Triathletes rocket past Gators, Hurricanes in Space Coast sprint races in Florida

Sunday, March 24

Cocoa, FL

7:00 AM

Liberty University Club Sports

Space Coast Triathlon

(Photos by Leigh Ann Tannar)

Triathletes rocket past Gators, Hurricanes in Space Coast sprint races in Florida

3/25/2024 4:34:00 PM | Triathlon

Liberty had the top four men's finishers and three of the top four women's place-winners in Sunday's event in Cocoa, Fla., a final tune-up for the April 13-14 USA Triathlon National Championships in Mission Viejo, Calif.

Competing in the Space Coast Triathlon on Riverfront Park in Cocoa, Fla., for the first time after previously participating in the Clermont (Fla.) Draft Legal Challenge over the past several seasons, Liberty University's men's and women's triathlon teams dominated the collegiate and overall podiums for Sunday's sprint races, which featured 400-meter swims, 12-mile cycling stages, and 3.1-mile runs on mostly flat terrain.

The Flames and Lady Flames led out of the water to build early leads that they would never relinquish in both the men's and women's races, surging past familiar national rivals from the University of Miami and University of Florida. The Hurricanes and Gators were kept off the podiums and out of the top 10 on the men's side by Liberty's triathletes.

Freshman Gabe Shreve led the men out of the water in 6 minutes, 50 seconds, followed closely by sophomore Brady Swartz and freshman Alex Schimmel, who would go on to win the men's overall title in 58:28.9 with a 17:18 run time. Shreve finished second in 59:20.7, followed by Brandon Schimmel (third in 1:00:10.4) and Swartz (fourth in 1:02:42.3).

"The race was a huge confidence booster heading into nationals," Alex Schimmel said. "I saw some major improvements on the swim and bike from last semester and was blessed to come away with the first overall win of my triathlon career. More importantly, this trip has been amazing for our team; traveling and training with each other this past week has created so many unforgettable memories and brought us all closer together. I couldn't be more grateful to be a part of this incredible group."

Lady Flames junior Morgan Dalton led the women's field out of the bay with a 7:54 swim time, extended her lead on the bike (36:50), and held on in the run to finish in 1:07:28.3 and land on the top step of the women's overall podium. She was followed by junior teammate Bella Lang (second in 1:10:50.2) and freshman Kalina Frick (fourth in 1:12:45.9). Complete results are available online.

"Morgan came to the LU Triathlon team with a swimming background, but she has quickly fallen in love and excelled across all three disciplines of the sport with her hard work and dedication," Liberty Head Coach Heather Gollnick said.

The Flames and Lady Flames had three additional triathletes, freshmen Caleb Wilson and Ethan Tolar and junior Lydia Couric, qualify for nationals. With this qualification, the entire roster has secured spots on the starting line for the April 13-14 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships in Mission Viejo, Calif.

"The triathlon team is my second family, and I'm so glad I'm able to travel and spend time with my teammates and friends," Dalton said. "It's a bonus that we can compete together and encourage each other to succeed."

Gallery: (3-25-2024) Triathlon at Space Coast