Fierce Competition and Record-Breaking Performances Define 2025 Women's Collegiate Triathlon Championships
Over 150 of the nation's top collegiate women triathletes gathered at Tempe Town Lake for the 2025 NCAA Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships. With perfect racing conditions and the stunning Arizona backdrop, athletes delivered performances that showcased why women's collegiate triathlon is rapidly advancing toward becoming a fully recognized NCAA Championship sport.
The 2025 nationals highlighted the exceptional depth of talent emerging at the collegiate level. Defending champions retained their crowns while others staged dramatic comebacks. From Arizona's dominant defense in Division I to North Central's continued dynasty in Division III, the championships provided a compelling glimpse into the future of collegiate multisport competition.
Championship Overview: Sprint Distance Excellence at Tempe Town Lake
The national championship featured a challenging yet fast draft-legal sprint distance course consisting of a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, and 5-kilometer run. This format aligns perfectly with elite international competition, including the Olympic Games, giving collegiate athletes valuable experience in the racing style that defines the sport's highest levels.
More than 150 varsity athletes from across the country competed across three divisions, representing approximately 40 schools that now offer women's triathlon at the varsity level. This participation number reflects the continued growth of the sport since receiving NCAA Emerging Sport designation in 2014.
The draft-legal format creates an exciting, tactical racing environment where athletes can work together during the bike portion, leading to closer finishes and more strategic competition than traditional age-group triathlon racing.
Division I Results: Arizona's Dominant Defense
Team Champion: University of Arizona (927 points)
The University of Arizona successfully defended its 2024 national title with a commanding performance that placed an impressive five Wildcats in the top 10. This depth of talent demonstrates the program's continued excellence under head coach and the recruiting success that has made Arizona a powerhouse in collegiate triathlon.
Kelly Wetteland led Arizona's charge, claiming the individual national title with a time of 1:02:09 and improving on her runner-up finish from 2024. Her victory came by a comfortable 10-second margin over teammate Margareta Vrablova, who clocked 1:02:19 for second place.
"Having Kelly and Margareta finish one-two really set the tone for our team," said an Arizona representative. "But it was our depth that won us the championship - getting five athletes in the top 10 shows the strength of our entire program."
Arizona's dominance continued with Ellison Wolfe (7th, 1:03:33), Mia Wentzy (8th), and Ruth Pardy (10th) all contributing crucial points. This collective performance gave Arizona a 27-point victory margin over second-place Arizona State.
Runner-up Arizona State University (900 points) put together their own impressive showing with top-10 finishes from Sidney Clement (5th, 1:03:20), Alexandra Campbell (6th, 1:03:28), and Naomi Ruff (9th). The Sun Devils' strong performance demonstrates the rising competitiveness of Division I collegiate triathlon.
Texas Christian University rounded out the Division I podium in third place with 843 points, led by Amando Moro's 13th-place finish.
Notably, Queens University of Charlotte's Beth Cook claimed the final individual podium spot with a time of 1:02:38, showing that competitive excellence extends beyond the team champions.
Division II Results: Lenoir-Rhyne's Thrilling Comeback
Team Champion: Lenoir-Rhyne University (762 points)
In perhaps the most dramatic finish of the championships, Lenoir-Rhyne University reclaimed the Division II national championship with a nail-biting 4-point victory over defending champion Wingate University. This marked the Bears' second team title in three years, following their runner-up finish in 2024.
The individual race showcased Lenoir-Rhyne's depth perfectly, with Zoila Sicilia capturing the individual title in 1:03:59, followed immediately by teammate Sabrina Fleig in second place at 1:04:26. This one-two punch provided the foundation for the team's championship success.
Wingate University (758 points) mounted a strong defense of their 2024 title, led by freshman sensation Shelby Lajeunesse, who claimed third place individually with a time of 1:05:28. The Bulldogs' strong showing, despite falling just short of repeating as champions, demonstrates the competitive balance that makes Division II so compelling.
Additional scoring for Wingate came from Vanda Krizkova (5th, 1:06:06) and Pia Diemer (6th, 1:06:17), showing the program's continued depth and ability to develop elite-level athletes.
Drury University earned the final team podium position with 650 points, highlighted by Alexis Workman's impressive 7th-place individual finish in 1:06:34.
