Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin – Charlotte Kumler made a statement collegiate debut for the Transylvania triathlon team in its 2021 season opening event on Saturday morning at the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon, taking third in the race while leading the Pioneers to a runner-up finish among all competing Division III teams.
Kumler signaled her immediate arrival on the collegiate triathlon scene with a 1:10:51 finish, good for third place against a 42-racer field. Kumler had plenty of help from her Pioneer teammates as junior Grayson Bray and sophomore Delaney McPherson joined the freshman with top-10 finishes. Bray took sixth with a 1:12:12 finish while McPherson placed eighth with a 1:12:49 showing.
The trio steered the Pioneers to a sizzling second-place team finish out of six teams, earning 38 points which was second-lowest among the field. Trine took first at the event with 31 points while Millikin finished in third behind Transy with 39 points.
"The transformation this program has had in two years is amazing," commented head coach Sean McNulty on the Pioneers fiery start to the new season. "We saw most of the top talent in the country today and proved that we belong in the hunt for a national championship. As we build fitness and experience, which is going to be the goal!"
Newcomer Eve Brunell also made her collegiate debut for the Pioneers on Saturday, taking 24th place in 1:19:44. Logan Thomas rounded out the five for the Pioneers with a 1:28:32 time.
The Pioneers hit the circuit again on Sunday, September 19 for the Tri the Illini meet.
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