WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The Navy triathlon team opened its 2024-25 season with three athletes posting top-five finishes to place second out of six teams with 106 total points at the Patriots Triathlon on Sunday morning. The event consists of a NCAA distance standard of a Sprint Distance Triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5k run).

"I am extremely pumped for the plebes who have been bonded together through the summer to this first race," remarked head coach Billy Edwards. "Emely led with great professionalism through our early season, into the race weekend and gave them confidence. They lead on the course with the same tenacity they have had in practice."

A pair of freshmen had a big debut for the Midshipmen. Natalie Wang won the event and finished with 31 total points with a total time of 1:10:03.6. The San Diego, Calif., native recorded the fastest times in the 750m swim (11:46) and the 5k run (18:44), she also posted the sixth-fastest bike time of 36:59.

"Natalie was the first who reached out to us when we announced in March of 2023, it's only fitting she won her first race," stated Edwards.

Dylan Cashin also had an impressive debut in a Navy uniform as she finished in third place to accumulate 29 team points. Cashin got out to a fast start with the swim as she compiled the third-fastest swim time of 11:50, her efficient pace continued over to the second group of the bike clocking a time of 36:49. She finished the race off with a time of 20:43.9 in the 5k run.

Senior captain Vela rounded out the top-five group as she finished with a career-best fifth place with a total time of 1:14:33.8 and added 27 team points for the Mids. Vela's career day started with a 12:25 swim time, followed up with a 38:45.5 bike time and finished off the race with a 20:27.1 5k run time.

"Emely has brought this team together to perform tremendously in their first times representing Navy. She had a solid bike and run to rebound from a slow start in the swim to round out our top three scorers," said Edwards.

Sophomore MC Kistler placed 15th for 17 points as she posted times of 13:32.7 in the swim; biked a time of 44:53.8 and ran a time of 25:56.9 to begin the season.

Sailor Eastman capped off the scoring with three points as she raced in the swim (11:52), bike (38:00.4) and opted to not compete in the run segment to conclude her day.

Up next

Navy will compete in the Duquesne Collegiate Cup next Saturday at Brady's Run Park in Beaver Falls, Pa. The women's draft-legal race will begin at 7:30 a.m.

Team Standings

1. Delaware State – 133 points

2. Navy – 106 points

3. Roberts Wesleyan – 79 points

4. Gallaudet – 55 points

5. Hampton – 44 points