Rechel earns Gold at 2012 World University Games Triathlon

Richmond's Julie Rechel (UR'11) and U.S. Teammates
(Kaitlin Shiver and Jessica Broderick)
earned FIRST EVER GOLD for the USA at
2012 World University Games Triathlon in Taipei, Taiwan
Photo: Steve Kelley/USA Triathlon

Julie Rechel graduated last year (2011) from the University of Richmond where she was a standout both on the track and in the classroom.  On June 30, 2012 she and her U.S. teammates won the U.S. teams first ever Gold Medal at the World University Games Triathlon Championships in Taipei, Taiwan.

You may remember in addition to leading the Spider women to their third Atlantic 10 Cross Country title as a senior in 2010, setting the Spider program record in the 10,000M and qualifying for the NCAA Championships East Preliminary Round in the 10,000M, Rechel capped off her collegiate career as the recipient of the University’s “Student-Athlete Presidential Citation for Academic Achievement” award honoring the Spider student-athlete who maintained the highest cumulative GPA (3.97 in Physics) over her four years on campus.  She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Pharmacy at VCU.

"This is a great achievement for Julie and her teammates", said Richmond's Director of Track & Field, Lori Taylor.  "We are proud of her achievements as a student-athlete while part of our program and continue to be proud and impressed with her dedication and commitment to the goals she has set for herself.  She is a driven student who carries the same intensity to the competition she faces. I hope people realize the significance of their first ever gold medal and the foundation she and her teammates have laid for the women who will follow. It's a groundbreaking achievement for the sport within the U.S. and their willingness to compete with and win against the best under 23 athletes in the World is truly inspirational."  

For more event details and photos view the links below...

2012 World University Games Triathlon 

Women's TEAM RESULTS

GOLD-----United States---25 Points--1st Place

SILVER---Japan-----------34 Points--2nd Place

BRONZE--Poland---------37 Points--3rd Place

Highlight video of the event, including opening ceremonies:

Highlight Video of the Women's Event:

U.S. Women Take Team Gold At University Champs

Triathlete.com article: (June 30, 2012)

Americans Kaitlin Shiver, Jessica Broderick and Julie Rechel recorded top-15 finishes Saturday to lead the U.S. women to their first-ever team title at the International University Sports Federation’s (FISU) 11th World University Triathlon Championship.  READ MORE HERE

On the podium is Richmond's Julie Rechel (UR'11)
and U.S. Teammates
(Kaitlin Shiver and Jessica Broderick)
as they earn FIRST EVER GOLD for the USA at
2012 World University Games Triathlon in Taipei, Taiwan   

Team USA Women and Men at the opening ceremonies.

Team USA Women and Men at the opening ceremonies.

USA Teammates
(Kaitlin Shiver, Richmond's Julie Rechel and Jessica Broderick)
get support as they get ready to earn gold for the U.S. at
2012 World University Games Triathlon in Taipei, Taiwan

U......S......A!!!!!!
Team USA--Julie Rechel, Jessica Broderick, Kaitlin Shiver Donner 

Julie Rechel at the pool with her
Richmond Spiders suit and cap. Go Spiders!!

Team USA with new friends.

Chris Braden, Jason Pedersen, Ryan Bice,
Kaitlin Shiver Donner and Julie Rechel on a tour. 

Julie Rechel after the race at the transition station.

Julie Rechel after the race...

Julie Rechel and interpreter, Ting-ting.

Julie Rechel in Taiwan.