Freshman Beatrice Normand joins the University of Denver triathlon team this season after previously competing for clubs Tri-O-Lac and Voltgeur in her native Quebec, Canada.
 
The 2023 Quebec Junior Athlete of the Year, Normand earned a bronze medal this past March in the junior race at the Americas Triathlon Championships in Miami and made her debut as an elite athlete on July 14 by coming in 19th in the Americas Triathlon Cup in Magog, Quebec. At the 2024 Canadian National Championships on Sept. 7, Normand finished seventh overall and second among junior athletes ages 20 and younger.
 
The middle sister of the family, Normand started racing at age 4 with older sister Clara, who is a senior captain on the Pioneers.
 
Normand led all Pioneer athletes in her collegiate debut race on Sept. 29 at the Battle in the Fort Collegiate Cup in Fort Worth, Texas, and picked up her first career top 10 and All-Region honors by placing seventh at the Western Regional Championships on Oct. 12 in Springfield, Missouri.

From Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, Normand is majoring in hospitality management at DU and wants to use her degree to be an entrepreneur event planner while also competing on the international stage with World Triathlon.
 
Why did you choose DU?
 
"I chose the University of Denver because of the beautiful city that it is, because of the beautiful hiking spots surrounding the school, because it has the incredible program that I want to study in, and most importantly they have an extraordinary triathlon team. When I went on my official visit, I fell in love with the place and the people."
 
Why Triathlon?
 
"It has been my passion since I was a child. I love triathlon because it is a really hard sport that brings many challenges."
 
How did you get involved in Triathlon?
 
"I started triathlon at the age of 4 because my older sister, Clara, and me were doing it. I don't remember my first race because I was really young, but I saw pictures of it, and I can tell you I had a huge smile on my face."
 
What are some of your favorite spots in Colorado?
 
"The mountains, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and all the coffee shops."
 
Where is your favorite training area?
 
"I love biking in the mountains as it is so beautiful. I would say that I really enjoyed Cuenca, Ecuador, and Virginia. I also love trail running and absolutely love my trail run in Denver."
 
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?
 
"'Aweille Accélère' (Come on go faster!). My sister Clara told me this quote because one of her coaches told her."
 
Do you have a pre-race routine?
 
"The day before, I do a swim, bike and run activation. I drink a lot of Gatorade and for supper I eat pasta or pizza. On race day, I need to have a juice at the same time that I eat breakfast."
 
What kind of music do you like?
 
"Quebec music, the band Les Cowboy Fringants."
 
Do you have a favorite TV show?
 
"How I Met Your Mother."
 
Did you participate in any other sports while growing up?
 
"I danced a lot when I was young."
 
What are your plans for the future?
 
"For triathlon, I would like to compete in the World Triathlon Championship Series circuit. I also want to be an event planner and have my own company that organizes events for others, so I guess want to be an entrepreneur event planner."