Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women's and men's triathlon teams celebrated Senior Day with an afternoon ceremony in Cuddy Arena Sunday, September 1. The Bulldogs honored nine student-athletes who are completing their academic and athletic journeys this school year.
 
Prior to the ceremony, Wingate hosted its annual Bulldog Super Sprint Kickoff. The No. 2 Wingate women won the event, defeating two top-10 NCAA Division I programs (Queens and Duquesne) in the process. The Bulldog men's club triathlon team defeated frequent rival Emmanuel (Ga.) in a dual meet.
 
Next on the Wingate agenda is the Davidson Collegiate Cup presented by Trane Technologies on Sunday in Davidson, N.C. The men's and women's action begins at 8 a.m.
 
Precious memories
 
The Wingate University athletic communications office caught up with the nine triathlon senior student-athletes to find out about favorite memories, inside and outside of the competition arena. An edited transcript follows…
 
Wingate University women's triathlon seniors
 
Maddie Gagnon
 
Gagnon's favorite WU TRI memory: "…going to coffee shops with the team during long rides."
 
Gagnon's favorite outside-of-triathlon WU memory: "…going to the Charlotte Christmas Village."
 
Gagnon's favorite WU faculty/staff member: "…first-year admissions counselor Beau Horne…because he was helpful to me during my transfer process to Wingate University."
 
Dylan Kirchner
 
Kirchner's favorite WU TRI memory: "…is going to nationals for the first time as a team my freshman year. It was really cool to be a part of the first Wingate triathlon team to advance to nationals."
 
Kirchner's favorite outside-of-triathlon WU memory: "…is toilet papering the quad during homecoming week each year."
 
Kirchner's favorite WU faculty/staff member: "…is Dr. Chris Dahm. I have only had one class with Dr. Dahm as my professor, but he has made it a point to talk to me about triathlon and school since I started at Wingate my freshman year."
 
Carla Larrabeiti
 
Larrabeiti's favorite WU TRI memory: "…would be my freshman year as triathlon was a new program at Wingate. It has been exciting to see the team grow as time has passed."
 
Larrabeiti's favorite outside-of-triathlon WU memory: "…is when every year after we've come back from Winter break…we do Secret Santa between team members."
 
Larrabeiti's favorite WU faculty/staff member: "I would say Dr. Benjamin Thorne has had a big impact on me…his classes have been my all-time favorites at Wingate. Dr. Thorne is one of those professors who can make a difference."
 
"I would also have to say Dr. Magdalena Krajewska as my advisor. Since the first day, she has been really supportive and she has helped me while I was having a tough time. Dr. Krajewska has always been friendly and welcoming. I'm very thankful for everything she has done."
 
Pamela Hernandez Quevedo
 
Hernandez Quevedo's favorite WU TRI memory: "…was the whole trip to the Clermont race in Florida." 
 
Hernandez Quevedo's favorite outside-of-triathlon WU memory: "…is spending quality time with my teammates at dinner every day."
 
Hernandez Quevedo's favorite WU faculty/staff member: "…is Dr. Debra Davis from the biology department. She is really good and patient explaining her classes. She cared for my well-being and for me as a student."
 
Wingate University men's triathlon seniors
 
Kyle Butler
 
Butler's favorite WU TRI memory: "…for me, this would probably be the bike rides with the team." 
 
Butler's favorite outside-of-triathlon WU memory: "…is the time I spent involved in the various clubs I joined."
 
Butler's favorite WU faculty/staff member: "…this is hard to say, but If I have to choose, I would say Dr. Barry Cuffe from the business department. He is a great teacher who is always helpful…his classes are a joy."
 
Martin Garcia
 
Garcia's favorite WU TRI memory: "…is our trip to California for nationals." 
 
Garcia's favorite outside-of-triathlon WU memory: "…is attending Wingate University football games."
 
Garcia's favorite WU faculty/staff member: "…is Dr. Jacob Wobig. I consider his teaching method very useful. Dr. Wobig has helped me understand very well what his classes are all about."
 
Asher Lauderdale
 
Lauderdale's favorite WU TRI memory: "…is the experience of living with my teammates. It's created unforgettable experiences and lifelong friends. "
 
Lauderdale's favorite outside-of-triathlon WU memory: "…has been my work as a University sports photographer. I have loved being a part of the Wingate community and having the opportunity to follow the journey of each team through their seasons."
 
Lauderdale's favorite WU faculty/staff member: "…is Dr. Jacob Wobig. He has been a huge mentor to me in political science. With his guidance, I have grown as a student and person as I gain a deeper understanding of the world."
 
Vorawuth Pattrakulchai (Pun Pun)
 
Pattrakulchai's favorite WU TRI memory: "…was traveling to California for Club Nationals last spring. Although I was not competing, going as the team's media manager kept me close to all the action. I'm super proud of all the boys who raced with their hearts that day."
 
Pattrakulchai's favorite outside-of-triathlon WU memory: "…is any day spent at the campus lake. Whether we are hanging out, walking on the trails or grilling something on a firepit, the campus lake is the University's hidden gem. It takes us out of our busy lives and brings everyone together to embrace the present moment, immersed in nature."
 
Pattrakulchai's favorite WU faculty/staff member: "…choosing a favorite employee is a tough task, because there are too many from which to choose. Mr. Dominique Maneice would be one of them. He's helped nurture me so much as a videographer and sports content creator. He took me in with little-to-no experience in the field and built me up to where I could start to walk on my own two feet."
 
"Mrs. Jessica Teague would also have to be mentioned. She was my first supervisor for my first-ever job. Since I didn't know anything about working in a professional environment, I relied on Mrs. Teague to show me the way. She has been kind and patient to endure my youthful shenanigans to keep me around. She's instilled the importance of hospitality and service into all her student workers."
 
"I'm extremely grateful to have learned so much from these two mentors. These are my honorable mentions: Dr. Nick DeLangie, Mr. David Sherwood and Mr. Anesu Brian Simango. 
 
Elouan Poutrain
 
Poutrain's favorite WU TRI memory: "…was going to nationals in California during the Spring of 2024 with my friends."
 
Poutrain's favorite outside-of-triathlon WU memory: "…was spending a weekend with my friends in Myrtle Beach during my sophomore year."
 
Poutrain's favorite WU faculty/staff member: "…is Ryan Peterson, our previous assistant coach. Ryan helped everyone when they needed help. He provided bike assistance and answered training-related questions. Ryan was always available when we needed to talk to someone."
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. 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.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 26 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 16 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
 
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