Contact: Rachel Balinao, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant, rabalinao@noctrl.edu 

Results

CLINTON, Ill. (Oct. 3, 2026) - Led by freshman Ava Talabock's Division III victory, the North Central College women's triathlon team captured the Division III team title and finished second overall across all NCAA divisions at the Prairie State Cup.

Hosted by Clinton Community YMCA, the Prairie State Cup featured a 750-meter swim, 12-mile bike and 3.2-mile run.

Tabalock crossed the finish line fourth overall in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 37.481 seconds, posting splits of 12:35 in the swim, 31:10 on the bike and 20:20 in the run.

Keeley Mick followed in sixth overall and second among Division III competitors, finishing in 1 hour, five minutes, and 15.913 seconds. Mick recorded the Cardinals' fastest swim split at 12:10 before completing the bike in 31:40 and the run in 20:56.

Emily Coonce rounded out North Central's podium finishers, placing 12th overall and third among Division III competitors. Coonce finished in 1 hour, seven minutes, and 52.121 seconds with splits of 13:32 in the swim, 32:34 on the bike and 21:03 in the run.

The Cardinals continued to pack the field as Taylor Robinson, Jordan Haupt and Olivia Durbin crossed the finish line within 51 seconds of one another. Robinson placed 18th overall and fifth among Division III competitors in 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 27.582 seconds, followed by Haupt in 19th at 1 hour, nine minutes, and 57.788 seconds and Durbin in 20th at 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 18.277 seconds.

Sydney Sprayberry and Lucy Oetker also secured top-10 Division III finishes. Sprayberry placed 24th overall and ninth among Division III competitors in 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 4.444 seconds, while Oetker finished 25th overall and 10th in 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 12.272 seconds.

North Central placed second overall with 281 points, behind Drury University (300) and ahead of the University of Indianapolis (249). The Cardinals claimed the Division III team title, finishing ahead of Trine University (207), Central College (162), Concordia University Wisconsin (118) and Coe College (64).

The road to five straight west regional titles continues Oct. 18, as the Cardinals head to Fort Worth, Texas, for the USA Triathlon West Regional Qualifier.