Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Triathlon Takes Third Overall, Wins DII Championship at Beaver County Tri Cup

Three national championships. Nine athletes competing. One dominant Division II performance that proves the TriBears are built for bigger stages.

On September 19, 2026, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, the Lenoir-Rhyne women's triathlon team showcased exactly the performance that champions are known for. Out of 13 teams spanning various NCAA divisions, the TriBears not only secured third place overall, but they also swept the Division II category.

For a program boasting three national championships in just four years, this success isn't merely a fluke — it serves as a signal that these Bears are on their way to establishing a legacy.

With the inaugural Conference Carolinas Championships rapidly approaching on October 4 in Wingate, North Carolina, the timing of their Beaver County results couldn't be better.

Sweeping the DII Competition: What the Numbers Tell Us

When a team places five athletes in the top 15 finishers of a multi-division event, the term "depth" falls short. We're looking at dominance.

Lenoir-Rhyne didn't just win the Division II category at the Beaver County Tri Cup — they controlled it from start to finish. In team triathlon scoring, success hinges on the collective placement of multiple athletes, not just one standout. On this course in western Pennsylvania, the TriBears delivered performances that spoke volumes.

Here's a snapshot of how the Bears fared:

Place (Overall)	Athlete	Time
6th	Isis Gaskin	1:04:24.26
10th	Agathe Claude	1:04:46.56
15th	Alessandra Maso	1:05:26.46
16th	Zoila Sicilia	1:05:27.26
31st	Emilia Dabadie	1:07:26.76
34th	Mariana Quiroga Giraldo	1:08:01.46
38th	Eva Cronin	1:08:42.76
41st	Emma Leary	1:09:15.46
76th	Kaitlyn Kirkland	1:21:43.98

From nine competitors, five placed in the top 15, with only a three-minute gap between the top four scorers. This level of consistency distinguishes contenders from true champions.

Five athletes in the top 15. A three-minute spread across the scoring four. That's not a good day — that's a program firing on every cylinder.

Spotlight: The Athletes Who Made It Happen

Isis Gaskin — Leading the Bears and All of DII

Isis Gaskin, a junior, finished with a time of 1:04:24.26, earning sixth overall in a field that included Division I competitors. More importantly, she stood out as the fastest Division II athlete on the course — an impressive indicator of her potential as the team heads into conference play.

Gaskin's race was methodical, steady, and commanding. As a junior with eligibility remaining, she's a force that the other Conference Carolinas teams will have to reckon with. Her performance exemplifies the kind of training discipline and race execution that separates elite collegiate athletes.

Agathe Claude — The Sophomore Making Noise

Just 22 seconds behind Gaskin, sophomore Agathe Claude clinched 10th overall with a time of 1:04:46.56. This narrow time difference showcases how a second-year athlete can closely rival her team's top performer — something every coach dreams of.

Claude's emergence means that Lenoir-Rhyne has a powerful one-two punch that can take on any Division II team. Her rapid development is a testament to the program's structured training approach.

Alessandra Maso — The Dependable Third Score

Alessandra Maso, a junior, added her contribution with a 1:05:26.46, securing 15th overall. In team triathlon, having three athletes so closely aligned in the results is invaluable — it ensures the team score is supported by strong performance, not reliant on outliers.

Zoila Sicilia — National Champion, Team-First Mentality

The story takes an intriguing turn here. Zoila Sicilia, the reigning national individual champion, came in 16th overall with a time of 1:05:27.26, just one second behind Maso. Her focus that day wasn't on her personal ranking — she played a pivotal role as a pacer for her teammates throughout the race.

Consider the significance of that decision: the best collegiate triathlete in the country chose to prioritize her team's success over her own placement. In a sport often perceived as individually competitive, this reflects a culture that separates great programs from merely good ones.

Pacing in team triathlon is a strategic advantage. An experienced athlete can guide teammates through each segment — helping regulate effort, establish run tempos, and alleviate the mental strain of competition. When that pace-setter is a national champion, the impact multiplies. Sicilia's selflessness exemplifies why Lenoir-Rhyne wins championships. It's more than talent; it's a winning culture.

The best collegiate triathlete in the country chose to pace her teammates instead of chasing a personal result. That's the definition of championship culture.

