BERKLEY, Calif. – The Black Hills State University women's triathlon team has qualified for the Women's Collegiate Championship held in New Orleans after its successes at the West Region Championship Saturday in Berkley, California.

Kate Griffin led the way for the Yellow Jackets with  14^th place finish and a time of 1:19.35. Following Griffin was Sage Riss in 18^th and Krista Steinbeisser in 20^th.

Griffin was able to move up three positions in the final portion of the race, during her 5K run.

The race, a draft legal race, was run under the same rules that has been adopted by USA Triathlon including the lap-out rule.

"Overall a great race day," head coach Amber Schwab said. "The biking was great with drafting successes with Kate and Sage and a competitor from the University of California. Kate picked off three women in the run while Sage looked strong throughout. Krista finished in her first (lap-out) race holding off the Arizona State leader in the bike."

Riss clocked in at 1:23.4 while Steinbeisser owned a time of 1:25.5.

Times of the swim, bike and run individually were not immediately available. 

Black Hills State competes at the Pwell3 Triathlon Challenge in Glen Canyon National Park on October 22 before competing at the Women's Collegiate Triathlon Championship on November 5.