SAN FRANCISCO - Head coach Gina Kehr is pleased to announce the signing of seven incoming athletes to the University of San Francisco triathlon team.  

"The recruiting class of 2020 is going to be a game-changer for all of NCAA triathlon and USF is going to lead the way," Kehr said. "These incoming athletes chose USF for vision and purpose and are already coming together as a team."

Joining the Dons are Kira Gupta-Baltazar, Gillian Cridge, Hayley Diemer, Molly Elliot, Maddie Perkins, Chloe Ramirez, and Hannah Ye. Kehr said each one of her newest members has a drive for success on and off the racecourse and they want to be part of history, helping build a competitive, successful triathlon program at USF. 

"They are ready to train and race with a team of like-minded athletes with a common team goal," Kehr said. "They know pushing each other and empowering each other to bring their best daily is the answer to success. Together, with our current roster, they want to be part of something special as well as be a force in the sport and fight to bring USF a national championship."

Kira Gupta Baltazar (The Country Day School/Kelinberg, Ontario, Canada)

Gupta Baltazar comes in as one of Canada's top junior recruits. Prior to being a triathlete, Gupta Baltazar was a two-sport national-level athlete, balancing a high-level competitive swimming and soccer program. 

Gupta Baltazar started as a member of the Vaughan Aquatic Club made the transition into triathlon, competing as a junior elite draft-legal triathlete for Team Canada and the C3 Canadian Cross Training Club's Junior High Performance team. Gupta Baltazar has already earned national level status for Canada including a pair of seventh place finishes at the Bridgetown and Salinas CAMTRI Sprint Triathlon American Cup.

While at USF, Gupta Baltazar plans to study biology as a pathway to a future career in medicine.

"I have always wanted to attend a school that will support and develop me athletically and academically, and I know that I have made the right decision to sign with USF," Gupta Baltazar said. "I chose USF because I am excited about being a part of a developing triathlon program and I instantly fell in love with the campus as well as the surrounding beautiful city."

Kehr on Gupta Baltazar: "Kira's strong competitive swim background will help bring USF to the front of the race."

Gillian Cridge (Cathedral High School/Indianapolis)

Cridge comes in as the top recruit for the class of 2020 and Cridge is the 2018 and 2019 junior elite female national champion. Cridge also placed 9th — the highest US finisher — at the 2019 Junior Elite World Championships. Cridge is a member of Team Origin Multiport, coached by Olympic coach Ian O'Brien.

Cridge has been invited to compete and represent USA Triathlon in races in Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Australia, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, including the 2018 and 2019 Junior World Championships.

"I chose the University of San Francisco because of its growing NCAA Triathlon program, ideal location, religious emphasis, and the plethora of opportunities that come with being apart of the USF family," Cridge said. "Being in San Francisco with the Bay, ocean, mountains, and trails within walking distance, USF provides the perfect training facilities to support a triathlete."

Kehr on Cridge: "Gillian will be a powerhouse for USF and NCAA triathlon. She will bring grit and an olympic mindset to USF. Her attention to detail, drive, and purpose in her training will set the bar for this entire team."

Hayley Diemar (Battle Mountain High School/Eagle, Colo.)

Diemar's athletic background includes nordic skiing along with her swim, bike and run background. Diemar has been competing in triathlons since she was six, having qualified for youth and junior elite nationals every possible year. In 2018, as a first-year junior elite, Diemar placed 36th at nationals, 14th at the Pleasant Prairie and 19th at the Trimonroe qualifying races. Diemar currently trains with Jon Lorenz from MMTT.

"I chose USF because of the well-rounded opportunities that the school offers," Diemar said. "I feel like Gina's vision for the team is what I was looking for in a perfect location where I can study the major I am passionate about."

Kehr on Diemar: "Hayley is a true workhorse and is the definition of a cross-training athlete. Hayley will see great improvement as she starts training specifically with a team  that has a purpose and vision."

Molly Elliott (Boise High School/Boise, Idaho)

Elliott joins Cridge as one of the top recruits for 2020. Elliott placed fourth at the 2019 junior elite national championship. Elliott plans to major in Kinesiology while at USF and wants to continue her academic career with the possibility of attending medical school.

"[San Francisco] offered endless opportunities and experiences, and will be a great place to develop as a student and athlete," Elliott said. "The triathlon program at USF is new, but advancing, and I want to grow with the team led by a passionate, loving coach and filled with hardworking, fun athletes."

Kehr on Elliott: "Molly has proven to be a strong swimmer and runner. She was a key member on her high school cross country and swim teams, both teams earning state championship titles. Molly will be a key player for USF." Molly is part of TritoStrive junior Elite team coached by James Bauman.

Maddie Perkins (Reedy High School/Frisco, Texas)

Perkins joins the triathlon roster with a strong competitive swim background and is currently the captain of her high school swim team at Reedy High School. Perkins is a member of TriforHim triathlon team.

"Signing to be a member of the USF triathlon team is the realization of a dream that started when I was seven years old as a club swimmer and continued on through hours and days of training at the pool, to earlier this year when I came back to my true passion of triathlon," Perkins said. "I am so grateful to be a part of building the program at USF and learning from Gina and my amazing teammates."

Kehr on Perkins: "Maddie comes in as a true leader and a desire to be the best. Maddie is passionate about building the USF program and training with the best. She wants to be challenged academically and athletically and is ready to put in the hard work to reach peak performance. Maddie will be a light for this team and a major player in leading every day."

Chloe Ramirez (Riverside High School/Leesburg, Va.)

Ramirez comes from a competitive swimming background and started triathlon as a youth. Ramirez competes for her high school's cross country, swimming, and track and field teams to help better herself in triathlons. In the three years she's done cross country, Ramirez has been recognized twice as her team's MVP as well as an All-County, All-Conference, and All-Region runner.

Ramirez was introduced to triathlon in 2015 when she joined Endorphin Fitness, a Virginia-based triathlon team and has been training on the junior elite team since.

"I'm ecstatic to have the opportunity to attend USF as well as represent the school as an
athlete in the sport I adore," Ramirez said. "I've found my values to align with those of the school and its mission. Gina's coaching approach and passion for triathlon makes me certain that there will be great seasons to come, and I'm prepared to work hard for her, the team, and myself."

Kehr on Ramirez: "Chloe's heart, work ethic, and drive are what stand out.  I am excited to bring her on a team filled with fun, hard-working athletes. She will help lay the foundation for USF triathlon." 

Hannah Ye (Riverside High School/Leesburg, Va.)

Ye joined the Endorphin Fitness's Junior Elite triathlon club in 2015 and has been a finalist at USAT Junior National Championship since 2016. Ye is also an All-American and holder of Elite License from USAT.

"I chose USF because I love the culture and values of the school — they are something I can identify with," Ye said. "USF has the majors I would like to pursue academically, and I love the city of San Francisco and its diversity. And of course, I love coach Gina, her enthusiasm and training philosophy, and the NCAA triathlon program she's building. I can't wait to be a part of it in 2020."

Kehr on Ye: "Hannah is on the rise for triathlon. She comes from a competitive swimming background and displayed her potential this past triathlon season. She has what it takes to take training to the next level. That type of development and drive is what really attracted me to Hannah."
 
This is the first signing class ever for this new triathlon program. Follow Triathlon on social media for more updates.