Colorado Triathlon Team Rebuilds Faster Than Expected
Broderick’s Win and Wane’s Podium Spot Pace the Team to Third
By Adam Hodges
race day story | additional coverage | results | team history
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After suffering some burn-out from her years as a swimmer, Broderick found her passion in triathlon. “My mom did triathlon and I always went along with her and just got hooked on the great environment with so many motivated and healthy individuals.”
After finding success on the track during her junior and senior years of high school, Broderick considered pursuing a scholarship to run in college. But triathlon was her true passion, and she didn’t want to sacrifice multisport training for the demands of competing in a single sport during four years of college.
Her focus on triathlon has paid off. Before her first year of college, Broderick finished third in her age group at the ITU Age Group World Championship in Vancouver, Canada. She has also gained experience racing in several draft legal races, including an eighth place finish at the Junior Elite Nationals and a sixth place finish at the Tuscaloosa Talent ID Race last year. Even if her talent had not been completely identified at those races, her potential in the sport must certainly be recognized now.
Jessica Broderick claims victory in Lubbock
Photo courtesy of USA Triathlon
For weeks leading up to the collegiate showdown in Lubbock—where Broderick was to face Army’s Ashley Morgan, a fierce runner who also competes on Army’s track and cross country teams—Broderick had a reoccurring dream of holding the tape at the finish line.
“When it actually happened,” explained Broderick, “it was mind boggling and amazing in every way possible.
“Even more exciting than holding the banner and finishing first,” she added, “was seeing the yellow crowd of crazy CU Buffaloes when I turned the last corner on the run and saw the finish line. That moment, with all of my teammates and supporters going crazy, I was purely content. The pain escaped my body and I enjoyed the run down the last straight away to victory.”
Despite Broderick’s individual athletic accomplishments, she had never been part of a team oriented atmosphere before.
“Winning this was extremely rewarding in that way,” said Broderick. “It wasn't just a personal victory but a victory for the team as a whole. What makes it so special is that after all the hard training with my teammates, pushing each other, becoming the best of friends and really a family, I was able to give back to my team a small fraction of the love and support they have given me by racing my heart out and capturing the title.”