(Photo: Brady Klain/WCSN)
The Arizona State Women’s Triathlon team wrapped up their season Saturday. They won the Women’s USA Triathlon National Championship for the fourth time in a row. The Sun Devils also placed two of their competitors on the podium for the top three overall.
Sun Devil Junior Kyla Roy took the national title with a time of 1:05:22.
“I am super happy and excited” Roy, “it took me much training with my team and all of us pushing each other hard.”
Roy was not the only one on the sun devil team to place. Sophomore Audrey Ernst finished 30 seconds behind Roy, placing second with a time of 1:05:52
“I am feeling very blessed,” Ernst said happily “in a triathlon, anything can happen going through the race. I am happy to have it all come together” Coming in third place was Leah Drengenberg from the University of South Dakota, with a time of 1:07:21.
Rebecca Naughton finished fifth with a 1:08:02; freshman Liberty Ricca finished sixth with a 1:08:17, and Kira Stanley finished the race with a 1:10:45.
“I was very anxious about today,” junior Rebecca Naughton said “There were some parts of the race where I executed perfectly. There are different obstacles during every race, but once you get on that start line, you go for it.”
Head coach Cliff English creates the tone for his ladies to focus not only on their individual time but the whole team’s overall performance. English says that it may be new for some of the girls to compete as a team, but he believes that the girls enjoy that competitive atmosphere. English also trains the girls by reminding them that consistency in their workouts and lifestyles is the key to being successful in meets. Consistency is what made these ladies come out with a national win.
Arizona State Wins the National Championship Title with a score of 8 points. The University of South Dakota finished the race with 18 points taking second place. Eastern Tennessee State University finished the race in third place overall with 29 points.
Not only did the ladies defended their national title and placed two girls in the top three individually, they also have a freshman who was recognized for her hard work this season. Ricca was awarded freshman of the year for division 1.
Although the triathlon team has been added to Sun Devil Athletics within the last five years, the ladies have built a dynasty in Tempe. They are making history and blazing a trail for a sport on the rise nationwide.
The Arizona State Women’s Triathlon team will be back in action this spring.
