PELLA — Opening its season at home, the Central College women's triathlon team outscored Coe College 29-11 Thursday afternoon.
           
The two programs competed in a shortened triathlon and in a time trial format for part of the meet to get a first competition under their belts. The nine athletes swam together for 600 meters in Roberts Creek near Lake Red Rock. Then they had a rolling start for a 15-kilometer bike and 3.5-kilometer run. Individuals points were assigned as nine for the champion and losing value in decreasing order.

"We competed great." Hedrick-Rozenberg said. "It was about where I expected us to be,  and even better than expected in biking and running. We are biking a lot faster than last spring."
           
Freshman Grace Benson (Newton) was the individual winner, crossing the line in 57 minutes, 21 seconds.

"That was great to see," Hedrick-Rozenberg said. "She had an amazing run and she had a great bike as well."
           
Lindsey Blommers (senior, Pella) was second in a time of 59:42.
           
"Lindsey had a run that was pretty consistent with her time from last season and her bike was a little bit better," Hedrick-Rozenberg said.
           
Thea Lunning (senior, Mason City) was third overall in 1:01.56. She had the fastest swim time in the field in 10:58, narrowly beating Benson (11:00) and Blommers (11:06).
           
"I was happy to see three of our athletes get out of their water first and all within 10 seconds of each other," Hedrick-Rozenberg said.
           
Freshman Luci Laidlaw (freshman, Pella) was fifth in her first triathlon in 1:05.20. She was the second-fastest runner in the field, completing the run in 18:11.

"Luci did great," Hedrick-Rozenberg said. "She had a really strong bike and her run was really great."

Jessica Carithers (senior, Mackinaw, Deer Creek-Mackinaw HS) was sixth in 1:05.43 and Grace Parrish (senior, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) was ninth in 1:17:34.
 
Central will go to a triathlon with full transitions next weekend in East Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Rhoads McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon hosted by Calvin University (Mich.). Tonight's experience gives them a good practice run for next Saturday's race.

"Having raced each aspect at least once will help us for the next one where we have transitions," Hedrick-Rozenberg said.