TEMPE, Ariz. – Black Hills State triathlon team placed fifth out of 12 Division II teams in the NCAA Collegiate National Championships on Saturday.

"We had a day of great performances and unexpected adversity," said Head Coach Connie Feist. "Five athletes are needed to score a full team and after three of our front racers were involved in a bike crash that took them all down together and wrecked all three of their bikes. Sydney Gasper somehow found it within herself to get up and ride the remainder of the bike race with her rear brakes engaged and handlebars bent. Following that, she ran the 5K while bloodied and bruised and raced to become our fourth-place finisher."

The first Yellow Jacket to cross the finish line was freshman Emily Gilbert in 19^th place with a time of 1:09:58. She was followed by senior Hannah Hirschi in 26^th place (1:13:53), sophomore Natalie Moose in 29^th place (1:15:06), sophomore Sydney Gasper in 31^st place (1:16:26) and freshman Jadyn Johnson in 33^rd place (1:17:02).

Senior Myna Buckley and junior Lilja McKendry were involved in the multi-bike crash during the race and were unable to finish.

"We couldn't be more proud of how each of our team members performed and showed how tough and talented the BHSU Tri ladies are," Feist added.

Up Next
The team will be taking a recovery break now until Spring semester where they set their sights on the March 4-5 Clermont, Fla. Draft Legal Challenge and finishing their season hosting the Black Hills Tri Fest in April.