NEWS | Wingate is ranked No. 1 in CTCA preseason coaches' poll
NEWS | No. 1 Wingate brings home program's first TRI national title
 
Wingate, N.C.----The defending national champion Wingate University women's triathlon team opens its 2025 season Sunday, hosting the Bulldog SuperSprint Kickoff. The action begins at 7:30 a.m. inside the Cannon Athletic Complex Natatorium on the WU campus.
 
Competitors will swim 300 yards, bike five miles and run 1.25 miles. There are three preliminary heats for women and three prelim heats for men. The top 24 women will compete in A and B finals, starting at 10:20 a.m. The men's finals follow at 11:20 a.m.
 
Post-meet Senior Day ceremony follows SuperSprint Kickoff
 
The Wingate University family will honor 10 triathlon seniors during a post-meet ceremony in the Cannon Athletic Complex's Cuddy Arena. Meet organizers hope the festivities can begin between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.
 
Wingate women's seniors include Zahra Gaskin, Katja Krenn, Sydney Perry and Linn Suchomel. The Bulldog men's seniors include Humberto Castañeiras Jenner, Xoel Rodriguez Abad, Charlie Smoak, Jack Spence, Luis Steiert and Mario Suárez Alonso.
 
The Wingate University athletic communications office caught up with Bulldog senior Katja Krenn and sophomore Paula Auschill to get their thoughts on Sunday's race and the upcoming women's triathlon season. An edited interview transcript follows…
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate women's triathlon senior Katja Krenn
 
"After winning nationals last year, the expectations are high. Our team is ranked first in the CTCA preseason national poll. We have had a few changes to the team with some graduating and others coming in new, but the team dynamics are great so far. Everyone is motivated for the season and excited to start it this Sunday at our home event."
 
"The team training sessions we have had are promising for a strong performance of the team throughout the season. Our goals are clear and we are working to create an environment in which each student-athlete can achieve their best. Competing at home is always special, we are hoping to get a good feeling for racing and carrying out to upcoming events." 
 
"Personally, I am ready to give it my all one last time here in Wingate before graduating in May. Wingate has a special place in my heart and my full focus lies on being the best possible version of myself while giving the team the support they need."
 
Wingate women's triathlon sophomore Paula Auschill
 
"The upcoming triathlon season is going to be very interesting and challenging as we head into it as the defending national champions. In addition, a newly-assembled team needs to be established, as four graduating seniors have left certain gaps that will have to be filled by five freshmen and one transfer."
 
"We have been together as a team since August 15…and the first preseason sessions have shown that our team looks incredibly strong. I think the training sessions have been very promising so far. Having the first race of the season on our 'home ground' Sunday will be a great opportunity to show the current status and our potential for progress. This adds an extra layer of excitement for everyone."
 
At the same time, the Bulldog SuperSprint Kickoff marks the start of the new season, which includes several qualifying competitions until the beginning of November. As already mentioned, the goal is to defend our championship title at Nationals in Tempe, Arizona. This particular challenge makes the season extremely exciting. Each individual and we as a team will do everything and will work hard to achieve our goals."
 
Making the grade in the classroom
 
Each year, the Wingate women's triathlon team receives academic honors from the Collegiate Triathlon Coaches Association (CTCA). Following the 2024 season, four Bulldog student-athletes were recognized by the CTCA for excellence in the classroom.

Wingate earned '24 CTCA Scholar All-American team status, as the Bulldogs posted a 3.693 GPA in the fall 2024 semester, well above the 3.2 or higher requirement to receive the team honor. Six student-athletes compiled individual 4.00 GPAs for the fall semester.
 
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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