MEET HOPE ZIMMERMAN....

How did you get started doing triathlons?

I saw a triathlon happening in Michigan City, Indiana when I was 9 and told my parents I wanted to do one of those. I have been doing them ever since. 

What made you decide to come to ETSU?

It had been my dream ever since I was a child to compete at a D1 school doing the sport I love (triathlon).

What do you like most, and least, about triathlon?

My favorite part is draft legal racing. My least favorite part is the mass start. 

Did you participate in triathlon in high school? Did you participate in other sports in high school? If you have, which ones? Did you earn honors like all-conference, all-region, all-state, qualify for Nationals, Worlds, etc.?

In high school I competed in swimming, cross country, and track in high school. I earned the Tri-Honor athlete award, Honors Athlete award, and was one of only 7 students who earned 7 varsity letters or more.

I participated in triathlon on my own during high school (my HS didn’t have a team). I’ve qualified for Draft Legal Elite Nationals since 2013. 

Do you have an athletic role model? If you do, whom?

My athletic role model is my personal coach at home, Chris. 

Triathlon is considered an “emerging sport.” What do you see as the future of triathlon as a college sport?

I see almost every big school having it as an NCAA sport. 

What’s your major, and your plans for after college?

My major is Nursing. After college I plan to work in a hospital in the NICU then go back to school to become a physicians assistant. 

What’s your most memorable moment in triathlon?

When I did my first year of junior elite racing and I came out of the water top 15 out of 75 of the fastest girls in the nation. 

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2017: Recorded ETSU's top time in bicycle race and finished 25th overall at Central Regional Qualifier in Naperville, Ill., September 4 ... posted Bucs' top transition times in 26th-place showing at Eastern Regional Qualifier in Sarasota, Fla., October 7 ... was 62nd overall at National Championship meet in Tempe, Ariz., November 5