Reading, Pa. (Nov. 10, 2021) - Alvernia University Director of Athletics
Bill Stiles announced on Wednesday the hiring of
Tim Hartung as Alvernia's first Women's Triathlon Head Coach.
Hartung will oversee Women's Triathlon in addition to remaining the Head Coach of Cross Country and Track and Field - a position he's held since joining Alvernia's staff in the fall of 2018.
"Tim has been an invaluable resource for us in the planning of Women's Triathlon, and we are delighted to have someone with his knowledge and experience in triathlon - as well as his proven success in recruiting student-athletes to Alvernia - to lead this program," said Stiles.
Hartung has been competing in triathlons since 2015, with experience ranging from sprint to Half Ironman distances. Most recently, Hartung received a bid for the 2022 Half Ironman Age Group World Championships, finishing 3rd in the 25-29 age group at the Ironman Timberman 70.3 in Laconia, New Hampshire.
Hartung completed the Timberman Ironman 70.3 in 4:24.44 with an overall rank of eighth place. He finished the 1.2 mile open water swim in 29:50, the 56 mile cycling course in 2:26.53, and the 13.1 mile run in 1:22.13.
Hartung currently trains and continues to immerse within the triathlon community through Yoder Performance, one of the premiere age group triathlon training groups in the country.
"I am excited and grateful to take on the responsibility of starting up Alvernia Women's Triathlon," said Hartung. "As the first school in Pennsylvania to add NCAA Women's Triathlon, we will offer an awesome opportunity for young women in endurance sports in our region to continue athletics pursuits at the NCAA level."
A Reading, Pa. native, Hartung graduated from Governor Mifflin High School in 2010. He competed in cross country and track and field while pursuing an undergraduate degree in nursing. While at York, Hartung was a seven-time NCAA Division III All-American. He earned All-American honors twice in cross country, twice in indoor track and field, and three times in outdoor track and field. During his career, Hartung also was named a Capital One Academic All-American twice.
Prior to Alvernia, Hartung coached at York College as well as Lebanon Valley College. In 2016, Hartung was named the Graduate Assistant for Cross Country and Track and Field while pursuing his Master's in Athletic Leadership and Administration at Goucher College.
"I would like to thank Bill Stiles and Laura Gingrich for putting trust in me to get this program started," added Hartung. "I would also like to thank USA Triathlon, and Division III triathlon coaches around the country for welcoming me and our program with open arms."
Triathlon will begin at Alvernia in the 2022-23 academic year. Women's Triathlon is currently recognized as an NCAA Emerging Sport for women, and is one of the most rapidly growing sports at the collegiate level. Sanctioned by USA Triathlon, Collegiate Women's Triathlon consists of a 750-meter open-water swim, a draft legal 20-kilometer bike ride, and a five-kilometer run. The competitive season for triathlon runs from September 1st - October 31st, with USA Triathlon Women's Collegiate National Championship taking place in early November.
Alvernia's triathletes will train around Berks County on local trails and roads, including Angelica Park, which sits adjacent to the University. Alvernia triathletes will also train at local pools and open water areas.
Alvernia will be the 37th NCAA Institution, and 13th Division III program, to sponsor Women's Triathlon. Alvernia will also be the first institution in Pennsylvania to offer Women's Triathlon.