Emilia Dabadie — A Freshman Who Can Score

Emilia Dabadie, a freshman, completed the scoring roster with a time of 1:07:26.76, placing 31st overall. This marks a promising debut for a first-year collegiate athlete in a competitive field. It also signals that the TriBears have a solid development pipeline, with newcomers stepping up to produce immediate results.

What Three National Championships in Four Years Actually Means

Winning a national championship in collegiate triathlon means outpacing every other program in the country on race day. Achieving this three times in four years implies that Lenoir-Rhyne has a system that can reload, adapt, and perform under pressure consistently. It's not luck — it's a formula for sustained success.

Here are some recent accolades of the program:

• 3 national championships in 4 years (most recently, November 2025)
• Zoila Sicilia named individual national champion (2025)
• Five Bears named CTCA All-Americans (November 2025)
• Six athletes named CTCA Scholar All-Americans (February 2026)
• Ranked second in the inaugural Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches Poll (August 2026)

That last point is particularly interesting. Despite their championship successes, Lenoir-Rhyne was picked second — not first — in the preseason poll. Whether this becomes a motivating factor or simply reflects strong conference competition, the TriBears have already answered with a dominant showing at Beaver County.

The Inaugural Conference Carolinas Championship: What's at Stake

On Sunday, October 4, 2026, the TriBears head to Wingate, North Carolina for history: the very first Conference Carolinas Championship in women's triathlon.

The competing programs include:

• Wingate
• Lenoir-Rhyne
• Emmanuel
• Newberry
• Concord
• King
• Barton

This inaugural edition will set the stage for an annual conference championship — with the winner making history. For a program with Lenoir-Rhyne's pedigree, finishing below first would feel like a letdown.

The formula is straightforward: five athletes in the top 15 at Beaver County against a mixed field show that Lenoir-Rhyne possesses both individual talent and team depth to face any challenge Conference Carolinas presents. The weeks between Beaver County and Wingate will be crucial — time to recuperate, refine, and peak when it counts the most.

Depth Is the Real Story: Nine Athletes, One Identity

While it's easy to celebrate Gaskin and Sicilia, a broader perspective reveals an even richer narrative. Nine athletes raced for Lenoir-Rhyne at Beaver County. Each contributed to the team's success. When a collegiate triathlon program fields nine competitors and walks away as DII champions, the coaching staff has clearly cultivated a culture in which everyone can thrive, compete, and elevate each other.

• Seniors: Sicilia (leadership, experience, pacing expertise)
• Juniors: Gaskin, Maso, Cronin, Kirkland (core group with valuable race experience)
• Sophomores: Claude, Quiroga Giraldo (emerging talents)
• Freshmen: Dabadie, Leary (developing the next generation, already contributing)

This isn't a team that will crumble when Sicilia graduates. It's a program with a plan, with new talent already delivering impressive performances across every class year.

Why This Performance Matters Beyond the Scoreboard

For fans of triathlon — especially those who follow collegiate multisport closely — what's unfolding at Lenoir-Rhyne is noteworthy for several reasons.

First, it showcases how a Division II program can genuinely compete with and outpace Division I teams when the foundation is solid. Finishing third overall against 13 teams spanning multiple divisions isn't a DII result — it's a demonstration of a top-level program.

Second, the team dynamics witnessed at Beaver County, particularly Sicilia's pacing role, underline how triathlon's team format rewards strategic thinking over individual stamina alone. Lenoir-Rhyne's approach serves as a masterclass in collective race execution.

Third, for anyone contemplating collegiate triathlon — whether as a potential athlete, a parent, or a sport enthusiast — this program represents sustainable excellence. It isn't reliant on a single remarkable talent. It thrives on depth, growth, culture, and a coaching staff that maximizes both individual potential and collective performance.

Full Results: Beaver County Tri Cup

Overall Place	Athlete	Year	Time
6th	Isis Gaskin	Junior	1:04:24.26
10th	Agathe Claude	Sophomore	1:04:46.56
15th	Alessandra Maso	Junior	1:05:26.46
16th	Zoila Sicilia	Senior	1:05:27.26
31st	Emilia Dabadie	Freshman	1:07:26.76
34th	Mariana Quiroga Giraldo	Sophomore	1:08:01.46
38th	Eva Cronin	Junior	1:08:42.76
41st	Emma Leary	Junior	1:09:15.46
76th	Kaitlyn Kirkland	Senior	1:21:43.98

Source: lrbears.com — Lenoir-Rhyne TriBears Official Athletics