The Meet

South Dakota women's triathlon is slated to race at the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Qualifier near Huddleston, Virginia, on Saturday at 11 a.m. CDT.
 

The Coyotes

South Dakota looks to qualify for the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships this weekend. The Coyotes did not send a full squad to the first regional qualifier in Wisconsin earlier this season, making Saturday their first opportunity to punch a ticket. Headlining the way at the season opener was freshman Micah Poellet in eighth with third-year sophomore Ella Kubas just behind in ninth. All-American Leah Drengenberg makes her triathlon season debut on Saturday as will Maddie Lavin, who is coming off a runner-up finish at the U23 Elite National Championship in August.
 

The Competition

South Dakota is one of six Division I schools racing at Saturday's regional qualifier. The Coyotes will face Delaware State, Denver, East Tennessee State, Hampton, and Wagner in the race.
 

The History

The Coyotes were third at the 2019 East Regional held at Smith Mountain Lake, albeit several of USD's frontrunners did not race in the competition.
 

One Last Thing

Four Coyotes – Lavin, Poellet, Andrea Cernuda, and Drengenberg – traveled to Tempe, Arizona, for the Dual in the Desert last month. The triangular competition between the Yotes, Arizona State and San Francisco broke down different skill sets of the triathlon. Lavin was USD's top finisher in sixth place, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the 3,000-meter time trial.