The tight margin of victory in Division II reflects the growing competitive depth across the division and suggests future championships will continue to be closely contested affairs.
Division III Results: North Central's Dynasty Continues
Team Champion: North Central College (450 points)
North Central College extended its remarkable dominance in Division III, capturing a fourth consecutive team title and their sixth championship overall in program history. The Cardinals' sustained excellence represents one of the most impressive dynasties in collegiate triathlon.
The individual competition perfectly illustrated North Central's strength, with Bethany Smeed claiming the championship in 1:10:13, followed closely by teammate Keely Mick in second place at 1:10:30. This one-two finish has become a trademark of North Central's championship runs.
"Our program's success comes from our commitment to development and team culture," noted a North Central representative. "We focus on building complete athletes who can excel in the unique demands of draft-legal racing."
Trine University secured second place in the team standings with 392 points, powered by Grace Huisman's third-place individual finish (1:11:22) and supported by Mia Griesmeyer's strong 4th-place showing (1:13:35) and Lia Bartholomew's 6th-place result (1:14:49).
Central College rounded out the Division III team podium with 272 points, earning strong individual performances from Luci Laidlaw (5th, 1:14:22) and Addie Koritz (7th, 1:15:05).
North Central's continued success raises questions about what makes their program so consistently excellent and whether other Division III programs can develop the depth necessary to challenge their supremacy.
The Growing Landscape of NCAA Women's Triathlon
The 2025 championships occurred against the backdrop of continued expansion for women's collegiate triathlon. With approximately 40 schools now offering the sport at the varsity level, the growth trajectory since the 2014 NCAA Emerging Sport designation has been remarkable.
This expansion reflects several key factors:
- Olympic Alignment: The draft-legal format used in collegiate competition mirrors exactly what athletes see at the Olympic Games, providing a clear development pathway for elite athletes.
- Title IX Compliance: As schools seek to balance their athletic offerings and provide opportunities for female student-athletes, triathlon offers an attractive option that doesn't require massive facility investments.
- Growing Participation: The broader growth of triathlon participation nationwide creates a larger pool of potential recruits for collegiate programs.
- Scholarship Opportunities: As programs mature, scholarship offerings continue to expand, attracting higher-level talent.
The path toward full NCAA Championship Sport recognition requires a minimum number of schools offering the sport across multiple divisions. Current growth trends suggest this milestone could be achieved within the next several years, which would bring increased visibility, standardized regulations, and potentially expanded scholarship opportunities.
Looking Toward the Future
The 2025 championships demonstrated that women's collegiate triathlon has reached a new level of competitive maturity. The depth of talent across all three divisions, combined with the tactical sophistication displayed in the draft-legal racing format, suggests the sport is producing athletes who can compete successfully at national and international levels.
For prospective student-athletes interested in collegiate triathlon, the championships showcase programs that offer serious competitive opportunities combined with academic excellence. The sport's growth trajectory suggests expanded opportunities for participation and scholarships in the coming years.
Race directors and coaches from the championships emphasized the importance of continued program development and the role of events like these in elevating the profile of collegiate triathlon nationwide. Athletes looking to improve their performance can benefit from structured training programs that focus on all three disciplines.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Competitive depth is increasing across all divisions, with multiple programs capable of challenging for titles.
- The draft-legal format creates exciting, tactical racing that develops skills transferable to elite competition.
- Program growth continues steadily, with new schools adding triathlon regularly.
- Individual athlete development is reaching new heights, as evidenced by faster winning times and deeper fields.
For those interested in getting involved with collegiate triathlon, Triathlon.mx and national governing organizations offer comprehensive resources for prospective student-athletes, coaches, and administrators looking to develop programs.
Athletes preparing for collegiate competition should invest in quality training gear. Essential equipment includes high-quality swim goggles with UV protection for pool and open water training, and a GPS running watch to track training metrics and progress. Additionally, proper electrolyte supplementation is crucial for maintaining performance during intense training blocks.
The 2026 championships will likely see continued growth in participation and further increases in competitive depth, making next year's event another must-watch chapter in the evolution of NCAA women's triathlon.
For complete results and additional championship coverage, visit the official USA Triathlon collegiate triathlon resource hub: https://www.usatriathlon.org/multisport/ncaa-triathlon
