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Back in August I was very fortunate to be able to attend a trio of meaningful triathlons: the ITU World Championship Series/Olympic Test Event in London, USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals and, last but not least, the Nottingham Youth Triathlon in Mt Airy, Md., which served as the USA Triathlon Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships. This race included more than 200 kids under the age of 14 and featured a mix of first-timers and skilled triathletes. 

The event was hosted by the Mini Cow Tri Club, which is operated by the husband and wife team of Brian and Christy Lausch. Brian and Christy put on a stellar race under pressure from an imminent Hurricane Irene closing in on Maryland and their club’s performance was very impressive. The Mini Cow kids not only looked good in their matching kits, but their performance included skilled transitions, flying dismounts and overall sportsmanship.

As Multisport Madness Triathlon Club and Elite Triathlon Academy founder Keith Dickson can attest, team environment creates champions. By way of example, no world-class swimmer has made it to that level by training on his or her own. In short, success begets success. True in life, true in business, true in triathlon. Our future pros, Olympians, and “triathlon pied pipers” will come from clubs such as Mini Cow. These clubs provide ideal training environments and incorporate the important socialization of a team culture: creating strong bonds.

A poignant example of this culture is evidenced this week by two Dickson protégés: Lukas Verzbicas racing in Beijing to win the gold medal in honor of MMT teammate Kevin McDowell as he battles cancer. This is powerful. We have triathletes racing for their teammates, for a bigger cause, and ultimately for their country.  At USA Triathlon we hope to harness the power of teams by creating competitive squads.

This weekend we have a number of clubs from across the country set to participate in the USA Triathlon Club National Championship, and we will surely see the bonds of friendship and team spirit as team members battle for points that will secure a national title for their team. With more than 900 clubs in the USA Triathlon system, we know that more athletes are turning to clubs to help them feel more connected to the sport.

Have you ever been part of a triathlon club or team? What makes that experience stand out from other sport teams you may have participated with? Leave your response in the comments.