COLOMBIA -- Sun Devil Women's Triathlete Liberty Ricca will represent the United States in the next Junior Pan American Games that will take place in Cali and Cauca Valley, Colombia, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 5.
"Being able to wear the Stars and Stripes to represent the United States is a huge honor," Liberty Ricca stated. "I have had the opportunity to represent the USA at several other international events but racing at the Pan Am Games is a unique opportunity that only comes around every few years. I plan to go for gold in both the individual and team event
and show the world the USA means business."
The opportunity for the Sun Devil to compete abroad is highly selective as only four triathletes -- two female and male -- will represent Team USA at the Pan Americans. The group is coached by Parker Spencer and Tim Bosn.
"We're incredibly proud of Liberty being selected by USA triathlon to represent the US at the Junior Pan American games. Liberty is such a hard-working athlete, she's very humble and very dedicated," head coach Cliff English said. "She truly loves the sport and loves training and racing. But she's also willing to continue to grow and learn and take care of all the little details to make herself a better athlete. Such an incredible young woman and a pleasure to coach. I really see a big future for her here at Arizona State, but also in national and international competition in the years to come."
This competition is the biggest multicultural sports event in the American continent, and for the first time, it will have a junior edition. It will also serve as a direct qualification for the Santiago (Chile) 2023 Pan American Games.
"This event is something that I have been training for. When I first started the collegiate season, I didn't know if I would be selected for the team or not, so my main goal was Nationals," Ricca said. "Now that I have made the team nothing changes, my season just becomes a few weeks longer."
The Colorado Springs native placed third at Pleasant Prairie Sept. 4 and earned second overall in individual events at Dual in the Desert Sept. 18.
Its biggest goal is to help the younger generations of athletes to thrive in their sport, and support them in having the opportunity to compete at events with a big popularity.
For Ricca, her competition will take place on November 26, in Calima Lake, the biggest artificial lake in the American continent.
"Being able to wear the Stars and Stripes to represent the United States is a huge honor," Liberty Ricca stated. "I have had the opportunity to represent the USA at several other international events but racing at the Pan Am Games is a unique opportunity that only comes around every few years. I plan to go for gold in both the individual and team event
and show the world the USA means business."
The opportunity for the Sun Devil to compete abroad is highly selective as only four triathletes -- two female and male -- will represent Team USA at the Pan Americans. The group is coached by Parker Spencer and Tim Bosn.
"We're incredibly proud of Liberty being selected by USA triathlon to represent the US at the Junior Pan American games. Liberty is such a hard-working athlete, she's very humble and very dedicated," head coach Cliff English said. "She truly loves the sport and loves training and racing. But she's also willing to continue to grow and learn and take care of all the little details to make herself a better athlete. Such an incredible young woman and a pleasure to coach. I really see a big future for her here at Arizona State, but also in national and international competition in the years to come."
This competition is the biggest multicultural sports event in the American continent, and for the first time, it will have a junior edition. It will also serve as a direct qualification for the Santiago (Chile) 2023 Pan American Games.
"This event is something that I have been training for. When I first started the collegiate season, I didn't know if I would be selected for the team or not, so my main goal was Nationals," Ricca said. "Now that I have made the team nothing changes, my season just becomes a few weeks longer."
The Colorado Springs native placed third at Pleasant Prairie Sept. 4 and earned second overall in individual events at Dual in the Desert Sept. 18.
Alexe Coursol, Liberty Ricca, Kyla Roy and Amber Schlebusch clock in their times for the bicycle obstacle course! ??#ForksUp x #O2V pic.twitter.com/xuubt42EKK
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) September 18, 2021
Its biggest goal is to help the younger generations of athletes to thrive in their sport, and support them in having the opportunity to compete at events with a big popularity.
For Ricca, her competition will take place on November 26, in Calima Lake, the biggest artificial lake in the American continent.
For the latest updates and information on Ricca and the Sun Devil Triathlon program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilTri), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundeviltri), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).BACK. IN. ACTION! ????
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) September 4, 2021
Sun Devils SWEEP the podium at the Pleasant Prairie National Qualifier and ASU has qualified themselves for Nationals in November! ????
??Hannah Henry (1:00:15.0)
??Kyla Roy (1:00:19.7)
??Liberty Ricca (1:01:15.6)#ForksUp x #O2V pic.twitter.com/8318HtpHTD