SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University triathlon team is set to compete in the NCAA East Region Qualifier in Sarasota, Florida, on October 7, at 5 p.m.

Because of water quality at the venue, the scheduled triathlon will now be raced as a duathlon. Instead of a swim-bike-run format, the competition will be a run-bike-run format.

The race, with athletes from all three collegiate divisions, is a chance to qualify for the National Championships which will be held in November in Arizona.

Mathilde Bernard will look to lead the Yellow Jackets. The freshman has been the top Yellow Jacket finisher for both of BHSU's triathlons this year. She finished in first overall at the Southern Hills Triathlon, and was the second female finisher at the Littlefoot Triathlon, the last time out for the team.

Also competing for the Green and Gold are Katie Christy, Kaylee Lamb, Taylor Ihmels, and Cayley Schmitt. The team is well prepared for the race, and look forward to see how they stack up with other Division II programs. The change of format will help the student-athletes learn to be flexible, and adjust mentally.
  Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.