Melissa Funes is in her first season on the University of Denver Women's triathlon team but is no stranger to the school as she competed on the Pioneers' swimming and diving squad the previous four years.
 
The Seattle, Washington, native is a graduate student at DU after earning her bachelor's degree in biology in June. She made the dean's list all four years of her undergrad and is presently working on her master's degree in biological sciences.
 
Funes made her Denver triathlon debut with a 12th-place finish at the Southern Hills Triathlon on Sept. 3 and is coming off a fifth-place result in the NCAA race at the Bearathlon on Oct. 30.
 
Why Triathlon?
 
"I actually just started this year, but I swam for many, many years prior. I can hands down say I wish I started triathlon sooner. It is so much fun and such a hard but gratifying sport. I love that you are always getting outside and getting to do different training sessions every day."
 
What do you enjoy the most about the DU triathlon team?
 
"The team is the one of the best, if not best team I've ever been a part of. The energy is unmatched, and we really are like a family. I know these girls will be my best friends moving forward. Denver is also a great place to train because of the location, size of the campus and the atmosphere around the professors and sports teams."
 
What are your plans for the future?
 
"Something in medicine. I'm thinking either working to be a physician's assistant or nurse practitioner, but I'm still deciding."
 
Where is your favorite training area?
 
"I love training around Denver, especially when get closer to the mountains like in Boulder, Golden or even up in Vail. We sometimes trail run at Rocky Mountain National Park, which I love."
 
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?
 
"I always say 'Let's rip it ladies,' or 'We not me' before we go off at races. I'm relatively vocal, so any type of cheering to get me and my teammates going is frequent."
 
Do you have a pre-race/training routine?
 
"I am a bit OCD about making sure I put my legs up for 10 minutes and showering before going to the race venue. Once I'm there, I kind of just go through warmup listening to music the whole time and have a little energy gel right before the race."
 
What do you do outside of school and triathlon?
 
"I've volunteered at a couple of Covid testing sites over the past two years. I also spend a lot of time working as a medical assistant outside of school and tri."
 
What is your favorite movie?
 
"King Richard, Miracle On Ice or Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I can't decide which one I like the best."
 
What are some of your favorite spots in Colorado?
 
"I really like all the restaurants in Lodo in downtown Denver. I love the nearby Pearl Street Farmers market on Sundays—I'm there every Sunday. I spend most of my free time going to the mountains on the weekends—either near Vail or Rocky Mountain National Park to go hiking."
 
What kind of music do you like?
 
"Country is my favorite, but I listen to nearly anything other than super hard rap and screamo."
 
What is your favorite sport to watch (either in-person or TV)?
 
"Basketball, always."
 
What is something that other people might not know about you?
 
"I love baking and can bake pretty much anything requested, even macaroons."
 
 
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