Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University incoming freshman women's triathlon student-athlete Zahra Gaskin will compete for her home country of Barbados in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England July 28-August 8. Gaskin began her triathlon career at age five through the Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes (BFIT) Kids' Series.
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate women's triathlon head coach Nick Radkewich:
 
"I knew when I first began speaking with Zahra during the recruiting process that she was a great fit for our program based on her academic and athletic background. I started to notice she had some great leadership qualities that I thought would impact our young program. Earlier this summer, I asked her to reach out to her teammates and take the lead in starting communications among the new Bulldogs. Zahra did a great job and, in the process, found a roommate for the fall."
 
"Earlier this year, she represented Barbados at the Junior Pan American Games, but now she has reached her goal of representing Barbados at the senior level at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. I believe one day a Bulldog triathlete will be representing Wingate and their home nation at the Olympic Games…Zahra is bringing the program one step closer to this goal."
 
Zahra Gaskin quick facts
 
- Participated in the 2021 Junior Pan American Games in Colombia, featuring the top junior triathletes in the Americas
- Competed for Barbados in the CARIFTA Games, sponsored by the Caribbean Free Trade Association
- Named as one of the first athletes in BFIT's Junior Emerging Athlete Program (JEAP)
- The JEAP is an initiative created to develop athletes with long-term potential to achieve high performance
- The JEAP initiative provides both financial and coaching support
- Started her triathlon career at age five through the BFIT Kids' Series
 
2022 Commonwealth Games (link)
Birmingham, England (July 28-August 8)
 
- Triathlon competition is Sunday, July 31
- Competition will be held in Sutton Park, a large urban park located in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
- The Commonwealth Games have been held every four years (with a hiatus during World War II) since 1930
 
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.