Johnson City, Tenn.----A program-best six 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 Etriin Etverk leads the way, as she was named East Region Freshman of the Year.
 
Etverk finished fifth in Saturday's East Regional with a time of 1:05:18.53. She was joined on the All-East Region team by sophomore Vanda Krizkova, senior Grace Nolan, sophomore Paula Auschill, freshman Clara Murison and senior Pia Diemer.  
 
The No. 1 Wingate women's triathlon team won its fifth consecutive USA Triathlon Collegiate East Regional qualifier at the Lanier Islands Saturday. Krizkova led the Bulldogs, finishing third overall and first in NCAA Division II.
 
For the first time in Wingate's brief six-year women's triathlon history, the Bulldogs claimed the overall (all three NCAA divisions) East Region title. Wingate posted 743 points. Local NCAA Division I rival Queens University of Charlotte was second overall with 705 points.
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate head coach Nick Radkewich
 
"It's tough to focus on the task ahead when the accolades keep coming for this group of young women. It started in the spring when we met and discussed what this fall would be like: a shorter season than we are used to by two weeks, three championship races in five weeks and competition that gets tougher every year."
 
"It started with their preparation over the summer and when they arrived on campus I could tell we had a very special group. They train and race as a team. I feel like the hard part of the season is over. We have one week of solid work and then the final rest begins for the third and final championship race of the 2026 season, the national championships in Tempe, Arizona. Success there will be about the details and preparation for the desert conditions. We have some exciting things in place to help them and a great race plan for Tempe."
 
Next on the horizon for Wingate women's triathlon
 
The 2026 Collegiate National Championships are slated for Saturday, Nov. 7 at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Arizona. The sixth-year Bulldog program has had five podium placements in five tries. Wingate finished second, third, second, first and second in its previous national championship appearances.
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,600 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 18 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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