On Saturday, the ETSU triathlon team competed in the East Regional Qualifier in Buford, Georgia. The team was up against seven other teams, with more than 115 athletes in attendance from all three NCAA divisions. The meet was not only the team’s first postseason competition but also the way athletes qualify for the National Championship on Nov. 8.
A triathlon consists of three endurance disciplines in a strict order: swimming, cycling and then running. Per NCAA rules, the race includes 750 meters of swimming, 20 kilometers of road cycling and a 5-kilometer run. Athletes are responsible for their own equipment, both setting it up before the triathlon begins and transitioning into the next discipline. For the East Regional Qualifier, the top 20 finishers automatically qualify for the A wave at the National Championship, while the other finishers must wait for the West Regional Qualifier to see their placements in additional waves.
The first Buccaneer to cross the finish line was senior Taylor Walker, who placed 12th with a final time of 1:05:33.55. Walker had the fourth-fastest run split of the competition, at 18:41.
The next two ETSU finishers came one right after the other: junior Andie Psilopoulos placed 18th and sophomore Ninon Lapierre placed 19th. Psilopoulos finished with a final time of 1:06:16.74 and had the fastest swim split of all the Buccaneers, at 10:05. Lapierre clocked a final time of 1:06:58.57 and the fastest bike split of the Buccaneers, at 32:40. These three ETSU athletes earned an automatic spot in the A wave at the National Championship in Arizona on Nov. 8.
The next Buccaneer to cross the finish line was freshman Rapha Lima, who placed 31st with a final time of 1:08:21.12. Following close behind was junior Mia Remorca, who placed 35th with a final time of 1:09:09.96. Freshman Olivia Halfpap was the next Buccaneer to finish, placing 40th with a time of 1:09:57.51. The last Buccaneer to cross the finish line was junior Emily Jenkins, who placed 54th with a time of 1:12:05.77. These four athletes must wait until the West Regional Qualifier concludes to learn which wave they will be in for the National Championship.
For more information on the ETSU triathlon team, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the triathlon tab.
