How does a student in an intense accelerated program still enjoy participating in triathlon competitions? Just ask Andrew Sepiol, who is graduating in August from Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) accelerated B.S.N. program.
In 2010, Sepiol earned a degree in kinesiology with a specialty in exercise science at Northern Illinois University (NIU). After graduation he worked as a coach specializing in general sports conditioning, and functional training.
“I decided to pursue nursing because during my tenure as a coach I found that I genuinely enjoyed helping people and tracking their improvements as I worked with them,” Sepiol said. “I have found nursing is slightly different, but I still get that fuzzy feeling when I’m able to make a difference in someone’s life!”
After talking with some of his friends who are nurses and graduates of the Mennonite College of Nursing, he decided to look into his options, and learned about the accelerated B.S.N. “I chose MCN primarily because of the glowing recommendation I received from my friends that graduated from the program,” he said. “It also happens to be quite affordable, and I have found that the college has a very positive reputation with everyone I have encountered.”
Sepiol competed in the Bigfoot Tri in Geneva, Wisconsin, in June.
Sepiol has always been active, and before triathlons, he focused on swimming and boxing. When he received his undergraduate degree from NIU, he was looking for a good way to compete athletically. He had an opportunity to work with track and endurance athletes who inspired him with their athletic prowess. He watched a triathlon and decided to start training and competing. After he was accepted into the program, he learned about the Illinois State University Triathlon Club, the Tri Birds.
This club was established in 2002 for anyone who is looking for a unique challenge in the multisport lifestyle. The Tri Birds focus mainly on triathlons but also have members that prefer to compete in only one of the three disciplines. “I’m currently in my fourth race season and have competed in about 30 races of a multisport format (swim, bike, run, or any iteration therein),” said Sepiol.
“Endurance sports, such as the triathlon, have become my favorite, despite it being easily the most painful event I have ever completed. They are designed to give the glory to the individual that has put in the most work, and has the gall to suffer the most.”
Notable races he has participated in include the Collegiate National Championships, where he represented Illinois State twice in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Tempe, Arizona. He also traveled to Milwaukee, where he competed at the Age Group National Championships and will be going back for a second round the weekend of his graduation in August.
“My favorite races thus far have always been the local ones,” he said. “They offer a very comfortable and familiar atmosphere, and are great for benchmarking my performance from year to year.”
So, how does Sepiol balance being a triathlete as well as being a student in the intense 15-month accelerated program? “Upon acceptance into the program, I worried most about how to balance training and school. Out of all of the sports I have competed in, the triathlon is the hardest, but also my favorite,” he said. “It is my main outlet for stress, and frustration.”
After the first few weeks into the program, Sepiol was able to find a balance at roughly 10–20 hours per week for training. His previous training schedule included 30 hours of sport-specific training in the three disciplines, as well as strength, flexibility, and physiotherapy to prevent injuries. Sepiol found that the reduction in training volume created additional stress, in an already stressful program.
“My ultimate goal is to compete professionally, and that would entail roughly 40–45 hours of sports training per week,” he said. “Right now with going back to school, I spend 10–20 hours on training and 10–20 hours on schoolwork every week. I had to craft some new solutions to make this all work, such as recording lectures to listen to while biking or running. I somehow manage to fit eating, sleep, class, clinical, study, commute, and homework around my workouts.”
Sepiol’s “bib wall,” which motivates him to keep focused on his training.
The first 12-week summer semester in the accelerated B.S.N. program was an adjustment for many of the nursing students. Sepiol recalls questioning his sanity during this time and talked with others in his cohort about whether or not they would make it through this program. “Assistant Dean Dianne Clemens, Dean (Janet) Krejci, and the faculty have been a tremendous support for us,” said Sepiol. “Their commitment to our success was definitely a deciding factor in each and every one of our successes in the program.”
For future students in the Accelerated B.S.N. program, Sepiol’s advice to them is to take it day by day and week by week. “I remember looking at the calendar for each semester and all of the exams, assignments, projects, ATI tests, and feeling extremely overwhelmed!” Sepiol said. “It also really helped me to know how dedicated the faculty and staff at MCN is to your success. I’m also very fortunate to have a supportive family and a great group of fellow students—we all supported each other throughout the program. You can also pursue other passions you have while going to school; you just have to be dedicated and know how to balance your schedule.”
After graduation, Sepiol would like to find a job where his schedule consists of three 12-hour shifts so he can continue to train as a triathlete. “When thinking about my future, I wanted a job where I could have a schedule that still allowed me to train, have a family, and also allow me to continue to help people,” he said. “Nursing is a perfect fit with my plan.”
