May 20, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 4 min read

During her final high school swimming season, Uniontown senior Hannah Foster decided to make a change when it came to her college aspirations.

The four-time state swimming qualifier, who was also a two-time state cross country participant, had originally planned on attending West Virginia University without competing in collegiate athletics, but after pondering her decision, Foster had a new idea.

“I put in my times for Duquesne University in March, which is really late in the game when it comes to recruiting,” Foster said. “I realized I didn’t want my swimming career to end, and I thought being on the triathlon team would be a great opportunity for me. Being a Division-I athlete was never a thought in my mind until I started investigating in March.

“I went for a visit to the campus at Duquesne several weeks ago and I met the coaches and the team, and then we all went for breakfast. It was really nice, and two of my future teammates are also in my major. It will be an adjustment getting used to the campus and being in the city of Pittsburgh, but I am excited for it.”

Foster also benefited from some good fortune when speaking with Duquesne triathlon coach Joella Baker, who informed Foster that a spot was available on the roster for next season due to a transfer.

Foster has plenty of experience running and swimming, as she has been running for as long as she can remember, and has been swimming competitively since she was nine-years-old, but cycling will be the toughest transition.

The Dukes compete in sprint triathlons, which begin with a 750-meter swim, followed by a 12-mile bicycle ride before ending with a 5K (3.1 miles). Foster, who has completed four half-marathons (13.1 miles), would like to run a full-marathon (26.2 miles). She intends to finish an Ironman competition (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon) in the future.

“I am used to running 5Ks and swimming that distance, so I am comfortable with that,” Foster said. “I do bike on trails, so I have experience in that, but the level that they bike at is something I will need to work on. One of my goals is to complete an Ironman competition, and I had that as a goal before I even thought about being on the triathlon team.”

Duquesne will have plenty of road and air travel to its competitions, as there are not a plethora of triathlon teams in the area, which is something Foster is looking forward to, as she is an outdoors enthusiast, and will study civil engineering with an environmental concentration in college.

Foster, who is the daughter of Amy and Joe Foster, has two younger siblings in Patrick and Gracelyn. The Fosters cycle, run and swim as part of their activities as a family. Amy and Joe were athletes in high school.

Hannah Foster has just as much ability in the classroom as in athletics, as she holds a 4.72 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, student council as a class officer, academic league, math team, French and Bible clubs. Foster has been a member of the Fayette County 4-H for nine years.

Foster wanted to express appreciation for her coaches, family, friends and teachers for their support throughout her career at Uniontown.

“Doing well in school and applying myself has been something that my parents always stressed,” Foster said. “My athletic pursuits are usually my hobbies, and most of my friends are involved in athletics, so it all tends to go hand-in-hand. I have been blessed with amazing people in my life. I look forward to seeing what this next chapter of my life will bring.”