From Pioneers to the Next Generation
PacWest's connection to the growth of NCAA women's triathlon.
Where It Began
In 2013, PacWest Endurance Founder and Head Performance Coach Jay Ridgeway became involved in the effort to bring women’s triathlon into the NCAA through his daughter, Emily (Ridgeway) Torluemke.
At the time, Emily was heading into her sophomore year at the University of Missouri and had taken on the role of President of the Mizzou Triathlon Club. She quickly became involved in USA Triathlon’s initiative to establish women’s triathlon as an NCAA sport and helped champion the effort from the collegiate athlete level.
Being There at the Beginning
In November 2014, USA Triathlon hosted the first-ever Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championships in Clermont, Florida. Emily represented the University of Missouri as one of the athletes competing in that inaugural championship.
She returned to Clermont the following year for the 2015 championship as the sport continued to grow, providing an early glimpse of what women’s collegiate triathlon could become.
2014
The Beginning
First Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championship
↓
2015
Building Momentum
Emily returns for the second championship
↓
2014–Present
A Growing Opportunity
Triathlon continues to expand within the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program.
The NCAA confirms that triathlon entered the Emerging Sports for Women program in 2014–15, and the sport has continued to grow substantially since then.
From Emerging Sport to Growing NCAA Opportunity
What began as an initiative to create more opportunities for women in triathlon has grown into an increasingly established collegiate pathway. Triathlon entered the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program in 2014–15, and the number of schools sponsoring women’s varsity triathlon has steadily increased. For the 2025–26 academic year, 42 institutions are sponsoring the sport.
The opportunity continues to expand, creating a unique pathway for young women who want to combine competitive triathlon with a college education.
From Junior Athlete to NCAA Athlete
Today, PacWest is committed to helping the next generation of young women understand and pursue this opportunity.
NCAA triathlon is different from traditional college recruiting in many ways. Athletes and families need to understand the competitive landscape, school options, recruiting process, academic considerations, training demands, and what it takes to develop as a multisport athlete while preparing for college.
Our role is to help athletes and families navigate that journey with realistic expectations, purposeful training, and a long-term development plan.
Develop
Build the swimming, cycling, running, and racing skills required to become a competitive collegiate triathlete.
Prepare
Understand the NCAA landscape, recruiting process, competition requirements, and expectations of collegiate programs.
Connect
Help athletes and families identify programs and opportunities that align with their athletic, academic, and personal goals.
A Perspective Few Junior Programs Can Offer
PacWest’s connection to NCAA women’s triathlon isn’t simply something we researched—it is part of our history.
Coach Jay was there when the sport was taking its first steps toward the NCAA. Emily was there as an athlete competing in the inaugural championship. Today, that experience informs how PacWest approaches the development of the next generation.
We’ve seen where the sport started. We’ve watched it evolve. Now we’re focused on helping the next generation find their place within it.