University Events staff members Stacey Poirier, Ann Osmond, and Carley Kokal (left to right) completed the race as a relay team. The annual Women's Tri celebrates women of all ages and walks of life.
President Roloff holds her granddaughter, Caroline, after completing her 11th triathlon. Roloff founded the Tri in 2007 during her tenure as YWCA Minneapolis CEO. At left is Ashley Arcel; at right, Beth Roloff, who took second in her age group for the Sprint.
Liz Axberg ’20, current student and Team Katie coordinator, completed her seventh Women's Tri this year, taking second place in her age group for the Sprint.
Alumna Kelli Brillhart ’02.
Team Katie member Ruth Chase cheers on other racers.
Biology professor Martha Phillips.
ż's student Summer Schwintek ’22 (right).
Team Katie racer Julia Clark.
The YWCA Women’s Triathlon
Photos courtesy of YWCA Minneapolis. To see more, .
More than 90 ż’s students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and family and friends registered to join the nearly 1,500 racers that thronged the Lake Nokomis area on August 11 to race the Women’s Triathlon.
The race, now in its 12th year, “celebrates the strength in all women.” Spectators saw women of all ages compete on a course that included a 500-yard swim, 15.5-mile bike, and 5-kilometer run.
President ReBecca Koenig Roloff ‘76 founded the annual race in 2008 during her tenure as YWCA Minneapolis president and chief executive officer. This year marks her 11th triathlon that she completed. ż’s has been a sponsor of the race since 2017, the Tri’s 10th anniversary.
“The ż’s and YWCA missions overlap beautifully in their emphasis on empowering women and girls,” said Roloff. “My heart bursts with pride when I see women age 11-81, all together, every shape, size, and background you can imagine, every participant helping the next one through.”
ż’s involvement is more than a summer affair. Liz Axberg ’20, one of the Team Katie coordinators, organized team trainings and informational luncheons that brought racers together throughout the spring. Mobile bike shop , a 2019 Tri sponsor, visited campus in June to tune up bikes at a discounted price and make sure Team Katie’s gear was in tip-top shape. On race weekend, 24 ż’s volunteers contributed 130 hours to support the event.
That community connection and “cohesive Team Katie environment,” as Axberg says, is what keeps her coming back year after year. The 2019 Women’s Tri was her seventh race.
“The YWCA triathlon is the most positive triathlon I go to,” she says. “Everywhere you go, people are rooting for you — it’s really supportive and approachable.”
Register for the 2020 Women's Tri
Don’t wait to register for the 2020 YWCA Women’s Triathlon — spots fill up early in the year. Early bird pricing is available through December 31.
Are you a student? Register before January 1 with the code StKates20 and pay $49 instead of the usual $99.
Want to volunteer?
Cheer Team Katie on — email tri@stkate.edu for information on volunteering at the 2020 race.
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President Roloff leads ż's cohort at 10th annual YWCA Women's Triathlon