BUFORD, Ga. (Oct. 17, 2026) – The East Tennessee State women's triathlon team opened postseason competition Saturday morning at the East Regional Qualifier in Buford, Ga., with three Buccaneers earning automatic qualification into the championship wave at the upcoming national championships.
The Bucs competed against programs from all three NCAA divisions, with the top 20 overall finishers automatically qualifying for the A wave at nationals. The next 35 qualifiers will be determined following the West Regional Qualifier on Sunday and the release of updated rankings.
Notables
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Taylor Walker led the Bucs with a 12th-place overall finish, crossing the line in 1:05:33.55. Walker posted a run split of 18:41, the fourth-fastest of the entire field, and secured an automatic spot in the A wave at nationals.
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Andie Psilopoulos and Ninon Lapierre also earned automatic qualification with top-20 finishes. Psilopoulos placed 18th in 1:06:16.74 and recorded a swim split of 10:05, the fastest among the Buccaneers. Lapierre finished right behind in 19th with a time of 1:06:58.57 and posted ETSU's fastest bike split of the day at 32:40.
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With three athletes already securing automatic spots in the A wave, ETSU will await the results of Sunday's West Regional Qualifier to determine additional championship-wave placements. The next 35 spots will be awarded based on combined regional results and updated rankings, with each team's eighth, ninth, and 10th finishers excluded from consideration. Regular-season rankings, weighted at 93-percent, will also factor into the remaining qualification process.
UP NEXT
The Buccaneers will turn their attention to the Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships on Sunday, November 8 in Tempe, Ariz. Final championship-wave assignments will be determined following the conclusion of both regional qualifiers and the release of updated rankings.
