Complete results

Huddleston, Va.----In only the program's second year, the Wingate University women's triathlon team won the USA Triathlon Collegiate Regional qualifier at Smith Mountain Lake Saturday. Bulldog junior Julia Kekkonen won the individual title with her triumphant time of 1:01:07.0.
 
For the second year in a row, Wingate will advance to the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships in Tempe, Arizona. This year's event is slated for Saturday, Nov. 12. In 2021, the Bulldogs finished second at nationals. The 2021 season was Wingate's inaugural women's triathlon campaign.
 
USA Triathlon Collegiate Regional qualifier info (NCAA distances)
 
Swim - 750 meters
Bike - 20 kilometers
Run - 5 kilometers
 
Overall top three individuals (with times)
1-Julia Kekkonen, Wingate (1:01:07.0)
2-Eliska Rihova, Lenoir-Rhyne (1:01:29.4)
3-Dylan Kirchner, Wingate (1:01:54.5)

*Top seven WU Bulldogs (with times)
1-Julia Kekkonen, 1:01:07.0
3-Dylan Kirchner, 1:01:54.5
4-Tamar Veltman, 1:02:27.4
6-Jule Resselberger, 1:02:50.1
7-Andie Kuipers, 1:03:38.6
8-Carla Larrabeiti Jefferson, 1:04:35.4
9-Pamela Hernandez Quevedo, 1:04:48.4

*NOTE: In 2022, the top five individuals contributed to the team score.

Team standings
1-Wingate, 323 points
2-Lenoir-Rhyne, 287 points
3-Emmanuel (Ga.), 168 points

Notes
 
- Wingate's Kekkonen gives the Bulldogs two regional individual winners in two years
- In 2021, then-Wingate freshman Finja Schierl won the individual crown
- Kekkonen's individual win is especially sweet, as she missed the 2021 regional championships due to injury
- Bulldog freshman Jule Resselberger had the fastest D2 swim time Saturday
- For the first time, the top five individuals contributed to the women's team score
- Kirchner shaved four minutes from her 2021 regional time
- The Wingate men's club team won the Division II collegiate club race
- Martin Garcia, Luis Steiert and Maxime Saint-Martin finished 1-2-3 overall
- Xoel Rodriguez Abad swam in both men's races (morning and afternoon editions)

What They Are Saying
Wingate head coach Nick Radkewich

"Today was a big, long day for Wingate University Triathlon. The women's strategy was to work together as a team…knowing the individual successes would follow. Our strategy played out well."
 
"Jule Resselberger came out of the swimming portion in the lead pack…with several Bulldogs strung together in the following groups. Julia Kekkonen, Dylan Kirchner and Tamar Veltman worked together in the chase group."
 
"The run is always our strongest event…and Julia Kekkonen moved herself into a regional championship position finish during the run, while Dylan Kirchner also earned a podium finish, thanks to a strong showing in the run."
 
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.