ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University women's triathlon team will begin its third season of competition at the Beaver County Tri Cup on Saturday in Beaver Falls, Pa.

The Redhawks return three triathletes – Joane Arzalluz Garzon, Paige Kern and Jenna Maendel - who helped the team to a 10^th-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2024. Roberts also added freshman Skye Micklethwaite.

"I have some pretty good anticipation of a better year than last year," second-year head coach Thomas Giannettino said. "All of the returners got some really good experience last year, so I'm hoping that that paves the way for a successful season."

Here are five things to know about the Redhawks:

THEY HAVE POSITIVE EXPERIENCE

Giannettino said there is a simple reason for his optimism this season: experience.

"I think probably the biggest strength for everyone is just the experience," Giannettino said. "It's just time in the saddle. Most everyone on the team, other than Skye, were more single-sport athletes. So, the fact that this is their second season doing a multi-sport, the swim bike and run, they're going to have more experience now, and I think experience is huge in this sport."

RETURNEES ARE READY TO GO

Prior to the season, Giannettino named Arzalluz Garzon the first team captain in Roberts women's triathlon history.

Arzalluz Garzon finished 39^th at nationals and is looking to be even stronger this season.

"She is a phenomenal swimmer," Giannettino said. "We're hoping to get her faster in the water. She was like No. 2 for her wave out of the water at the nationals, so I'm really expecting a good year from her. I'll get her out of the water quicker. I'll make her a little faster on the bike to stay in the pack."

Kern placed 51^st at nationals and has shown improvement in cycling heading into the season and Maendel, who finished 47^th at nationals, should benefit from having more multi-sport experience and putting all three disciplines together.

Arzalluz Garzon, Kern and Maendel are all members of the Roberts women's swimming and diving team.

NEWCOMER IS NOT NEW TO TRIATHLON

Micklethwaite has experience as a multi-sport athlete in her native South Africa, which will be a benefit during her first season with Roberts.

"She's used to swimming, biking, running," Giannettino said. "I'm just hoping that she's going to provide a good push and good motivation for our returners just to kind of gel with that whole multi-sport experience."

NEW ASSISTANT ADDED

Roberts welcomes Jennie Hansen as an assistant coach this season.

Hansen, who graduated from Penfield High School, competed professionally and has completed 25 Ironman Triathlon events. Hansen won the women's division at the 2013 Lake Placid Ironman and is well-connected in the triathlon community.  

"With her experience, I'm really hoping that she will be a great asset and help us better our program," Giannettino said.

REDHAWKS WILL HIT THE ROAD

In addition to Sunday's opener, the schedule includes events in Virginia and Illinois.

The East Region Qualifier is Oct. 25 in Lake Norman, N.C., and the Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships are Nov. 8 in Tempe, Ariz.