Triathlon Set to Race in NCAA West Qualifier

Stockton, MO. – Sun Devil Triathlon will look to build on its impressive start to the season when the team travels to Missouri for the West Regional National Qualifier at the NCAA Heartland Triathlon Cup on Oct. 15.

"This is our biggest competition in terms of depth of field that we will be attending this year. I think we've got an incredibly strong and deep team and looking for another very strong performance from individuals and as a team," head coach Cliff English said. 

This weekend's team for the Maroon and Gold includes upperclassmen Liberty Ricca and Amber Schlebusch as well as sophomores Camille Buchanan, Alexe Coursol, Evan Welch. Rounding out the squad are freshmen Heidi Jurankova, Faith Dasso, Naomi Ruff and Madison Judas. 

The course this weekend is in a draft-legal race format, featuring a sprint-distance triathlon consisting of a 750-meter open-water swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5k run. The top eight NCAA varsity teams in each NCAA division will earn an automatic National Championship qualification. The top 20-ranked individual varsity athletes per division, who are not already qualified as part of a team, will also earn a spot at Nationals.

"A lot is at stake with this race," English said. 

The number one ranked team coming out of the competition will be able to choose its starting position at Nationals. For the first time, teams will begin the National Championship race in a starting box on Tempe Town Lake North Beach.

In the last two races, Arizona State has won both events as a team while Illinois native Ruff defeated her individual opponents at the Oktoberfest race with a time of 01:01:5. 

The Sun Devils are five time National Champions and looking to defend the title that has only seen Tempe. 

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).