VERMILLION, S.D.—An in-state dual with Black Hills State, a pair of regional qualifier meets and the national championships make up the 2018 South Dakota triathlon schedule announced Monday by head coach Kyle Joplin.
 
"We are excited to start our first season of competition at South Dakota," said Joplin. "We are fortunate to have a pair of competitions that are close to home, especially the dual meet versus Black Hills State. We will travel to two of the three regional qualifiers and will have the opportunity to compete against other NCAA teams as the national meet returns to Tempe, Arizona, this year. I am excited about the meet returning to Tempe because I am familiar with the course and we should be well prepared going into the race!"
 
An early season cross country race at the Augustana Twilight on Aug. 31 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will prepare the triathlon team for the final stage of a triathlon race.
 
The Coyotes officially open the season with a dual against Black Hills State on Sept. 9 at the Belle Fourche Reservoir. BHSU enters its third year of sponsoring triathlon.
 
A pair of regional qualifiers are sandwiched in the middle. The West Regional Qualifier is slated for Sept. 23 in Longmont, Colorado, followed by the East Regional Qualifier in Huddleston, Virginia, on Oct. 20.
 
The 25 NCAA sponsored varsity programs will go head-to-head at the 2018 USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships held Nov. 4 in Tempe. Host Arizona State is the two-time defending national champions.
 
2018 marks the inaugural season of women's triathlon at South Dakota.