University of San Francisco
Collegiate National Championships
11/8/2026 7:16:00 PM | Triathlon
TEMPE, Ariz. – The University of San Francisco triathlon team concluded its 2026 season with a fourth-place finish at the Women's Varsity Triathlon National Championship on Sunday, Nov. 8, in Tempe, Ariz.
Competing against 15 Division I programs, San Francisco totaled 820 points to secure fourth place overall. Arizona claimed the national title with 936 points, followed by Arizona State in second (908) and TCU in third (860). The Dons finished ahead of Queens University of Charlotte (749), Navy (721) and Denver (718).
The championship presented an unexpected challenge for the Dons, as heavy rainfall across Arizona forced organizers to modify the competition from a triathlon to a duathlon, eliminating the swimming portion of the race. Despite the change, San Francisco adapted to the conditions and executed its race plan, with five athletes finishing among the top 37 overall.
"I cannot be more proud of the way our ladies performed today," said head coach Gina Kehr. "We had a lot of changes with the rainstorm that came through Arizona, making the race a duathlon. The ladies were flexible, resilient and gritty and executed their race plans as we discussed."
Radana Lapácková led the way for San Francisco, crossing the finish line in 1:03:04 to place 20th overall. Tallulah Wright followed closely behind, finishing just seven seconds later in 21st place with a time of 1:03:11.
Kjara Reckmann and Maite Kuestner also turned in strong performances for the Dons, finishing just four seconds apart. Reckmann secured 33rd overall with a time of 1:04:14, while Kuestner followed in 34th at 1:04:18.
María Núñez Bautista rounded out San Francisco's top five finishers, placing 37th overall with a time of 1:04:58. Heidi Henry crossed the finish line in 1:07:33 to finish 63rd overall, while Abbey Lotz completed the Dons' lineup, finishing 87th with a time of 1:10:19.
For Henry, the championship held additional significance as the event, the Sun Devil Classic in Tribute to Hannah Henry, honored her late sister.
The Dons entered the national championship with a combination of experience and new faces, featuring four returning national championship veterans and three athletes making their first appearance at the event. Kehr credited the team's ability to come together and compete despite the challenges presented throughout the day.
"With four national championship veterans and three athletes new to the national championship, this team rose as one and put together a great day," Kehr said. "We are proud to be fourth overall among the best teams in the country and to be competitive. We are the Dons, and we will always keep striving for more."
San Francisco's fourth-place finish caps off its 2026 campaign, as the green and gold close out the season with a strong showing against the country's top collegiate programs.
DIVISION I TEAM RESULTS
- Arizona – 936
- Arizona State – 908
- TCU – 860
- San Francisco – 820
- Queens – 749
- Navy – 721
- Denver – 718
- Duquesne – 649
- South Dakota – 644
- East Tennessee State – 610
    20th Radana Lapácková – 20th (1:03:04)
    21st Tallulah Wright – 21st (1:03:11)
  33rd Kjara Reckmann – 33rd (1:04:14)
    34th Maite Kuestner – 34th (1:04:18)
  37th María Núñez Bautista – 37th (1:04:58)
    63rd Heidi Henry – 63rd (1:07:33)
    87th Abbey Lotz – 87th (1:10:19)
FOLLOW ALONG
For updates and more information on the University of San Francisco triathlon program, follow the Dons on X (@DonsAthletics), Instagram (@usfcatriathlon) and Facebook (USF Dons Athletics).
