Ruff Wins First Collegiate Event, Triathlon Takes First at OktoberFest
LONGMONT, Colo. – Sun Devil Triathlon opened their season with a first place team finish at the OktoberFest Sprint Triathlon. Four Sun Devils finished in the top-five with eight who clocked in at the top-20.
The newest Sun Devil in Maroon and Gold, Naomi Ruff won her first collegiate event with a time of 01:01:57.
"Overall, today was a great team victory and individual victory for our Sun Devils," head coach Cliff English said. "Naomi competed hard in her first event for us and we look forward to seeing what she has to show us in future races. Evan (Welch) had an incredible bike, Amber (Schlebusch) had a brillant run and very good swim, Liberty also did really well today finishing her event. It's a bright future for ASU Triathlon this fall."
2021 Collegiate Freshman of the Year Alexe Coursol (1:02:06) rounded out the top three with a Bronze finish for Arizona State. Freshman Heidi Jurankova (1:02:17) and senior Liberty Ricca (1:02:30) were shortly behind Coursol as they claimed fourth and fifth places, respectively.
Amber Schlebusch and Camile Buchanan finished seventh and 12th overall, respectively. Evan Welch finished 14th overall, and Madison Judas finished 20th in her first collegiate race.
Schlebusch finished with the fastest 3.1-mile run time among the field (18:42). Ricca recorded the fastest swim time among Sun Devils and the second-fastest swim time among all competitors (08:56). Coursol (31:49) and Buchanan (31:50) recorded the team's fastest times on the cycle and third and fourth best in the competition.
For the team competition, there were 53 NCAA entries amongst ASU, Denver, San Francisco, South Dakota, Black Hills State, Cal Poly-Humboldt and MSU Billings. In the race, Liberty Ricca and Alexe Coursol's finishes were not included in the team score because only seven competitors for each team were selected to be counted for the overall score.
The Sun Devils have a quick turnaround as they compete in the Mile High Relays tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 25, at University of Denver.
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Triathlon program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilTri), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundeviltri), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1. Naomi Ruff (01:01:57)
3. Alexe Coursol (01:02:06)
4. Heidi Jurankova (01:02:17)
5. Liberty Ricca (01:02:30)
7. Amber Schlebusch (01:02:46)
11.Camille Buchanan (01:03:29)
14. Evan Welch (01:04:31)
20. Madison Judas (01:06:49)
27. Audrey Ernst (01:09:35)
TEAM RESULTS
1) Arizona State - 233 pts
2) Denver - 212 pts
3) San Francisco - 195 pts
4) South Dakota - 173 pts
5) Black Hills St - 128 pts
6) Cal Poly Humboldt - 60 pts
7) MSU Billings - 48 pts