SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University triathlon team is set to compete at the Women's Collegiate Triathlon Championship on Sunday, November 5. The race, held in Tempe, Arizona, will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The race features a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, and 5-kilometer run. Awards will be given to the top five overall teams, the top-placing Division I, Division II, and Division III teams, and the top-placing Division I, Division II, and Division III individuals.

Teams and individuals qualified for the championship through three Regional Qualifier Races earlier in the year. The Yellow Jackets traveled to the East Region Qualifier, where all five racers qualified, and the team finished second in Division II.

Mathilde Bernard will look to lead the Yellow Jackets. The freshman has been the top Yellow Jacket finisher for all four triathlons BHSU has competed in this year. At the Regional Qualifier, Bernard was the second Division II individual, and seventh individual overall. She was named the All-Region Freshman Athlete, and also was named to the All-Region Team. Joining Bernard on the All-Region Team was Kaylee Lamb, who finished the race in 1:16.50.

Also competing for the Green and Gold are Katie Christy, Cayley Schmitt, and Taylor Ihmels. All five Yellow Jackets finished in the top 15 of Division II at the East Region Qualifier last month.

The University of West Alabama was the top Division II team at the 2016 Nationals. Black Hills State was 10th overall. Christy is the only Yellow Jacket who competed at the Championship last year.
  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.