TEMPE, ARIZ. — For the second straight year, the Central College women's triathlon team finished third amongst Division III programs at the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships Saturday.
           
There were 190 competitors across all three levels of NCAA. They completed a sprint triathlon race, consisting of a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and a five-kilometer run.
            
In the Division III team standings, North Central College (Ill.) was the winner with 450 points. Trine University (Ind.) was second with 392 points as Central totaled 272 points.
           
North Central's Bethany Smeed was the fastest athlete in Division III, crossing the line in 1 hour, 10 minutes and 13 seconds.
           
Luci Laidlaw (Pella) and Adeline Koritz (Clinton, Ill.) led the way for the Dutch, placing fifth and seventh in Division III, respectively. Laidlaw finished in 1:14.22 and Koritz clocked in at 1:15.05.
           
Seniors Katelyn Freeman (Castle Rock, Colo., Castle View HS), Grace Benson (Newton) and Madi Whalen (senior, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) completed Central's top five. Freeman was 149th overall (1:21.51), Benson was 157th overall (1:23.51) and Whalen was 160th overall (1:23.51).
           
For full race results from Saturday's competition, go here: https://4peaksracing.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16494&RId=6484&brid=uWrSnW98gG1ZfEtRVU4WeQ
 
Central finishers:
105th - Luci Laidlaw, 1:14:22.9 
112th - Adeline Koritz, 1:15:05.6
149th - Katelyn Freeman, 1:21:51.3 
157th - Grace Benson, 1:23:51.3 
160th- Madi Whalen, 1:24:43.2 
163rd - Estella Allen, 1:25:09.5
183rd - Georgia Havlicek, 1:32.39.4