Thunder Triathlon Competes in Wisconsin

Thunder Triathlon Competes in Wisconsin

LAKE GENEVA, WISC.  --  Members of the Trine women's triathlon team competed at the Lake Geneva Escape over the weekend in Lake Geneva, Wisc.

All of Trine's competitors took part in the sprint race which consisted of three stages; 500-meter swim, 13.1 bike ride and a 3.1 run.  The Thunder competed against a variety of age groups as well as professional athletes.

In the 16-19 age division, sophomore Natalee Landel (Edgerton, Ohio/Edgerton) completed the event with an overall time of 1:18:15 and placed first in her respective division and 32nd overall.  Landel got the day started with a mark of 8:39 in the swim and then followed with the bike ride stage with a time of 41:47.  In the final stage, Landel posted a mark of 24:02.

Freshman Melissa Wirtz (Huron, Ohio/Huron) also competed in the 16-19 age group and turned in an overall mark of 1:27:31 to place third.  She came in ahead of Landel in the swim with a time of 7:27 and then posted a mark of 45:59 in the bike before completing the run in a time of 30:05.

Sophomore Kirsten Godfrey (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) competed in the 20-24 age division and posted the seventh quickest time amongst her division competitors.  She recorded a combined time of 1:22:30 after beginnig the event with a 6:59 mark in the swim portion and then 46:39 in the bike, followed by a final stage time of 25:12 in the run.

Senior Stephanie Hostutler (Angola, Ind./Carver) joined Godfrey in the 20-24 age division and placed ninth with a total time of 1:44:53.  Hostutler swam an 8:32 and then 50:43 in the bike ride.  She completed the course with a 39:38 run.

"Overall, we had another great showing," said Head Coach Danny Powell.  "These ladies are just now beginning to understand how good they can be.  Considering were we were when the season started five weeks ago, to where we are today, shows how hard they have worked.  We have a real chance to compete for a national title."

Trine will next compete in the East Region Qualifier which will be held in Sarasota, Fla. on Saturday, Oct. 7.