TEMPE, Ariz. – This year's USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship was more familiar in year two for the Sun Devils in more ways than one.
It was ASU's second national championship race as a team, hosted in their own backyard in and around Tempe Town Lake.
A podium sweep for the Sun Devils, led by individual national champion Hannah Henry and followed by Charlotte Ahrens and Kyla Roy, ensured ASU's second national championship in as many years as a team.
"It's awesome that we all finished top-three and that our whole team did so well," said Henry. "This sport is so new at the collegiate level, and it's great that we were able to finish strong and have this much support."
Georgia's Emily Cameron was the first competitor to exit the water, while Henry, Ahrens, Roy, and Queens University of Charlotte's Anabel Knoll were part of a chase pack behind her, eventually overtaking Cameron on the second bike lap.
"I felt great the whole race," said Ahrens. "I don't know where I got the energy, but it must have been all the support from my family and friends that came to cheer us on today. I'm so proud of my coaches, Cliff English and Erin Densham, for what they've been able to do the past few years."
The four-member (three Sun Devil) lead pack going into the run led the remainder of the field by a minute and a half-plus and Henry would pull away for the individual victory on the run. Teammate Ahrens crossed the finish line just 22 seconds later, followed by Roy 44 seconds after Ahrens.
Sarah Quintero (8th), Rebecca Naughton (11th), Grace Obando (12th), and Delaney Bucker (21st) finished out the Sun Devils' competing seven.
Finishing placements of top three finishers on each team determined team finishes, similar to cross-country scoring. 11 varsity teams and 10 club teams were represented by a total 81 athletes.
Earlier in the day, alum Amy Darlington (4th), and current team members Lillie Robinson, Kendal Williams, and Catherine Giuseffi competed in the inaugural Ignite the Fork age group triathlon.
The Sun Devils close their second season as a team on an equally high note and will return all seven national championship competitors in 2018.
Overall Team
It was ASU's second national championship race as a team, hosted in their own backyard in and around Tempe Town Lake.
A podium sweep for the Sun Devils, led by individual national champion Hannah Henry and followed by Charlotte Ahrens and Kyla Roy, ensured ASU's second national championship in as many years as a team.
WE ARE THE (2X) CHAMPIONS ?? pic.twitter.com/heILltF4Xj
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) November 5, 2017
"It's awesome that we all finished top-three and that our whole team did so well," said Henry. "This sport is so new at the collegiate level, and it's great that we were able to finish strong and have this much support."
Hannah Henry. National Champion. ?? pic.twitter.com/SzllCappNc
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) November 5, 2017
Georgia's Emily Cameron was the first competitor to exit the water, while Henry, Ahrens, Roy, and Queens University of Charlotte's Anabel Knoll were part of a chase pack behind her, eventually overtaking Cameron on the second bike lap.
3...2...1...?? pic.twitter.com/7hDVnA6lfc
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) November 5, 2017
"I felt great the whole race," said Ahrens. "I don't know where I got the energy, but it must have been all the support from my family and friends that came to cheer us on today. I'm so proud of my coaches, Cliff English and Erin Densham, for what they've been able to do the past few years."
The four-member (three Sun Devil) lead pack going into the run led the remainder of the field by a minute and a half-plus and Henry would pull away for the individual victory on the run. Teammate Ahrens crossed the finish line just 22 seconds later, followed by Roy 44 seconds after Ahrens.
Sarah Quintero (8th), Rebecca Naughton (11th), Grace Obando (12th), and Delaney Bucker (21st) finished out the Sun Devils' competing seven.
Finishing placements of top three finishers on each team determined team finishes, similar to cross-country scoring. 11 varsity teams and 10 club teams were represented by a total 81 athletes.
Earlier in the day, alum Amy Darlington (4th), and current team members Lillie Robinson, Kendal Williams, and Catherine Giuseffi competed in the inaugural Ignite the Fork age group triathlon.
Alum @ohmydarlington as well as current team members @catgiuseffi, Lillie, and @krayew will compete in this morning's age group race! pic.twitter.com/WxysDMmZ1R
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) November 5, 2017
The Sun Devils close their second season as a team on an equally high note and will return all seven national championship competitors in 2018.
Overall Team
- Arizona State (6 points)
- Queens University of Charlotte (club program) (17 points)
- Cal (club program) (39 points)
- Colorado (club program) (48 points)
- North Central College (86 points)
- Hannah Henry (ASU) – 1:03.34
- Charlotte Ahrens (ASU) – 1:03.56
- Kyla Roy (ASU) – 1:04.40
- Anabel Knoll (Queens/club program) – 1:04.47
- Kaitlyn Kramer (NC State/club program) – 1:05.01