USA Triathlon event page
VIDEO | Dylan Kirchner interview
VIDEO | Sophia Maisano interview
Huddleston, Va.----The Wingate University women's triathlon team will participate in the USA Triathlon Collegiate Regional qualifier at Smith Mountain Lake tomorrow. The women's NCAA Division II meet begins at 12 noon.
USA Triathlon Collegiate Regional qualifier info (NCAA distances)
Swim - 750 meters
Bike - 20 kilometers
Run - 5 kilometers
Second-year program sees growth
This year, Wingate head women's triathlon coach
Nick Radkewich had to make selections to get his roster to the regional qualifier-limit of 10 student-athletes. "This was a challenge for us," Radkewich says. "We have a quality squad with much depth…this is not something a triathlon coach typically has to do prior to race day."
In addition to the 10 Bulldogs who will race in the Collegiate Regional qualifier, two Wingate student-athletes will compete in the national developmental race:
Zahra Gaskin and
Sydney Perry.
Radkewich and his Bulldogs will approach the regional qualifier with the same fervor as they did in 2021. "Our depth will help us focus on the team race," Radkewich says. "Our strength is our depth. Our approach to Saturday's race will center on team strategies and how we work well together."
Breakout performers
Radkewich admits with a roster full of talented veterans and newcomers…it is hard to pinpoint one or two student-athletes who have had breakout performances. "
Pamela Hernandez Quevedo and
Tamar Veltman have both stood out as pleasant surprises for us," Radkewich says. "They have performed at a high-level. As they continue to develop, we look for them to do amazing things."
The field
In years past, teams could attend as many regional qualifying races as they could fit into their schedule. This year, the format is divided into East and West. Wingate and Lenoir-Rhyne will battle for NCAA Division II honors Saturday, while Queens, Wagner and Delaware State highlight the Division I entries.
Looking back at 2021, athletically and academically
In November, Wingate finished second in the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships to six-time national champion Queens University of Charlotte. Current Bulldog junior
Julia Kekkonen finished fourth on the individual leaderboard, while current sophomore
Carla Larrabeiti Jefferson claimed 23rd place.
The aforementioned duo (plus individual national champion
Finja Schierl) was recognized by the Collegiate Triathlon Coaches Association (CTCA) as Division II Scholar All-Americans. Kekkonen and Schierl made the first team, while Jefferson received Scholar All-American honorable mention laurels.
The Bulldogs were named a CTCA Scholar All-American team as well. Wingate compiled a 3.485 cumulative GPA during the 2021-22 academic year. Four veteran Bulldogs enter the fall 2022 semester with cumulative GPAs of 3.500 or better.
Wingate University
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 38 undergraduate majors as well as seven master's and four doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 14 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at
www.wingate.edu.
Wingate women's triathlon travel roster
USA Triathlon Collegiate Regional qualifier
Zahra Gaskin
Pamela Hernandez Quevedo
Judit Ibarra Cazorla
Julia Kekkonen
Dylan Kirchner
Andie Kuipers
Carla Larrabeiti Jefferson
Sophia Maisano
Sydney Perry
Jule Resselberger
Linn Suchomel
Tamar Veltman
