Hickory, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne Triathlon team had their most successful season in school history this past fall, finishing third at the NCAA Championships in Tempe, Arizona. The Bears had four competitors named All-Americans, all of whom were sophomores or younger. LR also had male competitor Asher Lauderdale compete in an International Triathlon in St. George, Utah.
 
The team was headlined by standout freshman and Second-Team All-American Kayla Ribbink, who placed in the top-14 in the nation at the National Championship meet. Joining her as Honorable Mention All-Americans were Chloe Telian, Andie Kuipers and Teresa Vesely.
 
The Bears' season got off to a great start as they qualified for Nationals as a team in the first event - the Pleasant Prairie National Qualifier in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. The Bears won that event as a team and had the national qualifying pressure off their backs for the rest of the regular season.
 
The team hosted its first ever home event on Sept. 18 at Lake Hickory, finishing 3rd. After strong finishes in the Newberry Aquathon and Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon in West Virginia, the Bears traveled to Tempe for the National Championship, where they ultimately finished third.

In a suspenseful national meet, the team race came down to a tie-breaker against Colorado Mesa University for the final podium spot. By rule, a tie is broken by the highest placing #4 scoring athlete. Teresa Vesely outsprinted CMU's #4 in the finishing meters to secure LR's most significant team result in the short history of the program. 
 
Head coach Bryant Howard's thoughts on the season and the future of LR Triathlon are here.