MORAGA, Calif. – As the saying goes: "There is a story behind every student-athlete." The same holds true for Saint Mary's Rowing's freshman Reilly Schindler, except this time the story is of an elite triathlete who is a member of Team USA.
 
At the age of seven, Schindler, began swimming for a summer league and immediately fell in love with the sport. Her success led her to join a year-round club called the Tidewater Aquatic Club in Norfolk Virginia when she turned 11. At the same time, running quickly became another interest after garnering much success on her middle school track team. As a result, her coaches suggested that she train for a triathlon. Soon after, she competed in her first-ever triathlon at the age of 14 in Richmond, Va. where she finished first in her age group, motivating her to stick with the sport.
 
Since that day, Reilly has competed in 19 sprint distance triathlons which typically consist of: a 750 meter swim, 13 miles on a bike, and a 5 kilometer (3.1 miles) race. She has competed in seven different states including as far north as New Jersey and as far south as South Carolina. While competing in these races, she has enjoyed seeing small towns that most people never have the opportunity to visit and she has had the opportunity to meet some of the most elite triathletes from around the country.
 
One of her best races to-date was in 2017 at the New Jersey State Triathlon where she topped 16 other competitors in her age group. In almost every race, she has made the podium in her age group. Earlier this year, she competed at the USA Triathlon National Age Group Championships in Cleveland; Schindler finished in the top-8 of her age group and automatically qualified for the 2019 ITU Draft-Legal Sprint Distance Triathlon World Championship in Lausanne, Switzerland, representing Team USA. The competition will take place August 29-September 1 for Reilly who is currently ranked ninth in the 18-19 age group according to USA Triathlon.
 
"Many people ask why I enjoy competing in triathlons," said Schindler. "I always tell them that I love the feeling of accomplishment that you get after finishing a race. Yes, there is a lot of pain that you experience in training and racing, but it is all worth it when you see that finish line, and are able to cross it knowing that you put everything you had in that race."