GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— The Colorado Mesa University women's triathlon team will begin the season next week ranked fourth in the NCAA Division II portion of the College Triathlon Coaches Association's Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was announced early Monday morning.
The Mavs also finished fourth amongst Division II teams in the standings of last year's Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships behind Wingate, Lenoir-Rhyne and Drury, who also occupy the top three spots in the preseason poll.
Cal Poly Humboldt, Black Hills State, UIndy, Emmanuel (Ga.), Newberry and Concord round out the list of the top ten Division II teams.
Arizona is the top team in the Division I poll ahead of Arizona State and TCU.
North Central tops the Division III poll ahead of Trine and Willamette.
Jen Mathe, entering her fifth season as the Mavs' head coach, returns eight squad members, including four of their seven triathletes from the national meet contingent in 2026, including CTCA Honorable Mention All-American
Shantelle Tupaz and West Region Freshman of the Year Alexandria Schipai.
She also added three freshman from three nations to this year's squad.
The Mavs will open the season next Tuesday (Sept. 1) with the D2 Virtual Invitational at CMU's El Pomar Natatorium and will contest their first traditional race of the season four days later at the Southern Hills Collegiate Cup in Hot Springs, South Dakota.
The Mavs will then team up with the Grand Junction Sports Commission to host the Desert's Edge Collegiate Cup on Sept. 27 at and near Highline Lake State Park in Loma.
Division II
1. Wingate
2. Lenoir-Rhyne
3. Drury
4. Colorado Mesa
5. Cal Poly Humboldt
6. Black Hills State
7. UIndy
8. Emmanuel
9. Newberry
10. Concord
Division I
1. Arizona
2. Arizona State
3. TCU
T4. Denver
T4. San Francisco
6. South Dakota
7. Queens
8. East Tennessee State
9. Navy
10. Duquesne
Division III
1. North Central
2. Trine
3. Willamette
4. Central College
5. Concordia (Wisc.)
7. Warren Wilson
7. Eastern Mennonite
8. Gallaudet
9. Coe
10. Guilford
