Southern Wesleyan has hired Jamie Church as the new head women's triathlon coach.

Church comes to Southern Wesleyan from Tri Your Best Coaching which he opened in 2005.  During his time running TYB, Church has helped hundreds of athletes of all phases in life compete in triathlon events.  He has coach several athletes who have gone on to be named USAT All-Americans and were represented at National and World Championship races.  Church has also coached several junior athletes who have gone on to compete in Division I and II schools in varsity sports.

"We are pleased to add Jamie Church to our staff as the Women's Triathlon coach for SWU.  He will be charged with developing this emerging sport within the NCAA for our department and university," said Warriors Director of Athletics Chris Williams.  "It is exciting to know that SWU is one of 13 schools within the NCAA Divisions I, II and III to offer triathlon as a varsity sport.  Coach Church has extensive background in training triathletes in the Greenville area and we know he will be a huge asset for our program as we begin it here at SWU."

Church earned his Masters of Accounting and Financial Management from Clemson University.

He has been a USAT Certified Coach from 2006 to 2014, and was USA Cycling Level 3 Certified from 2006 to 2012.

"While continuing to work with our age group athlete via TYB Coaching, we are excited for the opportunity to work with the student athletes at Southern Wesleyan University," said Church.  "It is an honor to be able to be on the ground floor with the start of the women's varsity program at SWU.  While we are ecstatic about coaching the team, we are even more excited about sharing in the vision of SWU while engaging with the student body and the community through the sport of triathlon."

The Warriors Triathlon team will start competing in the 2017-2018 academic year under the guidance of Church.  Southern Wesleyan University is one of only thirteen schools within the NCAA to offer triathlon as a varsity sport.