SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Drury triathlon opens its eighth season of competition, with Tuesday marking the first race of the 2026 season.
The Panthers open the season with the D2 Virtual Invitational on Tuesday, competing against Colorado Mesa, Emmanuel, and Wingate. The race will be completed entirely on campus, with Drury opening with the bike portion in the Triathlon Training Center. Following the race, the Panthers will submit their times to be compared with the other participating programs.
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, the Panthers will compete in their first in-person race Sept. 19 at the Beaver County Tri Cup, hosted by Duquesne. Drury then travels to the Prairie State Cup on Oct. 3 to close out the regular season.
The reigning NCAA West Regional champions return to Fort Worth, Texas, to defend their title on Oct. 18. The Panthers then close the season at the NCAA National Championship, hosted by Arizona State, on Nov. 8.
2025 RECAP
- Drury won its third total, and second straight, NCAA West Regional Championship last season.
- The Panthers placed third at the NCAA National Championship.
- Drury won three competitions during the 2025 season, claiming the Duquesne Invitational, Prairie State Cup, and West Regional titles against Division II programs.
- The Panthers earned five All-America honors and four All-Region honors.
CTCA PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
- The College Triathlon Coaches Association (CTCA) announced its preseason coaches' poll last Monday, with Drury ranked third among Division II programs.
- Wingate claimed the top spot, with Lenoir-Rhyne in second.
- D2 Virtual Invitational opponent Colorado Mesa was selected fourth, while Emmanuel was picked eighth.
STORYLINES
- The Panthers return record-holder Eszter Vas, who owns the fastest sprint race time in program history at 1:02.33.
- Second-team All-American and All-Region selection Kristina Vestman returns for her senior season.
- Vestman holds the fourth-fastest sprint time in program history.
- Tarryn Brumley and Cayman Barnes also return after earning postseason honors last season.
- Terry Dean is back for his second season as head coach.
FOLLOW THE PANTHERS
For all the latest information on Drury athletics, please visit drurypanthers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on X and Instagram.
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