All of the university's sports teams are gearing up for their debut entrance into the Big 12 Conference. Tri Frogs, though not necessarily affected by the switch, is no exception.

Zach Boring, Tri Frogs president, said the triathlon team club has increased from 12 members to about 50 since the club's start four years ago. 

The group fills the Recreation Center’s downstairs cycling room on cycling workout days, Boring said.

Some triathlon practices are more popular than others, considering the sport includes three disciplines: swimming, biking and running. Stationary biking is the most popular, he said.

Ultimately, the team wants to support and promote a healthy and active lifestyle, Boring said.

He said everyone knows the United States is not the most fit nation, but he wants Tri Frogs to change that.

Brett Guerra, a first-year nursing major, said she was excited to continue doing triathlons with the motivation of a team atmosphere.

"I really wanted to meet more people and get involved in a multisport lifestyle," Guerra said.

She said she thought practicing at 6 a.m. would be the most difficult part, but was ready to meet friendly people to train with for races, she said.

Boring said he is ready to initiate Tri Frogs’ newest plan to give back to the community.

Members of the team will mentor children through the Benbrook YMCA so they can go on to compete in a children’s triathlon later in the year, Boring said.

Most club teams do not have a community service component to their organizations, yet the community continues to be supportive, he said. Boring believed every club sport team should give back.

"We really felt this longing to do something else with our sport then just compete," he said.

Guerra said she liked the community service aspect and was ready to get involved.

Tri Frogs also has a reason for celebration: Boring completed an IRONMAN race this summer. He's the first member of the club to finish the grueling event.

This particular IRONMAN race, set in Louisville, Ky., included a 2.4-mile swim in the Ohio River, 112-mile bike through farmland in Kentucky and a 26.2-mile run in downtown Louisville.

Boring placed tenth in his age group in IRONMAN Louisville. He said he wanted to push his body to its limits in his first attempt at the race, and practiced an average of 18 to 22 hours a week to get ready.

Although the race required lots of training and time spent away from friends, the end result was rewarding, Boring said.

The Tri Frogs' next race is the Stonebridge Ranch Triathlon Sept. 30 in McKinney.