Audrey Ernst

This Triathlete Gives More, No Matter the Circumstances

Audrey Ernst competed in her first triathlon atop a kid’s bike with a basket on the front. All the other kids had competition bikes. But that didn’t stop her from competing. After that first race, she saved her money to buy a new bike to continue her newfound dream. She joined Team USA Junior Elite National Team at age 13 and placed first overall in the 2017 USAT High School Triathlon National Championship. Audrey has dreams of one day competing on the Olympic team. In the meantime, she continues to give her all in triathlons around the world while finding time to set school records in cross country and track and to win state cycling competitions.

As euphoric as being first is, what truly inspires Audrey is her participation in the USA Triathlon Tri For Change program. She works with physically handicapped kids to help them achieve their athletic goals. She is continually awed by how these athletes overcome adversity every day, giving everything to finish a race. Audrey says it is these champions who set the example that anything is possible, and she draws on their strength to keep pressing on, even when she is tempted to give up. When a stress fracture ended her senior cross country season early, she joined her school’s swim team instead of the sidelines. A self-taught freestyle swimmer coming from open water triathlons, she had her work cut out for her as part of the second-ranked high school team in her state. But she put in the effort and ultimately finished the season first in the 200m and 500m and second in the 4x100m.

Another life-shaping inspiration came during one of her family’s most difficult experiences. When Audrey was 12, her father was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart condition requiring risky open heart surgery, followed by weeks in the ICU, multiple setbacks, and months of recovery. Some days, she didn’t know if her father would ever leave the hospital. But through it all, the nurses were there to lend a hand, fix problems, and give a friendly smile. Their example shaped Audrey’s career aspirations. She plans to earn her nursing degree so she can one day make a difference to other families struggling with illness and recovery.