HUDDLESTON, Va. – In the final race before November's national championship in Tempe, two-time defending national champion Sun Devil triathlon finished first as a team at the East Regional Qualifier as five Sun Devils finished in the top seven and six in the top-10.
Audrey Ernst was the first Sun Devil to cross the finish line (3rd) as five straight finished in succession including Kira Stanley (4th), Rebecca Naughton (5th), Sarah Quintero (6th), and Catherine Giuseffi (7th). Olivia Jenks (9th) also finished in the top-10 while Kenzi Wilson finished 15th overall.
For ASU, there were several firsts on Saturday including Ernst's first collegiate triathlon, Giuseffi and Jenks' first top-10 finishes, Stanley's highest collegiate finish, and a tie for Naughton's highest collegiate finish. Stanley had the only sub-nine-minute swim of the competition and Ernst had the fastest run amongst the field.
Among Division I opponents, ASU (12 pts) finished well ahead of the second-place finisher, East Tennessee State (44 pts) as well as ahead of the top Division II finisher, Queens University of Charlotte (13 pts) with several top Sun Devils remaining in Tempe this weekend.
Arizona State now turns their attention to hosting and defending the national championship on their home turf in just two weeks, Sunday, Nov. 4. The second annual age group triathlon, Ignite the Fork, and an open water swim will also take place as part of the weekend's events (www.TheSunDevils.com/IgnitetheFork).
Audrey Ernst was the first Sun Devil to cross the finish line (3rd) as five straight finished in succession including Kira Stanley (4th), Rebecca Naughton (5th), Sarah Quintero (6th), and Catherine Giuseffi (7th). Olivia Jenks (9th) also finished in the top-10 while Kenzi Wilson finished 15th overall.
For ASU, there were several firsts on Saturday including Ernst's first collegiate triathlon, Giuseffi and Jenks' first top-10 finishes, Stanley's highest collegiate finish, and a tie for Naughton's highest collegiate finish. Stanley had the only sub-nine-minute swim of the competition and Ernst had the fastest run amongst the field.
Getting a bike course preview today here in Virginia! Tomorrow is race day! ????? #SunDevilBelieve pic.twitter.com/eIYWugZxw8
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) October 19, 2018
Among Division I opponents, ASU (12 pts) finished well ahead of the second-place finisher, East Tennessee State (44 pts) as well as ahead of the top Division II finisher, Queens University of Charlotte (13 pts) with several top Sun Devils remaining in Tempe this weekend.
It's a beautiful evening in Virginia! #ForksUp #SunDevilBelieve pic.twitter.com/Lrlwdtg8NF
— Sun Devil Triathlon (@sundeviltri) October 19, 2018
Arizona State now turns their attention to hosting and defending the national championship on their home turf in just two weeks, Sunday, Nov. 4. The second annual age group triathlon, Ignite the Fork, and an open water swim will also take place as part of the weekend's events (www.TheSunDevils.com/IgnitetheFork).