TEMPE, Ariz. – Returning to Tempe for the second time this fall, the University of San Francisco Triathlon team enjoyed a historic day in the desert as the Dons finished second overall as a team at the 2021 USAT Women's Collegiate National Championship. Additionally, Kira Gupta Baltazar was crowned the Individual National Champion.
 
Notably, Gillian Cridge also finished third overall with teammate Molly Elliott right behind in fourth place as this finish marked the first time in program history in which three Dons have finished in the top five in  the National Championship.
 
For USF, Gupta Baltazar's achievement marked the first individual National Champion for the Dons since Charlotte Taylor won the women's 10k in 2017.
OVERALL TEAM RESULTS:

1. Arizona State (35)
2. San Francisco (58)
3. South Dakota (68)
4. University of Denver (91)
5. ETSU (113)
6. Wagner College (154)
7. Delaware State (193)

 
OVERALL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:
1. Kira Gupta Baltazar- 1:04:20.8
3. Gillian Cridge- 1:05:23.7
4. Molly Elliott- 1:05:27.5
20. Katherine Badham- 1:08:46.2
30. Maddie Perkins- 1:10:39.8
32. Chloe Ramirez- 1:11:18.7
34. Hayley Diemar- 1:11:43.2
 
Swim:
1. Kira Gupta Baltazar- 00:09:55
6. Molly Elliott- 00:10:19
15. Gillian Cridge- 00:10:43
26. Chloe Ramirez- 00:11:00
27. Hayley Diemar- 00:11:01
34. Maddie Perkins- 00:11:13
44. Katherine Badham- 00:11:54
 
Cycle:

2. Kira Gupta Baltazar- 00:34:54
3. Molly Elliott- 00:34:30
12. Gillian Cridge: 00:35:09
31. Maddie Perkins- 00:36:13
27. Chloe Ramirez- 00:36:21
33. Hayley Diemar- 00:36:23
36. Katherine Badham- 00:36:46
 
Run:
1. Kira Gupta Baltazar- 00:018:13
3. Gillian Cridge- 00:18:09
4. Molly Elliot- 00:19:19
20. Katherine Badham- 00:18:41
30. Maddie Perkins- 00:21:46
32. Chloe Ramirez- 00:22:31
34. Hayley Diemar- 00:22:45
 
CATCHING UP WITH THE CHAMP:
"The win yesterday felt especially good because it wasn't for me. The girls and I have put our literal blood, sweat and tears into training for this race and it was special that I could help us get here today. I am so grateful for the support of my coaches and for USF for giving us an incredible opportunity to train in such a special environment and culture here in San Francisco. We are just getting started as a team and are well on our way to a national championship next year." -Kira Gupta Baltazar
 
CONGRATS COACH KEHR:
"Today was a day I knew we could have from the moment this team came together. This day has been a long time coming as this team was recruited in 2019 and then sat in and out of zooms over the past few semesters, never fully being together until this fall. During that time, we made culture a key component to our training. Competing for something other than yourself opens up the limits you set on yourself. The ladies proved it today. They raced for each other, which encouraged them to keep pushing. We had great performances from the entire team. Kira becoming the national champion, Gillian taking the third-place podium spot and Molly grabbing fourth gave us three Dons in the top five… That truly shows what belief and trust can do. I am so proud of this team and looking forward to what is ahead. We have only just begun."- Head Coach Gina Kehr
 
UP NEXT:
The Dons will use the next few months to recover and retool as the dons are not set to compete again until the Tritonman in San Diego on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.

FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the University of San Francisco women's triathlon team, please follow the Dons @USFTriathlon on Twitter and @USFDonsTriathlon on Instagram.