NAPERVILLE, Ill. - In their first of three potential opportunities to qualify for November's National Championship, the Sun Devils wasted no time as Katie Gorczyca, Charlotte Ahrens, and Delaney Bucker finished first, second and fourth, respectively to nab the team title at the Central Regional Qualifier.
The historic day marked Arizona State's first ever NCAA collegiate triathlon competition.
"It was a great day of racing by the team and I'm very happy with their performance," beamed head coach Cliff English. "I couldn't have asked for a better start to the season and I'm very proud of these young women."
The only competitor of the field to finish the competition in less than an hour, Gorczyca posted a time of 58:59.9 while Ahrens finished in just over an hour (1:00.03.0). In fourth place, Bucker finished in 1:05.23.1, less than one second behind the third place finisher.
Gorczyca also had the fastest time in the swim and run portions while Ahrens' second leg was just five seconds faster for the speediest bike.
"It was a terrific triathlon venue in downtown Naperville at Centennial Beach. I give a big congrats and thank you to the race organizers and event hosts at North Central College. Congrats to the other teams and participants as well. What an exciting day for the sport of triathlon."
As the top finishing team, ASU qualifies a full team (five members) for the national title in New Orleans Nov. 5.
The remaining members of the team will have a chance to qualify at the East Regional Qualifier on Oct. 2 in Greensboro, N.C. and the West Regional Qualifier on Oct. 8 in Berkeley, Calif.
The historic day marked Arizona State's first ever NCAA collegiate triathlon competition.
"It was a great day of racing by the team and I'm very happy with their performance," beamed head coach Cliff English. "I couldn't have asked for a better start to the season and I'm very proud of these young women."
The only competitor of the field to finish the competition in less than an hour, Gorczyca posted a time of 58:59.9 while Ahrens finished in just over an hour (1:00.03.0). In fourth place, Bucker finished in 1:05.23.1, less than one second behind the third place finisher.
Gorczyca also had the fastest time in the swim and run portions while Ahrens' second leg was just five seconds faster for the speediest bike.
"It was a terrific triathlon venue in downtown Naperville at Centennial Beach. I give a big congrats and thank you to the race organizers and event hosts at North Central College. Congrats to the other teams and participants as well. What an exciting day for the sport of triathlon."
As the top finishing team, ASU qualifies a full team (five members) for the national title in New Orleans Nov. 5.
The remaining members of the team will have a chance to qualify at the East Regional Qualifier on Oct. 2 in Greensboro, N.C. and the West Regional Qualifier on Oct. 8 in Berkeley, Calif.