Erika Ackerlund of the University of Montana edged Katie Gorcyzca of Arizona State by 12 seconds and 3rd place finisher Jocelyn Bonney of Queens University of Charlotte by 58 seconds to win the Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championship in New Orleans.
Ackerlund combined a 5th-best 9:51 split for the announced 400-meter swim, a race-best 31:42 split for the 20 kilometer bike leg, and a 3rd-fastest 18:38 split for the 5 kilometer run to finish in 1:01:27. Except for the swim, which was shortened due to windy conditions, this was a sprint distance triathlon – the length proposed for use at the collegiate level once triathlon is granted NCAA status.
This was Ackerlund's third collegiate national podium finish of the year as she placed 2nd at the draft-legal race and 3rd in the non-drafting category at the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club Nationals in April.
“The swim was choppy for sure,” Ackerlund told USA Triathlon media. “I was just hoping to get through that. [On the bike], we had a good pack of four at the front, working well together. Then we got off and my legs just felt good - better than they’ve felt before.”
Gorczyca exited the water second in 9:38, stayed with the lead group on her way to a 2nd-best 32:02 bike split, and closed with a 5th-best 18:52 run. After a 10:27 swim, Bonney rode with the chase group to a 32:59 bike split, then closed hard with a race-best 17:48 run to finish 46 seconds behind Gorcyzca and 50 seconds ahead of Tereza Zimovjanova of Queens College of Charlotte.
“I’m so excited that it’s draft legal in the NCAA,” Gorczyca told USA Triathlon media. “It’s the format of ITU races, and it’s good to get girls acclimated to this kind of experience. I think a lot of schools are going to jump on board next year, and I’m really excited to see what unfolds.”
Runner-up Gorczyca, 5th-place Amy Darlington and 7th place Charlotte Ahrens helped Arizona State to the team title with 10 points. Last year's team champion Queens finished 2nd with 13 points, thanks to performances by Bonney (3rd), Tereza Zimovjanova (4th) and Caroline Condon (12th). UC Berkeley finished third with 28 points, led by Anna Belk (10th), Stephanie Scannell (16th) and Eleanor Wiseman (17th).
“The first time I raced, I was a junior in high school,” said Bonney. “I wanted to run college cross country, but that really turned me on to triathlon in college instead. Since then, it’s just exploded. Every year you see more teams competing.”
In the second year of this event, 12 schools fielded three or more triathletes and eight of those schools have established varsity training programs.
Arizona State has taken the lead in this effort to establish full-fledged varsity NCAA women's programs by hiring internationally renowned head coach Cliff English and three-time Australian Olympic triathlete and 2012 Olympic bronze medal winner Erin Densham as assistant coach.
Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championship
New Orleans, Louisiana
November 5, 2016
S 400m / B 20k / R 5k
Results
Individual Overall
1. Erika Ackerlund (University of Montana) 1:01:27
2. Katie Gorczyca (Arizona State University) 1:01:39
3. Jocelyn Bonney (Queens University of Charlotte) 1:02:25
4. Tereza Zimovjanova (Queens University of Charlotte) 1:03:15
5. Amy Darlington (Arizona State University) 1:03:21
6. Megan Merryman (Liberty University) 1:03:40
7. Charlotte Ahrens (Arizona State University) 1:04:06
8. Melissa Teeple (Ferrum College) 1:04:17
9. Sarah Quintero (Arizona State University) 1:04:47
10. Anna Belk (UC Berkeley) 1:04:54
Team Overall
1. Arizona State University 10 points
2. Queens University of Charlotte 13 points
3. UC Berkeley 28 points
4. Texas A&M 54 points
5. East Tennessee State University 55 points
NCAA Division Winners
Division I - Arizona State University
Division II – University of West Alabama
Division III – North Central College
