Junior Elite

USA Triathlon coordinates a variety of age-appropriate, developmental competition formats for junior athletes. These include national championships, world championship team qualifiers, and regional, national and international competitions. In addition, working with our Regional Athlete Development Coordinators, USAT helps to promote entry-level junior events within each of its 10 regions.

Junior triathletes represent one of the fastest growing segments of USA Triathlon membership.  The "junior" age division is comprised of athletes between the ages of 16 and 19, with racing age determined on December 31st of the competition year. Athletes 15 and under race in the "youth" division. 

Junior athletes have the opportunity to compete in two distinct styles of racing. Most juniors participate in the traditional, non-drafting triathlon format. USAT has designated a number of non-drafting Junior Talent ID Races around the country to serve as age-appropriate, entry-level triathlons. 

The highest-caliber juniors compete in draft-legal triathlons, called Junior Elite Cups. These sprint distance races mimic the ITU World Triathlon Series and Olympic format of racing by using multi-lap courses and fast flowing transition zones.  Junior Elite Cups serve as qualifiers for the USAT Junior Elite National Championship.  These athletes have above-average swim skills, the ability to ride in a peloton, and a strong run off the bike.

Connect with USA Triathlon Juniors
  Facebook Twitter

2011 Top Ranked Athletes

Junior Elite Men 1. Lukas Verzbicas (IL) 2. Tony Smoragiewicz (SD) 3. Ben Kanute (IL)	Junior Elite Women 1. Breanna Hemming (CO) 2. Jennifer Howland (IL) 3. Johanna Gartman (TN)
Youth Elite Boys 1. Sawyer Willingham (SC) 2. Matthew Stanley (GA) 3. Tristan Bunch (CA)	Youth Elite Girls 1. Stephanie Jenks (IA) 2. Rachel Mann (IL) 3. Gina Johnson (IL)

Click here to read how athletes are ranked

Rankings Archive

2011	2010	2009	2008
2007	2006	2005	2004

Looking for your USAT Age Group Ranking for non-drafting events? Visit the USA Triathlon Rankings page.

USAT’s Junior Performance Plan is comprised of two parts – routine performance testing by certified coaches and a financial assistance program designed to make travel to national and international competitions more affordable.

USAT Junior Testing & Performance Benchmark
The USAT Junior Testing & Performance Benchmarks program is designed to achieve three (3) key goals:

First, create regular (quarterly) sports specific tests used as benchmarks for athletes to gauge their personal progress and isolate areas of weakness to target during their next training cycle;

Second, provide comparable data to coaches to facilitate a greater understanding of where their athlete stands both nationally and internationally; and,

Third, provide USAT staff with a greater understanding of athlete potential throughout the year, rather than rely solely on race day results in the short Junior season

The tests include a (1) swim, (2) bike and (3) bike/run and have been designed to give accurate information specific to current junior triathlon performance standards. The testing administration protocol is basic and can easily to fit into a weekly training program without excessive fatigue to the athlete.

Junior Athlete Assistance Program 
USAT Junior Performance Plan also provides financial support for athletes competing at the highest levels nationally and internationally.  The International-caliber Junior Athlete Assistance Program, or IJAA, supports qualified junior through access to Olympic Training Center facilities, advanced funding of travel, and participation at invitational camps.  The Junior Race Reimbursement Incentive Plan provides travel expense reimbursements to athletes earning top finishes at domestic and international junior competitions.  

2012 Junior Performance Plan 
Junior Testing & Performance Benchmarks
2012 International-Caliber Junior Athlete Assistance Program Application

Looking for ways to stay involved in triathlon when you head off to college? Collegiate triathlon is one of the fastest-growing segments of the sport.

Find out if your college of choice has a triathlon club

Learn about competing at the USAT Collegiate National Championship

Learn more about representing the United States at the FISU World University Championships

Information about the USAT Collegiate Recruitment Program