Contact: Sam Fretto, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, sjfretto@noctrl.edu

Results

SPRINGFIELD, MO. (Oct. 13, 2024)- The North Central College women's triathlon team dominated the USA Triathlon West Regional Qualifier by sweeping the podium and taking the top three Division III spots to claim the team title. The three Cardinals to earn the honor were Hailey Poe, Bethany Smeed, and Charlotte Kumler. 

Poe, the three time reigning individual national champion, was first among all Division III competitors clocking in a time of one hour, nine minutes and 58 seconds. Poe had the fastest run time of Division III with a time of 21 minutes and 14 seconds allowing her to secure first place. 

Smeed, who would take second place among Division III athletes, finished within a minute of her teammate Poe. Smeed clocked in a time of one hour, 10 minutes and 53 seconds. Smeed was able to give herself an edge on the bike as she clocked in a bike time of 35 minutes and 46 seconds. 

Kumler, the third place Division III finisher, clocked in a time of one hour, 14 minutes and 25 seconds. She set herself apart among competition with her swim time, which was a staggering 10 minutes and 58 seconds. 

Scarlett Schuth snagged a time of 1:15:23 placing fifth among Division III athletes and Keeley Mick (1:16:33) placed sixth in Division III. 

Taylin Lemke finished the race in 1:19:12 with Taylor Robinson finishing not too far behind at 1:19:36. 

Rounding it out for the Cardinals, Sydney Sprayberry (1:20:32) and Abigail Anderson (1:20:34) finished neck and neck. 

North Central scored 433 points en route to its regional qualifier victory. 

The Cardinals have nearly a month to prepare for the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Clermont, Fla., in Lake Louisa State Park. The event is set for Saturday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. (ET). 

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