Dover, Del.----The Wingate University women's triathlon team has been voted first in the NCAA Division II portion of the Collegiate Triathlon Coaches Association's preseason poll. This recognition is the second consecutive preseason No. 1 ranking for the sixth-year Bulldog program.
 
Wingate won its first-ever title at the 2024 Collegiate Triathlon national championships in Clermont, Florida. The Bulldogs have had five podium placements in five tries, as Wingate has finished second, third, second, first and second in its previous national championship appearances.

What They Are Saying
Wingate head coach Nick Radkewich
 
Thank you: "I want to thank the NCAA Division II coaches for complementing the team with the honor of its second consecutive No. 1 preseason ranking. There are some great programs in Division II and I hope that this serves to inspire our Bulldogs as much as I know it will inspire the other teams to prove they deserve the title this season. At the end of the day, it is only a ranking."
 
Preseason start, amazing returners: "The women have had a great start to training during our first two weeks and I know they will continue to work hard as a team to have a great season. We are fortunate to have returned an amazing squad from last year's close runner-up finish, led by National Freshman of the Year Shelby Lajeunesse and '26 team captains Pia Diemer and Paula Auschill. We have added freshmen Etriin Etverk (Estonia), Clara Murison (Canada) and Kylie Evans (Greensboro, N.C.), who should also contribute.
 
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 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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