With several programs for Youth, Junior and U23 athletes, USA Triathlon is here to support the development of young athletes as they dream, plan and reach their goals.
Youth & Junior Elite
Talented Youth (ages 13-15) and Junior (ages 16-19) athletes have the opportunity to learn from the best USA Triathon Certified Coaches, join a high performance team and race elite competition to help fuel their development in the sport.
Most Junior Elites are encouraged to finish out their eligibility in the junior division before advancing to the U23 races, which are often competed at the longer Olympic-distance.
Learn more below and for more information, please email juniors@usatriathlon.org.
U23
The Under-23 or “U23” division is a bridge between Junior Elite, Collegiate (Draft-Legal) and Elite competition. To compete in the U23 division, an athlete must hold a USAT Elite License and be between the ages of 18 and 23 as of Dec. 31 of the competition year. Most U23 races are subdivisions within World Triathlon Continental Cups.
U23 athletes compete in draft-legal races at the sprint-distance (750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run) and Olympic-distance (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run).
Athletes interested in racing U23 are encouraged to start with USA Triathlon's designated U23 Elite and National Triathlon Development Races (U23/NTDR), collegiate draft-legal events, and NCAA Women's events.
Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
April 12, 2026 | Fort Worth, TX | |
May 3, 2026 | Richmond, VA | |
May 31, 2026 | Pleasant Prairie, WI | |
June 13-14, 2026 | Beaver Falls, PA | |
July 12, 2026 | West Des Moines, IA | |
Aug. 1-2, 2026 | West Chester, OH |
The Mallow Junior/U25 National Team is a new men’s and women’s high performance developmental team named after USA Triathlon Foundation donors Audra and Michael Mallow (Pacific Palisades, Calif.).
The Mallow Junior/U25 National Team includes male and female U.S. junior and U25 athletes who are supported with travel funding to race at Continental Cups and international World Triathlon events, state of the art racing and training equipment, stipends for personal coaching and access to training, tactical and technique camps.
The team is led and supported by USA Triathlon high performance staff at training camps and international competitions, where athletes hone their craft against the best Junior and U25 athletes from around the world.
The Mallow Junior/U25 National Team is another team under USA Triathlon’s Olympic and Paralympic High Performance Elite Development Program, which includes Project Podium, the Elite Paratriathlon Resident Team, Collegiate Recruitment Program and Talent Identification (TID) programs.
The USA Triathlon High Performance Team (HPT) program aims to increase the number and quality of developmental programs serving teenage and developmental elite athletes across the nation.
HPTs play an integral role in the identification, recruitment, development, and age-appropriate competitive preparation of emerging Youth, Junior, and U23 athletes. These teams also maintain strict adherence to USADA and Safe Sport standards.
2025 High Performance Team Criteria and Application
2025 High Performance Teams Roster (updated March 20, 2025)
Please email juniors@usatriathlon.org for a current list of teams and coaches.
The 2025 World Triathlon U23 Championship Team Selection Criteria determines the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2025 World Triathlon U23 Championships in Wollongong, Australia, October 15-19, 2025.
2025 World Triathlon U23 Championship Team Selection Criteria (PDF)
The 2025 World Triathlon Junior Championship Team Selection Criteria determines the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2025 World Triathlon Junior Championships in Wollongong, Australia, October 15-19, 2025.
2025 World Triathlon Junior Championship Team Selection Criteria (PDF)
This criteria determines the order by which USA Triathlon nominates eligible athletes for domestic and international World Triathlon events.
The 2025 Americas Triathlon Junior Championship Team Selection Criteria determines the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2025 Americas Triathlon Junior Championship in Calima, Columbia, June 1, 2025. Results from this event determine Team USA's 2025 World Triathlon Junior Championship athlete quota.
2025 Americas Triathlon Junior Championships Team Criteria (PDF)
Junior athletes (ages 16-19) who wish to compete in a World Triathlon International Event (e.g. CAMTRI or ETU Junior Cups, CAMTRI Junior Championships, World Triathlon World Championships, World Triathlon Continental Cups, etc.) are required to undergo a Pre-Participation Exam (PPE) by their personal health care provider. The details of this are outlined in Rule 2.4 and Appendix Q of the World Triathlon Competition Rules. The PPE includes completion a World Triathlon-provided Medical Questionnaire reviewed by the athlete's doctor, an examination, and a 12 lead resting electrocardiogram (ECG) with results reviewed by the athlete's doctor. Upon completion of the PPE, the athlete will certify to USAT satisfactory completion using the form linked above. The athlete does not send his/her medical documentation to USAT. Athletes completing the PPE for the first time will use the Year 1 form with ECG. The following year, when the ECG is not required, athletes will submit the Year 2 form updating the date of their most recent physical exam. Certifications should be sent to juniors@usatriathlon.org.
World Triathlon Rule 2.4 Pre-Participation Exam (PPE)
USAT PPE Certification Form - Year 1 with ECG
USAT PPE Certification Form- Year 2 without ECG