HICKORY, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne women's triathlon program has been picked to finish second in the inaugural Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches Poll.

Zoila Sicila, Isis Gaskin, and Alessandra Maso were named Players to Watch.

Sicilia returns after winning last year's individual national championship. The former Division II Freshman of the Year didn't lose a race to Division II competition last season. Gaskin, a junior, is a 2x CTCA All-America Second Team honoree, taking 10th in last year's national championship. Maso, a junior from Italy, competed in three events last season and was an alternate on last year's national championship team. Despite losing key contributors in Sabrina Fleig and Claudia Teran-Romagosa, the Bears return Alex Linden, Agathe Claude, and Ana Brown, each of whom was part of last year's national championship team.

The Bears have become a powerhouse in Division II Triathlon, winning three of the last four national titles. For her contributions to the sport of triathlon and the Bears, head coach Harley Nunan was taken home four consecutive national coach of the year awards.

The TriBears open their season on Friday, September 4th, when they head to Johnson City, Tennesee, to take part in ETSU's Buc Cup. 

2026 CONFERENCE CAROLINAS TRIATHLON PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Wingate - 34 points (4 first-place votes)
2. Lenoir-Rhyne - 31 points (2 first-place votes)
3. Emmanuel - 26 points
4. Newberry - 18 points
5. Concord - 16 points
6. King - 13 points
7. Barton - 9 points