her plans for athletic competition. Isaacson graduated from Central High School in St. Paul, Minnesota.
"I knew I was interested in becoming a member of a college triathlon team, so I first started looking at schools that offered it as a sport," Isaacson said. "That is when I first discovered Willamette. After researching more about the school, I recognized that it also offered a great academic experience, which is also important to me. I also chose Willamette because of the sense of community.
"I really love the idea of being a member of the first women's triathlon team at Willamette and the ability to help grow the program during my time in college," Isaacson added.
After competing in many youth triathlons, it's likely that Isaacson will be one of the most experienced members of Willamette's first team.
"I began competing in kids triathlons when I was younger," Isaacson noted. "As I got older, I also competed in several sprint distance triathlons every year. I have been swimming competitively for almost 10 years. I also competed in cross country in middle school, but sadly had to choose between swimming and cross country once I began high school. I played softball for my first two years of high school, but during my junior year I decided to focus more on my swimming and triathlon training."
Soon, Isaacson will begin a new endeavor as a collegiate student-athlete. She will be one of the pioneers for WU's triathlon team.
"I'm looking forward to meeting new people and meeting everyone on the team," Isaacson said. "I'm really excited to train and compete with others who are interested in triathlon."
Alicia Robbins from Henderson, Nevada
Robbins decided to attend Willamette because she could participate in the 3+2 engineering program while receiving the added bonus of joining the new women's triathlon team. She attended Coronado High School in Henderson, Nevada.
"I chose Willamette mainly for their major programs," Robbins commented. "I like how Willamette had many programs where you can go forward in your education past a bachelor's degree. The 3+2 engineering degree is what initially drew me to the school, and even now that I'm thinking of just going into the regular engineering track, I am still very happy with all the options they have."
Her campus visit also provided Robbins with reasons to attend Willamette.
"I also loved how outdoorsy and cozy the campus was!" Robbins said. "It's smaller than most universities, and because of that, you get a more in-depth experience with teachers and staff. I'm so excited to start in the fall!
In addition to pursuing two degrees, including an engineering degree from one of Willamette's partners in the engineering program, Robbins also chose to participate in intercollegiate athletics.
"What motivated me to be on the women's triathlon team was just the excitement of it all," Robbins noted. "I remember when Willamette Head Swimming Coach Brent Summers forwarded me the email for the women's triathlon team and I instantly new I wanted to be a part of it!"
Robbins brings the Bearcats significant experience in triathlon. Like Isaacson, she competed in many triathlons as a youngster.
"I've actually been competing in triathlons since I was eight years old," Robbins said. "My mom has been an active member in the triathlon community in my hometown for basically my whole life, so it only made sense that I'd follow in her footsteps.
"Not only have I competed, but I've also volunteered at mainly triathlon events," Robbins continued. "It always amazed me seeing people of different races, genders, and ages getting out there and racing for 8-12 hours straight. The camaraderie and strength it takes to do an Ironman, or Silverman, or even just the sprint distance (as in college) is a lot of work. But I know that with my community, coaches, friends, and family backing me up, it won't be as challenging. I also got involved in triathlons because I'm a swimmer and swimming is one of the elements in triathlons."
For eight years, Robbins has been a swimmer with the Boulder City Heatwave (BCH) in Henderson. She also swam for her high school team for one season. In addition, she competed in cross country and track and field in middle school and during her sophomore year in high school.
Once she arrives at Willamette for preseason workouts, Robbins will be able to make an impact on the new women's triathlon team. Together, the new Bearcats will be able to participate in the first practice, compete in the first triathlon event, and gradually develop the program.
"I look forward to meeting my team so we can all train together," Robbins commented. "I also look forward to meeting my roommate and starting my classes, and just the whole college experience in general. The last year and a half has been rough to say the least, so it's nice that I'll still be able to have a college experience despite all the obstacles we faced last year."