RESULTS | 2025 Robious Landing Triathlon
FEATURE | Defending national champs off to flying start
 
Midlothian, Va.----The NCAA Division II No. 1 Wingate University women's triathlon team lived the motto "teamwork makes the dream work" Sunday, taking first place in the Robious Landing Triathlon. Division I the U.S. Naval Academy finished second, while South Atlantic Conference rival Lenoir-Rhyne took third.
 
Sophomore Irmak Sereflioğlu had her best race of the season, taking second place with her time of 56:13.17. The Bulldogs had four student-triathletes in the top 11. Senior Katja Krenn finished seventh, while junior Grace Nolan and freshman Beate Bula were 10th and 11th, respectively.
 
The Wingate University athletic communications office caught up with Sereflioğlu and Bulldog head coach Nick Radkewich to get their thoughts on the event (an edited transcript follows).
 
What They Are Saying about the Robious Landing Triathlon
Wingate women's triathlon head coach Nick Radkewich
 
"This was a great race for some of our Wingate student-triathletes to step up and race for scoring positions. I believe there were a few teams looking forward to their first win against the Bulldogs, but the women happily disappointed them. It was a strong field of D1 and D2 squads and it felt good to see our team work hard, execute a great race and step up on the podium's top step."  
 
"The group raced as a team, like we always do and it showed with Grace Nolan and Beate Bula in the lead group out of the swim and sharing the pace on the bike to come into T2 leading the race. Irmak Sereflioğlu and sophomore Ozlenen Ipek Gunad worked together in the second pack on the bike. Irmak returned to her East Regional Freshman of the Year form on the run, coming off the bike sixth and challenging for the win. For Irmak to finish in the runner-up position is big news for us."
 
"Katja Krenn also finished with a strong run moving up from leading the third bike pack to seventh position. These performances are a great sign to the rest of the team that training is on track to defend the East Regional Championship in Troutman, North Carolina October 25.  They need to be ready because we know that Lenoir-Rhyne is going to be there and as two-time national champions, they are formidable rivals every year."
 
Wingate sophomore student-triathlete Irmak Sereflioğlu 
 
"Throughout the race, we demonstrated a strong team spirit and moved in complete harmony. This unity was clearly reflected in our performance. This year, we have been training with greater discipline and efficiency as a team. The positive results of these efforts became evident during the Robious Landing competition."
 
"From my personal perspective, the race went very well. In the swimming leg, I was able to perform more comfortably, thanks to the consistent training I had put in. During the cycling stage, my teammate and I successfully executed the strategies we had planned. In the running segment, I gave my utmost to showcase my abilities."
 
"Having dealt with an injury in the past, I am steadily rebuilding my performance step by step. Gradually reaching the level to which I aspire is a great source of motivation for me. I am deeply grateful to both our coach and my teammates for their invaluable support throughout this journey."
 
"Our goal is to maintain this spirit of unity and hard work, achieve even greater successes as a team and once again take our place at the top of the podium."
 
CTCA Rankings update
 
Wingate remains the No. 1 team in Division II in the September 24 College Triathlon Coaches Association (CTCA) rankings. When the CTCA combines Divisions I, II and III, Wingate is No. 6, trailing only Arizona State, Arizona, San Francisco, Queens and Texas Christian. The Bulldogs were No. 1 in both the preseason Division II listing and the first regular season ranking on September 17.
 
Next up for No. 1 Wingate University
 
Wingate will compete in the East Regionals Saturday, October 25 in Troutman, North Carolina. The Bulldogs are the three-time defending East Regional champions.
 
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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