BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's triathlon team got its first commitment of the 2022 class, as Post Falls, Idaho native Alahna Lien signed her letter of intent.
 
"I have had the dream of competing in collegiate triathlons since eighth grade and am excited for the chance to make that dream a reality," Lien said. "MSUB will give me the best opportunity to compete and complete a nursing degree."
 
Coming to MSUB from Post Falls High School's powerhouse girls distance running program, Lien expects to focus on racing triathlons, plus running in some track meets and cross country meets that don't interfere with the fall triathlon schedule. In addition, Lien has nine years of club swimming experience with the Coeur d'Alene Swim Team.
 
"I had the pleasure of joining Alahna's parents in cheering her on to victory at last summer's Big Sky State Games Triathlon," MSUB head triathlon coach Kevin Bjerke said. "She is a solid open water swimmer and will add some extensive overall swimming experience to our team by virtue of her nine years of club swimming. Alahna is also an excellent runner and a key contributor to her historically strong cross country team. She has an outstanding work ethic and attitude and is very motivated to leave her mark on collegiate triathlon. I am excited to get to work with her."
 
Although triathlon is not a high school-sanctioned sport in Idaho, Lien has competed in triathlons when she is not racing for the Trojans' cross country or track seasons. After getting seriously invested in the sport as an eighth grader, Lien rose up the national rankings and was ranked as high as 52^nd for her age group in 2019.  Most recently, Lien was the second female finisher at the 2021 Post Falls Triathlon. She also has experience racing in Billings; Lien has been the top finisher in her age group at the Big Sky State Games for the past two years.
 
A four-year varsity runner on Post Falls' girls cross country team, Lien has helped the Trojans qualify for the IHSAA 5A State Cross Country Championships in all four years, and was Post Falls' third runner (20^th overall) in the team's runner-up finish at the 2020 state race. Lien's 19:02 5K at the 2021 Inland Empire Challenge ranks fifth all-time in program history.
 
In track, Lien goes into her senior season with personal bests of 5:34.50 in the 1600 meters, 11:55.00 in the 3200 meters and 2:39.24 in the 800 meters; her 3200 meter time ranks seventh in school history. As a junior, Lien qualified individually for the 3200 meters and led off on Post Falls' 4x800 meter relay team that took eighth at the 2021 IHSAA Track and Field Championships.
 
Lien is expected to bolster a MSUB women's triathlon team that had its first full, four-athlete scoring result in program history this past season, plus had its first NCAA national qualifier in Madisan Chavez.