Dover, Del. (July 14, 2021) --- Delaware State women's triathlon head coach Eric Kirouac has announced that Maria Garcia Rabago of Mexico City, Mex., has signed to attend the university and compete for the Hornets' newest sports team this season.
Garcia Rabago has competed in more than 30 Mexican Triathlon Federation endorsed competitions. This past March, she took first place in her age group and the general female sprint triathlon "Las Estacas," which qualified her to compete at a World Cup event in Bermuda.
In addition, the new Hornet participated in L'Etape Acapulco by Le Tour de France, where she captured first place in her age group in the cycling event.
"I´m super excited to start a new chapter of my life at Delaware State University and officially become a Hornet," said Garcia Rabago. "DSU will allow me to keep practicing the sport that I love and pursue my dream of becoming a professional at this beautiful sport. At the same time, I'm looking forward to continuing my education and getting a degree in chemistry. Can't wait to be there and start this new adventure."
Garcia Rabago is the ninth student-athlete to sign with the Hornets' triathlon team, joining  Cassidy Van Wagenen of  Havelock, N.C., Danielle Fleurima of Chillicothe, OH, Chara Hinds of Bridgetown, Barbados, Jenna Blauser of Karns City, Pa., Pamela Hernandez Quevedo of Mexico City, Mex., Nola Woods of Lincoln, Neb., Asia Lucas of Glen Burnie, Md., and Carmen Medina of Santiago, Chile
"It is my pleasure to welcome Maria to the triathlon team for the fall season," Kirouac said. "She is a tremendous student-athlete and brings years of triathlon experience to help support our team this year." 
Delaware State announced in April 2020 it was adding women's triathlon to its list of intercollegiate sports, becoming the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and second Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to sponsor the sport.
Triathlon was approved in January 2014 as the latest NCAA Emerging Sport for Women for NCAA Division I, II and III institutions. Races are sprint distance, featuring an open water 750-meter swim, draft legal 20-kilometer cycling and a 5-kilometer run. 
Kirouac was announced as the head coach of the new team in March 2021. His extensive triathlon experience includes coaching athletes to USA Triathlon pro license qualifications, in addition to numerous athletics accomplishments.
Kirouac holds a pro license in cross country mountain biking and has coached multiple cyclists to high levels of success in all disciplines, including road, mountain bike, and cyclocross.