As the temperature drops and the leaves change color, another successful collegiate racing season finally comes to a close. Congratulations to all of those student-athletes who managed to fit in hours of training, racing strong and still succeeding in their studies.  Well done to all the collegiate teams who helped their newest members accomplish their goals of competing in and enjoying their first triathlon this year while at the same time helping our sport continue to grow.
 
As most of us who are involved with a college club know, now that the racing is over, teams change gears and a completely different season gets underway  This is the season when collegiate teams focus less on the competitive aspects of triathlon and more on community service, fundraising, and socializing.  Many clubs take pride in giving back to the community surrounding their campus through Adopting-A-Road, participating in a charity walk or run, and raising money for other fine causes.  It is also during this phase when teams plan and organize fundraisers in preparation for the spring season so that they might ease the strain on the penniless student.  Of course, let’s not forget those team dinners and other club festivities that are all too common within the college environment.
 
Finally, Good luck to Monika Kornichuk and Ruth Monnig of the UNC-Chapel Hill team who will be competing at the World Age Group Championships in Cancun, Mexico, and also to Dave Williams of UNC-Chapel Hill who will be racing at Ironman Florida in early November.
 
Other News:
 
USAT will be making an announcement on its website in mid-November as to the location of the 2003 USAT Triathlon National Collegiate Championship which will take place next April. Currently, management companies from Arizona and Florida, along with Set-Up Inc. in North Carolina have shown interest in submitting a bid to host the event. 
 
 
To join the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Triathlon listserv please send an email to:
ma_cta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
 
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
 
Andy Blatecky
blatecaj@jmu.edu