OVERLAND PARK, Kan.— The Colorado Mesa University triathlon team qualified all seven members of its team for the championship heats through a series of intra-squad duathlon time trials on Friday afternoon here at the C26 Hub Invitational.
 
The Mavericks, reigning Division III National Champion North Central (Ill.) and Division III runner-up Trine (Ind.) all competed in a series of intra-squad time trials on Friday, which set the waves for Saturday's portion of the uniquely formatted competition.
 
On Friday, the teams swam 200 yards in the indoor pool at the C26 Hub, a boutique fitness gym here in the Kansas City suburbs, before running 1,000 meters outside the facility.
 
Saturday's races, which will begin at 7 a.m. CST (6 a.m. Mountain) are slated to include a 5-mile virtual bike ride, which was scrapped from Friday's competition.
 
Maverick freshman Shantelle Tupaz was the top overall qualifier out of the 20 entries, recording a time of six minutes, 24 seconds.  Fellow freshman Mackenzie Mayer qualified third in 6:33 while Josie Williams (6:36) and Mariana Batarse Duenes (6:46) also qualified for the fastest heat on Saturday.
 
Nadine Klive finished seventh fastest on the day in 6:47 and will be in the other championship heat alongside Jaycee Stephens (6:57) and Emma Meyers (7:00).  

The results from those two 6-person heats will determine the overall champion.

Eight other triathletes will race in two 4-person consolation heats on Saturday.
 
Division I Chicago State was also slated to compete but pulled out of the competition.