Wearing the colors of Team USA, Kelsey Abbott ’00 finished in the top 25% of the women’s field at the International Triathlon Union’s World Sprint Triathlon Championships in London, England, in mid-September. Abbott completed the triathlon in 1:20:33 on a typically cool, wet British day, coming in 184th overall and besting nearly 600 competitors. Along with the sprint triathlon, Abbot also competed in the Aquathlon (swimming and running), finishing that event in 14th place in her age category with a time of 37:52.

Abbott, a standout swimmer and water polo player for the Polar Bears, discovered the thrill of triathlons in graduate school. This is the second time she’s competed on the international stage for Team USA, finishing 15th in the women’s 30-34 category at the International Triathlon Union’s World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, last October. Abbott lives and trains in Maine, where she’s a multisport and life coach.

Catch a glimpse of Abbott as she heads to the finish line in London at minute 1:26 of this clip.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do something I love…and to represent my country while doing it.