SPEARFISH, S.D. – For the ninth time in 11 years as a program at Black Hills State, the women's triathlon team will be set to start the season at the Southern Hills Triathlon on Saturday, August 30. A premiere event for western teams in collegiate triathlon to kick off the season, the field will consist of five nationally ranked NCAA Division I squads, including the rivals of Arizona and Arizona State who are tied for the top spot in the CTCA Preseason Top-10, and two nationally ranked NCAA Division II teams. The Yellow Jackets will begin the year as preseason No. 7 in the nation and will look to set their sights on an eighth straight top-6 finish at nationals come year end.
 
QUICK DETAILS
Date & Time: Saturday, August 30 at 7:15 a.m.
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. – Angostura Recreation Area
Super Sprint: 375-meter swim, 10-kilometer bike, and 2.5-kilometer run
 
BLACK HILLS STATE STORYLINES

• In 2024 Black Hills State recorded their seventh consecutive top-6 finish at the Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships, finishing sixth in NCAA Division II with 462 team points.
• Entering 2025, the Yellow Jackets are ranked No. 7 in the CTCA Preseason Poll.
• After a strong freshmen season that ended at the national championships, Payton Sheehan returns and looks to lead the team in 2025. At the national championships she posted a 35^th place finish in NCAA DII with a time of 1:09.44 in the sprint. In the 2024 Southern Hills Triathlon she recorded a 33^rd place finish and time of 37:05 in the lone super sprint of the year.
• The only other returning national qualifier from a year ago for the Yellow Jackets is Sydney Campbell, who has twice competed at nationals. At the national championships she finished 40^th in NCAA Division II with a time of 1:11.29 in the sprint. In the 2024 Southern Hills Triathlon she earned a 42^nd place finish with a super sprint time of 38:51.
• Scarlett Walsh competed three times in 2024 as a freshman for the Green & Gold, making appearances at the Southern Hills Triathlon, Prairie State Cup, and the West Regional Qualifier. She posted a season-best time of 1:16.52 in a sprint race at the Prairie State Cup. While making her collegiate debut at the Southern Hills Triathlon she recorded a time of 39:21 for a 43^rd place finish in the super sprint.
• Anna Austad also competed three times during the 2024 season, making appearances at the Southern Hills Triathlon, Prairie State Cup, and the West Regional Qualifier. Her season-best performance came in a 25^th place finish at the Prairie State Cup with a time of 1:16.50 in the sprint. In last year's season opener at the Southern Hills Triathlon, she notched a time of 40:49 in the super sprint for 45^th place.
• Chantel Bickler competed three times for BHSU a year ago, making appearances at the Southern Hills Triathlon, Prairie State Cup, and the West Regional Qualifier. She recorded a season best time of 1:18.13 for 31^st place in a sprint at the Prairie State Cup. In the season opener at the Southern Hills Triathlon, she notched a 47^th place finish and time of 42:12 in the super sprint.
• Black Hills State will welcome two newcomers to the program in 2025 as Hannah Longmire and Ava Elliott join as a freshman and sophomore respectively. Additionally, the Yellow Jackets welcome back to the team Lilly Brophy, who did not compete in 2024, but last competed at the 2023 Black Hills Collegiate Cup.
• Black Hills State University triathlon alumna, Katie Christy, is in her first season as head coach of the Yellow Jackets.

TEAMS COMPETING

• NCAA Division I: T-#1. Arizona, T-#1. Arizona State, #4 TCU, #5 Denver, #8 South Dakota, San Francisco
• NCAA Division II: #3 Colorado Mesa, #7 Black Hills State