NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Arizona State triathlon picked up where they left off as they opened the 2017 season with a team victory at the Central Regional Qualifier, one of three such races the Sun Devils will compete in prior to November's national championship.
"I'm very proud of this team," said head coach Cliff English. "They raced very well as a team and with great class and integrity."
With three opportunities to qualify for the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship (hosted by ASU) in November, the team wasted no time as they qualified a team for the championship by way of a first-place finish on Monday.
Not only did the Sun Devils win as a team and qualify for the national championship, the seven Sun Devil competitors finished in order, led by freshman Hannah Henry (1:00:06.4) who crossed the finish line first among the 56-competitor field.
ASU won their second straight Central Regional Qualifier after finishing first as a team in their first-ever race last fall, now bringing their win total to four of five dating back to last season and including last year's national title.
"The Central Regional Qualifier doubled its participants in size from last year to 56 total, which is a great indicator of the growth of NCAA women's triathlon nationwide. A big thank you to North Central College for hosting."
Henry was joined in the lead pack by last year's national runner-up, senior Katie Gorczyca (1:00:27.9), and fellow freshman Kyla Roy (1:00:50.6).
Sophomore Sarah Quintero had her highest regular season collegiate finish, finishing fourth (1:02.06.1) in the field while Rebecca Naughton, Grace Obando, and Delaney Bucker rounded out the top seven.
The Sun Devils have nearly a month off to prepare for their next competition, the Western Regional Qualifier in Berkeley, Calif. on Sept. 30 followed by the Eastern Regional Qualifier on Oct. 7 in Sarasota, Fla.
"I'm very proud of this team," said head coach Cliff English. "They raced very well as a team and with great class and integrity."
With three opportunities to qualify for the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship (hosted by ASU) in November, the team wasted no time as they qualified a team for the championship by way of a first-place finish on Monday.
Not only did the Sun Devils win as a team and qualify for the national championship, the seven Sun Devil competitors finished in order, led by freshman Hannah Henry (1:00:06.4) who crossed the finish line first among the 56-competitor field.
ASU won their second straight Central Regional Qualifier after finishing first as a team in their first-ever race last fall, now bringing their win total to four of five dating back to last season and including last year's national title.
"The Central Regional Qualifier doubled its participants in size from last year to 56 total, which is a great indicator of the growth of NCAA women's triathlon nationwide. A big thank you to North Central College for hosting."
Henry was joined in the lead pack by last year's national runner-up, senior Katie Gorczyca (1:00:27.9), and fellow freshman Kyla Roy (1:00:50.6).
Sophomore Sarah Quintero had her highest regular season collegiate finish, finishing fourth (1:02.06.1) in the field while Rebecca Naughton, Grace Obando, and Delaney Bucker rounded out the top seven.
The Sun Devils have nearly a month off to prepare for their next competition, the Western Regional Qualifier in Berkeley, Calif. on Sept. 30 followed by the Eastern Regional Qualifier on Oct. 7 in Sarasota, Fla.