- Accomplishments
- Sage Ridge Spotlight
At Sage Ridge School, we are constantly inspired by our students’ achievements—in the classroom, on the stage, and in competition. This summer, rising sophomore Rhys Ferrito reached a historic milestone in the world of triathlon, achieving what no U.S. male athlete his age has ever done before.
Since 2021, Ferrito has competed each summer at the USA Triathlon (USAT) Youth Nationals, winning the national title twice—first in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2023 and again in Des Moines, Iowa in 2024. But this June, he pushed beyond anything he or his coach (his dad) imagined possible.
In early June, Ferrito raced in the USAT Adult Nationals in Omaha, Nebraska. Athletes must be at least 15 years old to compete—an age limit put in place for safety reasons. Ferrito, still three weeks shy of his 15th birthday at the time, was able to compete under the "age-up" rule which considers an athlete's age at the end of year, rather than on the day of competition.
The results were nothing short of incredible:
June 5 – Super-Sprint Triathlon
- Finished 25th overall out of 276 adults
- Crowned National Champion for the 15–19 age group
June 6 – Aquathlon
- Finished 7th overall out of 237 adults
- Again, National Champion in his age group
- Qualified for the 2026 World Championships in Abu Dhabi, UAE
June 7 – Sprint Triathlon
- Finished 28th overall out of 348 adults
- Placed 4th in the 15–19 age group
- Qualified for a second 2026 World Championship, this time in Pontevedra, Spain
Rhys Ferrito is now the youngest male in U.S. triathlon history to qualify for a Triathlon World Championship. In 2026, he will represent the United States in two World Championships, on two continents—all before his 16th birthday.
Achievements like Ferrito’s don’t happen by accident—they’re built on years of training, discipline, and the ability to balance a rigorous schedule. At Sage Ridge, students begin developing these essential skills as early as third grade, when they are introduced to executive functioning tools like time management, organization, and prioritization. These foundational habits prepare students to pursue excellence both academically and personally.
Sage Ridge students learn how to manage demanding schedules and competing priorities—skills typically seen in collegiate athletes—while maintaining high academic standards and active involvement in the life of the school. Our students compete on 24 school athletic teams across 13 sports, and many pursue passions beyond the Sage Ridge campus, from horseback riding and national music competitions to elite-level sports like triathlon.
When members of our community recently asked why Ferrito wasn’t joining his friends on the recent school trip to Japan, the answer was simple: he was in Omaha, quietly making history.
We are incredibly proud of Rhys Ferrito and the journey ahead of him. He is a shining example of what it means to be a Sage Ridge Scorpion—driven, prepared, and fearless in the pursuit of excellence.
