Lake Anna, Va.----The Wingate University men's triathlon team made history at the Pleasant Landing Triathlon Saturday, defeating reigning national champions Queens University of Charlotte in the first round of the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Triathlon Conference Championships. The two teams battled the elements and each other to a final score of Wingate 19, Queens 20. The U.S. Naval Academy completed the podium with 75 points. 

For the second race in a row, rain, cold temperatures and wind played a factor in the outcome. Wingate was led by Humberto Castañeiras and Jack Spence out of the shortened swim in first and second place, respectively. The swim was cut in half due to conditions on Lake Anna.  

Luis Steiert finished the bike in second place and held that position through the run to earn the Bulldogs' top finisher honors. Xoel Rodriguez Abad, Charlie Smoak and Jack Spence ran through the field with the top three fastest runs of the day to finish fourth, sixth and eighth, respectively. The Bulldogs finished with six of the top 10 run times and placed seven in the top 14 finishers overall. 

The Wingate triathletes will return to action next week at the Blue Ridge Draft Legal Triathlon Festival in round two of the MACTC Championships, along with Bulldog NCAA women's squad, who are competing in the East Regional during the same festival.