SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University triathlon team will host the Women's Collegiate Triathlon West Regional Qualifier for the 2019 season. The Yellow Jackets will host one of three regional qualifying races for the season. The race will take place at Rocky Point Recreation Area at the Belle Fourche Reservoir on September 15, 2019.

"Being chosen to host the West Regional Qualifier event is an honor for BHSU and our triathlon team," said head coach Connie Feist. "It is a great opportunity to showcase draft-legal racing in the beautiful Black Hills to the teams and spectators coming from throughout the country."

The race, a draft-legal, sprint-distance course (750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run), will be one of three qualifiers for the Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships. All NCAA varsity teams must compete at one of the three races, with the top two teams from each division at each regional qualifier securing a spot at the nationals in Tempe, Arizona, in November.

The Central Regional Qualifier will be held September 1 in Pleasant Prairie, Wisc., and the East Regional Qualifier will be held October 19 in Smith Mountain Lake, Va.

The Yellow Jackets are coming off a season in which they placed third in Division II at the National Championships.

For more information or to volunteer at the West Region Qualifier, please contact Connie Feist at 701-240-1485. 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.