Though Calvin’s triathlon program only lasted five years, it has had a lasting impact on all that were a part of the team. Calvin’s triathlon team was the first of its kind. From becoming the first NCAA triathlon program in the state of Michigan to competing across the country, this program provided a unique opportunity for athletics at Calvin. However, this program was cut during the spring of 2025, leaving Calvin without a team for the first time since 2018.

Calvin’s triathlon team started in 2019; former Athletic Director Nancy Meyer was an advocate for the sport. Once grants and funding had been secured in 2018, they finalized their decision to start the team. Once the team started, developments began. Former head coach Katie Carpenter said, “most women who joined had never competed before — some had no background in swimming or biking — so we really built the program from the ground up.” One of the reasons behind adding the team was to fulfill Title IX requirements; the law requires an even number of men’s and women’s sports teams. With the addition of a second men’s hockey team and a football team, it seemed that the triathlon team was here to stay.

Prior to coaching, Carpenter had previously competed in high-level triathlon competitions herself. When she retired from competing, she coached triathlons independently, working mainly with adults. Additionally, she taught physical education at Kentwood Public Schools at this time. When she heard news of Calvin starting a triathlon program, she was initially hesitant, but eventually felt called to put her name down. At the close of the program, Carpenter described coaching as “the dream job I never knew I had.” Her favorite memories from coaching the team were “watching athletes grow from no experience to asking for more practices, and being more accountable.”

One of the main appeals of triathlon is the opportunity for challenge and self-development from the sport. As it involves running, swimming and biking, the sport demands remarkable versatility. Junior Sydney Stewart, a former member of the triathlon team, said she developed a passion for triathlon “originally from a desire to challenge myself.”  She continued, “The team gave me a place to be part of something bigger than myself. I was able to race not just to better myself, but also for the goal of racing for my teammates. We kept each other accountable and bonded through the grit of early mornings and strenuous workouts.”

The cut came suddenly for athletes and coaches. Initially, the team was told it might continue as a club team, like most other teams in Michigan. But in the end, this idea faded, and the program was completely cut. Carpenter explained, “I was always very open with my athletes and updated them as soon as I knew anything. Unfortunately, the decision happened quickly, which put some of the athletes in a hard spot.” Stewart mentioned, “We learned triathlon would be cut right after nationals. It was said that the budget would not be productively utilized to keep the team. The resources required for triathlon — flights, bikes, a coach — did not equate to the gain of recruiting six to 10 students. It was very abrupt and not anticipated.” 

After the cut, the team was told they could try to get funding for one more year. Kathryn Gardner, who finished second overall at nationals last year, made efforts along with her teammates to fight to get the athletes who had a year left one more season. Unfortunately, this process was also put to an abrupt stop. Carpenter received a message from the school alerting her that the efforts weren’t heading down the path of the ideal image of the school, and the team couldn’t continue fundraising for the team because they had decided another season of triathlon was no longer possible. 

After the decision, one athlete transferred to another school to continue her triathlon career. Others are still keeping parts of their triathlon passion alive, such as Stewart, who leads group road bike and mountain bike rides with the Cycling Co-Op group at Calvin. Stewart also led a weekend bike trip earlier this semester through Outdoor Recreation, which involved volunteering at an Ironman (a long-distance triathlon) in Frankfurt, MI. 

“Don’t let setbacks in life stop you from chasing your dreams,” Stewart responded when asked what her takeaway was from the ordeal. Stewart said the Co-Op has provided an opportunity to build connections with others who love cycling. She said, “Sometimes you just have to create the things you want to see in the world.”

Unfortunately, because of the cut, recruits who were planning on coming to Calvin to do triathlon all ended up going elsewhere, according to Carpenter.

While no longer having a triathlon team is certainly a disappointment for Carpenter and all the athletes involved, Carpenter hopes people look back on the program fondly. “I’d like people to remember that these women were pioneers. Calvin was the only school in Michigan with an NCAA triathlon team, and triathlon is a tough sport. Balancing it with academics was admirable. I believe the discipline they developed will stay with them for life,” she said.

Carpenter hopes triathlon will come back to Calvin in some form, hopefully as a club sport. In the meantime, Carpenter is looking forward to teaching a triathlon class here at Calvin, which is scheduled to begin next semester.