GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa Triathlon team will compete in the Southern Utah Triathlon in Hurricane, Utah this weekend and will serve as their final tune-up prior to the USA Triathlon Collegiate Championships on Nov. 16 in Arizona.
 
The Mavericks are coming off their second regional qualifying meet of the year when they competed in the East Regional in Huddleston, Va. at Smith Mountain Lake. Colorado Mesa placed third among Division II schools in the race and had one triathlete finish on the podium.
 
Davis & Elkins won the East Team title and paired with Queens University of Charlotte as the two team qualifiers from the Regional. The Mavericks qualified for the National Championships in the West Region meet in South Dakota back on Sept. 15.
 
Freshman Mazzy Jackson finished third among Division II competitors and sixth overall in the East Region race. Teammates Hannah Croasdell and Madison Batkiewicz were the Mavericks second and third finishers and placed 13^th and 14^th respectively.
 
This week's competition will take place at Quail Creek State Park, just North of St. George. The swim portion is a 750m triangle course followed by bike out and back near Hurricane. The triathlon will conclude with a 3.1 mile, out-and-back, run near the exit of the park.
 
According to the event website, air and water temps average between 70-75 degrees this time of year. The forecast for Saturday is 78 degrees under sunny skies.
 
Colorado Mesa will head to the National Championships on Nov. 16 and are hosted by Arizona State University. The Mavericks placed second as a team in last year's championships.