TEMPE – A college triathlon dynasty is forming in southern Arizona.
Arizona triathlon repeated as national champions in empathic fashion Saturday, taking home the top two spots and placing five athletes
in the top 10 at the 2025 Women’s Collegiate National Championship in Tempe.
Arizona’s Kelly Wetteland
won the individual title with a time of 1:02:09, followed by Margareta Vrablova in second overall with a time of 1:02:19.Arizona scored 896 points, ahead of runner-up ASU, who finished with 858 points. TCU took third.
The title marks the second national championship in three years for Arizona triathlon, which held its inaugural season in 2023. This marks the 24th national championship in Arizona history.
The second title was even sweeter than the first, Arizona coach Wes Johnson said.
“We’re getting deeper and deeper each year,” said Johnson. “The athletes are improving each year. And that’s really important to me, that we’re showing growth each year.”
Five Arizona athletes were part of the lead pack of racers, with Wetteland and Vrablova separating themselves in the 5K run, the third and final leg of the competition.
Ellison Wolfe finished seventh, Mia Wentzy finished eighth and Ruth Pardy finished 10th. The top five finishers count to a team’s overall score. Sara Cronciani took 16th place, and Molly Lakustiak finished in 18th to round out the Wildcats competitors.
“Top five in the top 10 and all seven in the top 20, I don’t think that’s ever been done before,” said Johnson. “It’s pretty incredible.
Wetteland completed an undefeated senior season by winning the individual title. Wetteland was among the first athletes out of the water in the opening swimming leg, and was in the top three coming out of the cycling portion.
“Honestly I think we executed really well today,” said Wetteland. “Everyone kind of pulled through where they needed to. We all brought it home.”
A significant contingent of Arizona fans and family members of UA athletes were in attendance at the meet, which was held at Tempe Town Lake.
“It was so fun. We had so many fans here from Arizona, from Tucson and from all over,” said Johnson. “That’s what we love. That’s what’s cool about it being here in Arizona. We get way more people here.”
Arizona’s dominance in the emerging sport of women’s triathlon doesn’t appear to be subsiding anytime soon. The Wildcats are expected to bring back their entire team next season, Johnson said.
“A lot of people don’t realize that, but this exact team is still here,” said Johnson. “We’re coming back.”
