Aug. 21, 2025 – The Collegiate Triathlon Coaches Association (CTCA) has announced its NCAA Division III preseason rankings, naming the North Central College three-time defending national champion women's triathlon team as the top-ranked team to launch the 2025 season. 
 
The Cardinals earned two first-place finishes in the 2024 season at the USA Triathlon West Regional Qualifier and the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship. This season, North Central will be led by returning All-American Bethany Smeed. The senior finished fourth at the 2024 national championship with one of the best running times in Division III. She is joined by sophomore Keeley Mick, who claimed a top-six finish in the national race to earn All-American honors in addition to being named the Freshman of the Year.  
 
Behind the Cardinals in the Division III top five rankings are Trine University, Central College, Willamette University, and Millikin University. No. 5 Millikin will host North Central for the Prairie State Cup later this season. 
 
North Central will debut its 2025 women's triathlon season in Fishers, Ind., on Aug. 31 at the Geist Triathlon. The event will begin at 7 a.m. (ET) at Geist Waterfront Park.