TEMPE, Ariz. – Representing the Montana State University Billings women's triathlon team on Saturday at Tempe Town Lake, Madisan Chavez and Izzy Siegle competed in the NCAA Championships.
 
Placing 37th among a field of 50 competitors, Chavez completed the course in a time of 1:10:02.7. Chavez swam a time of 15:16.7 minutes, posted a bike time of 39:21.2 minutes, and completed the 5k run in 22:39.4 minutes. "Madi went out on a solid note," said MSUB head coach Kevin Bjerke. "It wasn't her best swim but she had a strong bike and run. She was able to work with a few girls during the bike and move her way up during the first three laps. She has been incredibly consistent in the 22-minute range for her final 5k runs and today was no exception. I'm really proud of all she has accomplished in our program as MSUB's first triathlete, and I am excited to see her walk across the stage at graduation this winter. She has a lot to be proud of."
 
Siegle checked in at 47th place, with a time of 1:28:37.8. She completed the swim in 14:04.5 minutes, the bike in 43:52.0 minutes, and the 5k in 28:47.4 minutes. "Izzy didn't disappoint in her first championship race," said Bjerke. "She had a great swim and probably had her most aggressive bike ride of her career to set herself up for a great overall performance. She has been hampered by injury since last February, which has prevented her from doing much run training. She did a great job gutting it out today."
 
Julia Kekkonen of Wingate University won the individual title, with a time of 1:06:54.5 to hold off second-place Jayme Vermaas of Drury University by a comfortable 14 seconds.