TEMPE – For the seventh consecutive season, Sun Devil Triathlon is the national champion after winning the Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships on Saturday at Tempe Town Lake North Park. Arizona State held off a talented field of challengers to keep the title in Tempe.
"I'm just proud of the team," ASU head coach Cliff English said after laughing through the emotion of winning a seventh championship. "We had a great race, but this is triathlon, and there are a lot of different variables you have to overcome. Yet, this team always rallies and is so strong. It's just amazing."
The Sun Devils had two finish on the podium and added a third in the top five, with just seconds separating the group in All-American positions. Sophomore Naomi Ruff (1:03:32) crossed the line in second place, with senior Amber Schlebusch (1:03:49) following right behind in third place. Sophomore Heidi Jurankova (1:04:06) finished in fifth.
Those results led to ASU scoring 999 points as a team to hold off Queens by 32 points. San Francisco and Denver tied for third – USF won the tiebreak – after scoring 933 points.
After leaving the water in 28th position, Ruff closed on the field by posting the fastest bike time of the day. She then went 17:51 in the run – fourth fastest – to cross the line 10 seconds behind Denver's Maira Carreau.
"Everyone is always watching us and wondering if we are going to do it again," Ruff said when asked about the pressure of going for a seventh straight title. "I feel like that only makes us stronger, and I am very happy with how things went."
Looking to defend her title, Schlebusch fell off the pace early as she exited the swim in 42nd place. She made up some time on the bike before posting the fastest run of the day at 17:29 to fight her way onto the podium.
Jurankova used the fourth-best time on the bike (34:09) and the seventh-best run (18:30) to earn All-American honors.
Freshman Zoe Mari Adam crossed the finish line in her first National Championship as the Sun Devil's fourth racer, coming in 15th place with a time of 1:05:16. Trailing closely behind, sophomore Faith Dasso (1:05:42) earned the 21st spot to cap the scoring for the Sun Devils.
Junior Camille Buchanan (1:06:20) recorded a 31st-place finish, and Sidney Clement (1:07:16) was 37th.
Adding to the three All-Americans in Ruff, Schlebusch, and Jurankova, English was named the 2023 Division I Coach of the Year.
Head Coach Cliff English
About the culture of the program that sets the standard for winning
"We are always trying to be better. That's what is amazing about the women on this team. They want to learn, and they want to be better. They don't just sit back and say we are winning this. It's always about what can I do to be better and to make this team better. But at the same time, this prepares them for so many things in life."
On winning seven consecutive championships
"It's craziness. Even for me, I think that all you have to do is look at the basics, do it well, and show up and give it everything I have. It seems super simple, but there are always a lot of challenges and stress and all that fun stuff."
On the team's depth
"We know there is some depth on this team, and you know any of them can step up and have a strong race. They all fight and bring the best out of themselves. We have a team of 12, and the five that didn't make the cut are also a big part of it. I am proud of how they support the team. It never gets easy to make those decisions, but they are all part of the team, and that's why they get that ring as well."
"I'm just proud of the team," ASU head coach Cliff English said after laughing through the emotion of winning a seventh championship. "We had a great race, but this is triathlon, and there are a lot of different variables you have to overcome. Yet, this team always rallies and is so strong. It's just amazing."
The Sun Devils had two finish on the podium and added a third in the top five, with just seconds separating the group in All-American positions. Sophomore Naomi Ruff (1:03:32) crossed the line in second place, with senior Amber Schlebusch (1:03:49) following right behind in third place. Sophomore Heidi Jurankova (1:04:06) finished in fifth.
Those results led to ASU scoring 999 points as a team to hold off Queens by 32 points. San Francisco and Denver tied for third – USF won the tiebreak – after scoring 933 points.
After leaving the water in 28th position, Ruff closed on the field by posting the fastest bike time of the day. She then went 17:51 in the run – fourth fastest – to cross the line 10 seconds behind Denver's Maira Carreau.
"Everyone is always watching us and wondering if we are going to do it again," Ruff said when asked about the pressure of going for a seventh straight title. "I feel like that only makes us stronger, and I am very happy with how things went."
Looking to defend her title, Schlebusch fell off the pace early as she exited the swim in 42nd place. She made up some time on the bike before posting the fastest run of the day at 17:29 to fight her way onto the podium.
Jurankova used the fourth-best time on the bike (34:09) and the seventh-best run (18:30) to earn All-American honors.
Freshman Zoe Mari Adam crossed the finish line in her first National Championship as the Sun Devil's fourth racer, coming in 15th place with a time of 1:05:16. Trailing closely behind, sophomore Faith Dasso (1:05:42) earned the 21st spot to cap the scoring for the Sun Devils.
Junior Camille Buchanan (1:06:20) recorded a 31st-place finish, and Sidney Clement (1:07:16) was 37th.
Adding to the three All-Americans in Ruff, Schlebusch, and Jurankova, English was named the 2023 Division I Coach of the Year.
Head Coach Cliff English
About the culture of the program that sets the standard for winning
"We are always trying to be better. That's what is amazing about the women on this team. They want to learn, and they want to be better. They don't just sit back and say we are winning this. It's always about what can I do to be better and to make this team better. But at the same time, this prepares them for so many things in life."
On winning seven consecutive championships
"It's craziness. Even for me, I think that all you have to do is look at the basics, do it well, and show up and give it everything I have. It seems super simple, but there are always a lot of challenges and stress and all that fun stuff."
On the team's depth
"We know there is some depth on this team, and you know any of them can step up and have a strong race. They all fight and bring the best out of themselves. We have a team of 12, and the five that didn't make the cut are also a big part of it. I am proud of how they support the team. It never gets easy to make those decisions, but they are all part of the team, and that's why they get that ring as well."