OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary (CSM) students and staff volunteered at the Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon July 26 on campus.
The Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon club is a free program that aims to help girls build self-confidence. During their triathlon training, the girls learn to honor themselves and others, the importance of teamwork and to center kindness.
After eight weeks of training using CSM’s facilities and outdoor spaces, 200 girls aged 7-14 completed the triathlon.
“There’s nothing like seeing the perseverance and sense of accomplishment on the young ladies’ faces as they cross the finish line at the Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon,” said volunteer Jamie Jenson, annual giving and engagement officer at CSM. “I saw girls who already had their medals return to the race to help a friend finish. Their sense of community is powerful, and that is exactly why the partnership with College of Saint Mary is so meaningful. We share a commitment to lifting one another up and helping everyone succeed.”
CSM volunteers directed the girls during transitions between sports, cheered along the race route and more. Addison Miller, an elementary education major and special education minor, volunteered by holding the finish line ribbon.
“As an athlete myself, I know how hard it is to train for something for an extended amount of time. The fact that these girls spent eight weeks practicing to swim, bike and run before the triathlon amazed me, especially with some of the girls not knowing how to swim before the training starts,” said Miller, who is on the CSM Flames swim team. “Each and every girl did so amazing and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to do something like this at CSM.”
The Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon has taken place on the CSM campus since its founding in 2018.
“This partnership is about much more than swim, bike, run. It’s about inspiring the next generation of confident, strong young women,” said Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon Club co-founder Michelle Bandur. “College of Saint Mary and Ironhawk Juniors both believe in investing in girls, encouraging them to dream big, support other girls and give them the tools to succeed in athletics, school and in life.”
Since the triathlon club was founded, over 1,000 girls have crossed the finish line after swimming, biking and running. They have taught over 250 girls how to swim and over 200 girls how to ride a bike. They also provide equipment to those who need it, and have given away 200 swimsuits, 300 bikes, 350 helmets and 250 pairs of shoes.