Paratriathlon National Champions Crowned at 2026 Paratriathlon Nationals in Milwaukee
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by USA Triathlon
MILWAUKEE — Twelve U.S. paratriathletes earned national titles on Sunday, Aug. 9 at the 2026 USA Paratriathlon National Championships, held in conjunction with 2026 USA Triathlon Nationals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Aug. 7-9.
USA Triathlon's largest National Championship event, USA Triathlon Nationals brought more than 4,000 athletes to Milwaukee and included the Sprint and Olympic Distance National Championships and Paratriathlon National Championships, creating an inclusive, world-class racing environment that brings together athletes of all abilities for a shared championship experience.
More than 70 paratriathletes from across the country raced in Sunday's Paratriathlon National Championships, including Wisconsin native and three-time Paralympic medalist Hailey Danz.
Racing over a sprint-distance course (750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run), paratriathletes competed for national titles across six classifications. The top three finishers in each classification were awarded prize money thanks to the Jarrett Sepulveda Paratriathlon Prize Purse, with sighted guides competing alongside athletes with visual impairments receiving equivalent prize money.
The prize purse is named in honor of longtime Age Group Team USA members and USA Triathlon Foundation supporters Rosalind Jarrett Sepulveda and Lamar Sepulveda, who committed to fully fund the USA Triathlon Paratriathlon National Championships Prize Purse through 2029. The commitment marks the first time donors have named and funded a paratriathlon prize purse through philanthropy, reinforcing the Foundation's effort to grow the sport while ensuring elite paratriathletes receive recognition on the national stage. With limited opportunities globally for paratriathletes to compete for prize money, the fully funded purse creates a meaningful chance for athletes to race for financial awards on home soil, while strengthening the United States' leadership in elevating elite para competition.
"Paratriathlon represents everything we love about multisport — determination, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence," said Rosalind Jarrett Sepulveda and Lamar Sepulveda. "We are proud to support these incredible athletes and to help ensure that paratriathletes receive the recognition and visibility they deserve at the national championship level. We hope that this commitment not only honors today's competitors but also inspires future athletes to see a place for themselves in our sport."
"This historic gift marks the first time donors have named and funded a paratriathlon prize purse through philanthropy," said Jason Rizzi, Chief Development Officer for the Foundation. "It also signals a powerful way forward — through individuals stepping up to elevate our athletes and unlock new levels of performance and opportunity. In honor of Rosalind and Lamar's generosity, beginning in 2026 the Jarrett Sepulveda Paratriathlon Prize Purse will provide a fully funded national championship prize purse for the next four years — supporting competitive excellence while continuing to grow and elevate paratriathlon across the United States."
Men's PTWC: Matt Tingley, 1:05:00
Men's PTS2: Kyle Stepp, 1:17:03
Men's PTS3: Lucas Jundt, 1:13:13
Men's PTS4: Erik Hultquist, 1:11:03
Men's PTS5: Jesus Moreno, 1:09:53
Men's PTVI: Christian Chavez, 1:16:52
Women's PTWC: Skyler Fisher, 1:11:06
Women's PTVI: McClain Hermes, 1:08:52
Women's PTS5: Virginia Ogburn, 1:11:26
Women's PTS4: Kelly Elmlinger, 1:19:20
Women's PTS3: Kassandra Klemenz, 1:22:39
Women's PTS2: Hailey Danz, 1:18:14
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 3,500 events and races and connects with and supports more than 300,000 unique active members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. As the largest National Governing Body under the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, USA Triathlon serves as a leader within the multisport industry, and its work supports athletes and races at the grassroots level up to the elite levels of the sport, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The USA Triathlon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of USA Triathlon. With its mission to transform lives through sport by providing opportunities to swim, bike and run, the Foundation serves to generate a greater impact on the multisport community through charitable giveback and grants that advance the Foundation’s three pillars: (1) Encourage youth participation; (2) Inspire Pathways to Access and Inclusion; and (3) Ignite Olympic/Paralympic dreams. Since the Foundation was established in 2014, it has impacted the lives of thousands by providing grants to organizations and individuals in pursuit of its mission and pillars to create a healthier United States through triathlon. To learn more about the Foundation and get involved, please visit usatriathlonfoundation.org.
