TEMPE, Ariz. -- Sun Devil triathlon head coach Cliff English announced the addition of two talented student-athletes to their five-time National Championship team.
Americans Faith Dasso and Naomi Ruff will join the Sun Devils for the 2022-23 season.
"We're thrilled to have Faith and Naomi join us next year in Tempe to train at a high-level," said coach English. "I look forward to coaching both of them and further developing their skills so they can reach their full potential as triathletes."
Faith Dasso (New Braunfels, Texas)
Dasso has been in the Top-4 at Junior Nationals for the past seven years. She placed 23rd at the 2021 Junior Worlds for Team USA with a time of 1:03:23.
"Faith was third at the 2021 Junior Elite National Championships and represented team USA at the Junior Elite world champs in Portugal this November," said English. "She is a very strong, well-balanced triathlete who possesses a great skill set on the bike. She most certainly will fit right in at our program with our high level of biking."
In the classroom, Dasso holds a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honors Society.
Ruff has not competed for as long as her counterparts in the sport, however this hasn't stopped her from reaching success as she was crowned 2021 USAT Junior Elite National Champion in July.
"Naomi is the 2021 USAT Junior Elite National Champion and has done so much already in triathlon with only having been in the sport for 2.5 years," stated English. "She is a strong former swimmer and top state cross country runner."
In September while the Sun Devils raced in the collegiate Pleasant Prairie event, Ruff raced in the Pleasant Prairie USAT Junior Elite Cup event. The 17-year-old dominated her group with a first-place finish that was 18.5 seconds faster than the silver medalist.
As a freshman Ruff became the first ever cross-country state qualifier in South Elgin High School history. Two years later she led the program to the Upstate Eight Conference title. Ruff is an Illinois All-State track and cross-country runner.
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Triathlon program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilTri), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundeviltri), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).
Americans Faith Dasso and Naomi Ruff will join the Sun Devils for the 2022-23 season.
"We're thrilled to have Faith and Naomi join us next year in Tempe to train at a high-level," said coach English. "I look forward to coaching both of them and further developing their skills so they can reach their full potential as triathletes."
Faith Dasso (New Braunfels, Texas)
Dasso has been in the Top-4 at Junior Nationals for the past seven years. She placed 23rd at the 2021 Junior Worlds for Team USA with a time of 1:03:23.
"Faith was third at the 2021 Junior Elite National Championships and represented team USA at the Junior Elite world champs in Portugal this November," said English. "She is a very strong, well-balanced triathlete who possesses a great skill set on the bike. She most certainly will fit right in at our program with our high level of biking."
In the classroom, Dasso holds a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honors Society.
Naomi Ruff (West Chicago, Ill.)?? S I G N E D ??#SunDevilNation, join us in welcoming Faith Dasso to the family! ????#ForksUp x #O2V pic.twitter.com/knqK25hKAn
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) November 18, 2021
Ruff has not competed for as long as her counterparts in the sport, however this hasn't stopped her from reaching success as she was crowned 2021 USAT Junior Elite National Champion in July.
"Naomi is the 2021 USAT Junior Elite National Champion and has done so much already in triathlon with only having been in the sport for 2.5 years," stated English. "She is a strong former swimmer and top state cross country runner."
In September while the Sun Devils raced in the collegiate Pleasant Prairie event, Ruff raced in the Pleasant Prairie USAT Junior Elite Cup event. The 17-year-old dominated her group with a first-place finish that was 18.5 seconds faster than the silver medalist.
As a freshman Ruff became the first ever cross-country state qualifier in South Elgin High School history. Two years later she led the program to the Upstate Eight Conference title. Ruff is an Illinois All-State track and cross-country runner.
HOW TO FOLLOW?? S I G N E D ??#SunDevilNation, join us in welcoming Naomi Ruff to the family! ????#ForksUp x #O2V pic.twitter.com/1OJ4uucZMl
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) November 18, 2021
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Triathlon program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilTri), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundeviltri), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).