Johnson City, Tenn.----Four Wingate University women's triathlon student-athletes have been named to the All-East Region team by the Collegiate Triathlon Coaches Association (CTCA). Bulldog newcomer Shelby Lajeunesse leads the way, as she was named East Region Freshman of the Year.
 
Lajeunesse finished second in Saturday's East Regional with a time of 1:05:06. She was joined on the All-East Region team by sophomore Rebecca Nolan, freshman Vanda Křížková and sophomore Irmak Sereflioğlu, who finished third, fifth and sixth, respectively. The top four Wingate student-triathletes finished within 39 seconds of each other.
 
The No. 1 Wingate University women's triathlon team won its fourth consecutive USA Triathlon Collegiate East Regional qualifier at Lake Norman State Park in Troutman. The Bulldogs will compete in the Collegiate National Championships Saturday, November 8 at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Arizona. Wingate is the defending national champion.
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate head coach Nick Radkewich
 
"The women's triathlon team raced well in very cold and challenging conditions on Saturday; their performances were the results of their hard work since preseason in August. Shelby Lajeunesse continued to improve and led the squad, earning All-Region and our second consecutive Region Freshman of the Year."
 
"Fellow freshman Vanda Křížková continued her good form, joining Shelby and Rebecca Nolan on the All-Region team. Vanda was very active during the bike segment, riding in the top three of the chase pack throughout the four laps, keeping pressure on the group and setting up the run. Last year's Region Freshman of the Year Irmak Sereflioğlu continued her return to championship form, having perhaps her best swim as a Bulldog and having strong performances in all three disciplines."
 
"The team is focused the next 10 days on preparing for the National Championships, November 8 in Tempe, Arizona. I feel we have something to prove on that course and regionals was a great step towards improving on past performances."
 
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 30 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 17 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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