Triathletes thrive in first Olympic distance race to open season in North Carolina

Saturday, September 13

Stockesdale, NC

TBD

Liberty University Club Sports

Belews Lake Triathlon

Triathletes thrive in first Olympic distance race to open season in North Carolina

9/16/2025 11:49:00 AM | Triathlon

The Flames and Lady Flames have three weeks to prepare for the Oct. 4 Mid-Atlantic Conference Championships at Pleasant Landing in Bumpass, Va.

Liberty University's men's and women's triathlon teams opened their seasons by testing themselves in an Olympic distance race — Saturday's Belews Lake Triathlon in Stokesdale, N.C. — and passed with flying colors, with six freshmen completing their first race of that distance and one her first triathlon.

"I was very happy with how the whole team performed," said junior Kendall Leininger, who won the women's collegiate division and placed second overall among women on the 1,500-meter swim, 27-mile cycling stage, and 10K run in 2 hours, 29 minutes, 11.55 seconds. "Most of our newcomers — four women and three men — have had triathlon experience coming in and everyone was happy with their races. It was a very big win for our team."

The Flames and Lady Flames were the only program in the collegiate division and used the race as a warm-up for their Oct. 4 Mid-Atlantic Conference Championships at Pleasant Landing in Bumpass, Va.

"The overall field was definitely less competitive than what we'll be seeing in a few weeks, when we race against a bunch of high-level schools in our region," Leininger said, noting the Mid-Atlantic is traditionally the strongest conference in the nation. "(At Belews Lake) both the bike and the run were very, very hilly, up and down the whole way. Overall, I was very happy I was able to do almost the same pacing as I had on a very flat course over a year ago at the Age Group National Championships in New Jersey, so I am really pleased with the progression."

"Kendall continues to be one of our most reliable and consistent racers," Liberty Head Coach Heather Gollnick added. "She's the kind of athlete we can always count on to deliver points for the team, especially in the biggest competitions. I'm excited to see what she brings to the table at conference."

"Absolutely, everyone is ready to go for this next one," Leininger added.

She finished fifth among Liberty's triathletes, behind the Flames' top four men — sophomore Alex Schimmel (2:06:54.33), junior Brandon Schimmel (2:11:00.15), freshman Evan Bittner (2:14:57.26), and freshman Ben Babcock (2:25:19.25). Freshman Jack Donohue rounded out the Flames' top five in 2:30:05.69, after sophomore Gabe Shreve, a regular in the top three, did not finish.

"Evan Bittner, one of our top recruits and a standout in short-distance draft-legal racing, made his Olympic debut," Gollnick said, noting she strategically chose to have the Flames and Lady Flames compete at that distance to prepare for the conference meet.

"It's really exciting to see the depth we have this year on the men's side," Assistant Coach Todd Gollnick added. "Alex and Brandon Schimmel pushed the intensity of the race from the start (and) Ben Babcock and Evan Bittner had great performances as well. We are deep, talent-wise, and we look forward to seeing how both teams, men and women, stack up against the competition through the year."

For the Lady Flames, freshmen Vera Swem (2:39:50.12), Elise Collette (2:39:59.95), and Jaden Lucas (2:42:08.86) finished 2-3-4, with Swem and Lucas completing their first Olympic-distance race. Complete results are available online.

"Each performed incredibly well," Gollnick said. "Beyond their performances, we as coaches are always impressed with how our student athletes handle themselves. They are a terrific representation of the university and are true Champions for Christ in every way."

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer