CLERMONT, FLORIDA — A format change did not slow down the Central College triathlon team en route to a third-place finish amongst Division III teams at the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships Saturday.
           
The opening section of the triathlon, swimming, was moved up a day to Friday and held at a new location because the original swimming location was considered unsafe for competition after hurricane damage. The athletes continued the triathlon Saturday morning with the bike and run. Coach Jennie Hedrick-Rozenberg said several student-athletes from Europe said this format is common overseas.
           
"Our women felt like they could swim harder and not have to leave some in the tank for the bike and the run," Hedrick-Rozenberg said. "They liked it and didn't like it at the same time. They normally use the swim to get their heart rate up for the bike."
           
Adeline Koritz (freshman, Clinton, Ill.) was Central's top finisher, placing 10th in a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes, 1 second.
           
Central's junior trio of Taylor Jones (junior, Knoxville), Grace Benson (junior, Newton) and Luci Laidlaw (junior, Pella) finished 15th, 16th, and 18th, respectively. Jones crossed the line at 1:15.19 and Benson was right behind her in 1:15.48. Laidlaw recovered from an accident at the end of her bike to cross in 1:16.53.
           
"Taylor and Grace stayed together on the bike and then had great runs," Hedrick-Rozenberg said. "Taylor haf the best run she's had. Grace has been sick for the last two weeks so for her to have the race she had is incredible."
           
"Luci had to focus mentally and finish strong."
           
The fifth scorer for Central, Estella Allen (freshman, Newton) finished 32nd in 1:22.36
           
"Estella had a great race," Hedrick-Rozenberg said. "She stayed with a fast pack and had a PR by over five minutes on a bike."
           
Hedrick-Rozenberg picked up some hardware of her own as she was selected by her peers as the Division III Coach of the Year.
           
Central's other two participants in the championship meet, Katelyn Freeman (junior, Castle Rock, Colo., Castle View HS) and Sophie Lunning (senior, Mason City), both had solid performances according to their coach. Freeman finished in 1:23.01 and Lunning in 1:26.51
           
"Sophie had her best race of the last two years," she said. "It's a great way for her to finish her career. Katelyn had a great bike and a great run."