Triathletes get Draft Legal experience at USPC Conference Championships in N.C.

Saturday, October 25

Troutman, NC

8:00 AM

Liberty University Club Sports

USPC Draft Legal Triathlon

Lady Flames freshman Vera Swem powers through the cycling stage of the Mid-Atlantic Conference Championships at Pleasant Landing State Park. (Photo by Brady Schwartz)

Triathletes get Draft Legal experience at USPC Conference Championships in N.C.

10/29/2025 6:54:00 PM | Triathlon

The Flames and Lady Flames participated in the Super Sprint races Saturday at Lake Norman State Park.

Liberty University's triathlon team turned in an inspiring performance at the USPC Draft Legal Conference Championships held Saturday at Lake Norman State Park in Troutman, N.C.

On the men's side, junior Gabe Shreve finished 14th in 35 minutes, 25 seconds, coming out of the 500-meter swim in 23rd place in 6:17 before completing the 10-kilometer cycling stage 17th fastest in 16:00 and the 2-mile run in 11:12. Senior team captain Brandon Schimmel placed 21st in 35:53.5, ranking 33rd in the swim in 6:40, 29th on the bike in 16:24 and 11th in the run in 10:48. Elijah Barker followed close behind in 22nd place overall in 36:02.4 (14th in swim in 6:00, 25th on bike in 16:12, and 24th in run in 11:57) before fellow junior Alex Schimmel landed in 24th in 36:18.6 and sophomore Evan Bittner 26th in 36:43.4.

"Brandon executed a well-planned race strategy, conserving energy early before unleashing a powerful final two-mile run," Assistant Coach Todd Gollnick said. "His decisive finishing surge capped off a strong race and reflected both his leadership and race intelligence."

For the women, freshman recruit Vera Swem delivered the standout performance of the day, finishing 11th out of 32 contestants in 43:47.7 after her 18th-place swim in 7:59, 11th-place cycling stage in 19:45, and 13th-place run in 14:07. A draft-legal specialist, Swem has quickly made her mark in collegiate triathlon, just weeks after successfully completing her first Olympic-distance event in the Mid-Atlantic Championships at Lake Anna.

"Her dedication to training, combined with the energy and spirituality she brings to the team, has made her a remarkable addition to the program," Gollnick said.

Graduate women's team captain Lydia Couric also impressed spectators and teammates alike, battling stride-for-stride down the finishing stretch to edge out a close rival and land in 21st place in 47.37.7 on the strength of her fifth-place swim time of 16:58.

"She showed tremendous fight coming down that final stretch, proving what a runner she is," Gollnick said.

Complete results are available online.

The Flames and Lady Flames will next host a Turkey Trot Color Fun Run on the East Campus Disc Golf Course set for Nov. 16 at 3 p.m., with $15 registration available online.