WATAUGA LAKE, Tenn. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's short course triathlon team came out on top at the USAT Central Qualifier this weekend, despite weather conditions due to Hurricane Florence.
 
"The conditions today were unlike what you see in a triathlon when you factor in both the hurricane influenced weather as well as 40- mile per hour descents on the course," said head triathlon coach Sonni Dyer. "There were teams that decided to not make the trip and others that pulled out after the swim, but the Royals rose to meet the challenge."
 
The women were led by freshman Marilena Swidrak who finished third with a time of 39:27.0. Two more Royals finished in the top 10 including Jordan Grantz who placed sixth (41:31.0) and Ida Osterman who placed eighth (42:44.0).
 
Freshman Caylan Bromley finished the race in 11th place with a time of 43:58.0 and Maddie Koler crossed the line in 46.05.0 to place 14th.
 
Queens collectively finished atop East Tennessee State University and North Central University who placed second and third, respectively.
 
"Given that we raced all seven freshmen today, I was very proud of both their courage and accomplishment," Dyer added.
 
Both the Royals men's and women's teams return to action Saturday, October 6 in Uptown Charlotte in the QU Home SuperSprint Draft Legal race.