The IHJ Team is so excited to open the 2020 practices and race! Register HERE.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
New Opportunities for IHJ with CSM updates!
With the facility updates happening at our partner’s campus, we can continue to drive opportunities for our Juniors! We cannot wait to see progress and the finished product. Read below for the full story!
College of Saint Mary plans new $20 million Wellness and Athletic Center
KETV, Feb 2020
There’s a large pile of dirt sitting on the field east of the Lied Fitness Center on the campus of College of Saint Mary. In more than a year, administrators expect it to turn into an 82,000 square-foot Wellness and Athletics Center.
“I see the strength and grit of pairing athletics with academics,” said Dr. Maryanne Stevens, President of College of Saint Mary.
Stevens knew it was time to expand. When she started in 1996, there were four sports. Now there are 11 and the facilities are 20 years old. She said there is not enough space.
“We don’t have enough offices for the offices. Softball needs to practice and it’s hard to practice outdoors when there is still snow on the ground,” she said. “They need to be practice inside but the basketball season is still going.”
Dr. Maryanne Stevens looks at renderings.
Student athletes said it’s tough cramming all the teams in the locker rooms and weight room.
“It takes a toll because you are so crunched in the weight room and you can’t do the full workouts to your ability,” said volleyball player Makenna Freeman.
The school added the track and field program recently but athletes can’t compete in certain events since CSM doesn’t have the facility.
“I feel like there are a lot of schools in the GPAC (Great Plains Athletic Conference) where we fall behind because we don’t have the facilities we can train on,” said runner Samantha Ochoa.
The assistant athletic director said the facility will help recruit athletes and provide even more space for the community programs they sponsor for young girls.
“When we have new space and new amenities, it’s going to be wide open. We are going to be able to help so many more programs and people,” said Jamie Adams.
“What’s more important to us is that we are helping young girls in the community and if they choose to come here and if it’s the right fit for them, that’s great,” Stevens said. “But even if they don’t, what we’ve done is help them get through those early teenage years fit and with some grit.”
The school expects to break ground in March and open the facility in spring 2021.
Winter Reunion
Thank you to all of the juniors, parents, volunteers and staff that helped make the Winter Reunion a success!
Mark Your Calendars!
The 2020 key calendar dates have been set! Pencil us in for another year of fun
| DATE | WHAT | WHEN | WHERE |
| January 12 | Winter Reunion | 2:00PM – 4:00PM | CSM |
| March 15 | Registration Opens! | ||
| April 5 April 19 April 26 May 3 May 10 | Swim Lessons | 11:00AM – 1:00PM | CSM |
| May 3 | Volunteer Registration Opens | ||
| May 10 | Registration Closes | ||
| May 21 | Parents Meeting | CSM | |
| May 31 | Volunteer Meeting / Kick Off Celebration | CSM | |
| June 4 June 11 June 18 June 25 July 9 July 16 July 23 July 30 | Practice | 6:00PM – 7:45PM | CSM |
| August 2 | RACE DAY | 8:00AM | CSM |
| August 6 | Volunteer Party |
*CSM (College of Saint Mary) is located at 7000 Mercy Rd, Omaha, NE 68106
Ironhawk Juniors Store – Holiday Edition!
Just in time for holiday shopping, check out the Ironhawk Juniors store where you can find great Ironhawk Juniors branded gear. Check out all the great clothes and gift ideas for your Ironhawk triathlete!
We’ve got shirts, shorts, hats, blankets, beanies, and even towels in a variety of fun colors. And because our athletes are all ages and sizes, we have youth, women’s and men’s cuts of most of our items. Make sure you click “Shop All” to unlock even more great options. If the site asks for a password, use “CSMJRS”
The store will be open until November 5 and orders will be available 3-4 weeks after that date.
Orders can be shipped to your home (for an added fee) or picked up at the Locker Room (13747 F Street in Omaha).
And the best news: proceeds from these items go to help fund the Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon Club and makes sure that we can continue to provide this amazing experience for free to all participants.
A great finish to 2019!
Ladies-
We (the board and volunteers) cannot stop talking about how proud we are of you! We had an incredibly successful year and are already planning 2020.
You each deserve another CONGRATULATIONS!
Now who is ready for the January Winter Reunion???! More information to come soon.
Athlete Showcase – Hailey
Before Ironhawk, Hailey was scared to ride her bike down the sidewalk, let alone her family’s driveway. She was anxious to swim in the deep end and she would have never thought to go jogging.
When her parents signed Hailey up for the triathlon and explained to her what it was and what it meant, she seemed interested and curious. She will be the first in her family to do a triathlon and that means something to her.
Hailey’s twin brother had major leg lengthening surgery last summer. She has been very supportive through it all, but she was in need something to fill HER bucket! Ironhawk practices would force her to step way outside of her comfort zone… but she did it! The ways in which Hailey has grown in the last month are astounding!
The girl who wouldn’t ride her bike just a month ago is now getting up every morning and riding 3 miles AND jogging 3/4 mile. The girl who has dealt with anxiety is now able to cope better and is feeling more confident in herself. And most importantly, she is proud of her accomplishments so far.
Ironhawk Juniors has made Hailey realize that she can push herself and achieve great things. She has been an inspiration to her family as well, and has taught them that it is okay to feel scared when pushed and through change, it’s how you persevere that matters!
Parent’s Meeting Presentation
Athlete Showcase – Alejandra
Embarrassed. That’s how Alejandra felt when at age 10, she didn’t know how to ride a bike. But when she looked around and saw other girls at the Ironhawk Juniors Tri Club, just like herself, learning how to pedal, she quickly gained self-confidence. Alejandra decided she wouldn’t let fear get in her way. She learned how to conquer those fears and completed her first triathlon last year.
To prepare for this year, Alejandra has already begun riding her bike every day after school to improve her skills. She can’t wait to see her coaches and friends.
Athlete Showcase – Leila
Dyslexia and ADHD kept Leila from sticking to one sport or activity her whole life. Her mother also said Leila has always struggled making friends. That is, until last summer when she discovered the sport of triathlon and the Ironhawk Juniors Tri Club. Leila,10, said she found something she loved and has the support of new friends and adults. She has since joined a swim team and runs with her dad. This season Leila told us, “I plan on going faster and getting stronger.”
– Leila
I plan on going faster and getting stronger
