TEMPE– Head Coach Cliff English has announced that Sun Devil Triathlon has two new signees set to join the team in Fall 2024. The seven-time National Champions will add Utah native Kaia Merrill and Italy native Alice Alessandri.
Kaia Merrill (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Merrill comes to ASU from Skyline High School in Utah, where she earned varsity letters in swim, cross country, and track and field. In 2023, she competed in the USAT Nationals and at the Junior Olympics in Bend Oregon.
She was the only freshman on the track team to compete at state (3200-meter), running a 5:39 personal best 1600-meter, 2:29 800-meter, 2:25 800-meter (relay), and 12:07 3200-meter. Merrill was also part of Skyline's 4x800 school-record breaking relay state team her sophomore year.
Merrill was named captain of the cross country team her junior and senior year where she ran a personal best 20:25 time in 3.1 miles. Swimming, her best 100-free time is 1:01 and best 50-free time is 27.11.
English praised Merrill's drive, "We are really excited about Kaia joining the program in the fall. She brings a lot of enthusiasm and passion for triathlon in competition and off competition when she co-founded her high school triathlon program. I am looking forward to coaching and developing her as she pursues a degree in Nursing."
Alice Alessandri (Rimini, Italy)
Last season Alessandri participated in the European and World Championships in both duathlon and triathlon, and also finished 10th at the Italian elite triathlon championships. At the Junior Elite Worlds in Hamburg, Germany in 2023, Alessandri placed 24th.
"We are very excited about Alice joining the Sun Devil Tri family. She brings a lot of high level International and European racing experience to the team and will be the first Italian student-athlete in program history and in NCAA Triathlon history. We cannot wait for her arrival to Tempe this August!" praised English.
Kaia Merrill (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Merrill comes to ASU from Skyline High School in Utah, where she earned varsity letters in swim, cross country, and track and field. In 2023, she competed in the USAT Nationals and at the Junior Olympics in Bend Oregon.
She was the only freshman on the track team to compete at state (3200-meter), running a 5:39 personal best 1600-meter, 2:29 800-meter, 2:25 800-meter (relay), and 12:07 3200-meter. Merrill was also part of Skyline's 4x800 school-record breaking relay state team her sophomore year.
Merrill was named captain of the cross country team her junior and senior year where she ran a personal best 20:25 time in 3.1 miles. Swimming, her best 100-free time is 1:01 and best 50-free time is 27.11.
English praised Merrill's drive, "We are really excited about Kaia joining the program in the fall. She brings a lot of enthusiasm and passion for triathlon in competition and off competition when she co-founded her high school triathlon program. I am looking forward to coaching and developing her as she pursues a degree in Nursing."
Introducing the newest signee for the 24-25 season, Kaia Merrill ?? She's joining the squad from Salt Lake City, Utah ??? pic.twitter.com/ehlHzNFJOi
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) February 15, 2024
Alice Alessandri (Rimini, Italy)
Last season Alessandri participated in the European and World Championships in both duathlon and triathlon, and also finished 10th at the Italian elite triathlon championships. At the Junior Elite Worlds in Hamburg, Germany in 2023, Alessandri placed 24th.
"We are very excited about Alice joining the Sun Devil Tri family. She brings a lot of high level International and European racing experience to the team and will be the first Italian student-athlete in program history and in NCAA Triathlon history. We cannot wait for her arrival to Tempe this August!" praised English.
Another one in the books ??
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) February 20, 2024
Alice is joining the squad in Tempe ?? pic.twitter.com/bni9iavffN