By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

DECATUR, Ill. -- Willamette University triathlete Ella Isaacson (So., Saint Paul, MN/Central HS) earned second place and teammate Aubrey Tuttle finished in third place at the Nelson Park Aquathon on Friday, Sept. 23, helping the Bearcats win the team title by a single point over host Millikin University. The aquathon featured Willamette and three NCAA Division III teams from the midwest in Millikin, Concordia University Wisconsin, and Coe College (Iowa). An aquathon includes running and swimming, but does not have a biking segment as in a triathlon.

Isaacson was timed at 10:51.07 and Tuttle completed the race in 10:58.08. Saahi Villafana of Millikin took first place in 10:37.71 and was second in the swim at 5:31.62. Amanda Fathman of Millikin followed Tuttle in fourth place at 10:58.85. Aimee Ubersetzig from Concordia was fifth in 11:06.07. Abbey Staniec (Fy., Stockton, CA/Lincoln HS) of Willamette placed sixth in 11;12.00 and teammate Veronica Castille (So., Round Rock, TX/Cedar Ridge HS) reached the finish line in 11:47.84.

The top swim time for WU was recorded by Isaacson in 5:49.48, which was sixth overall. Isaacson was timed at 5:01.19 in the run. The best time in the swim during the aquathon went to Shay Buchanan of Millikin in 5:30.54. Buchanan placed 11th in the overall race.

Willamette led the team standings with a score of 63, with Millikin in second place at 62. Concordia was third at 30 and Coe was fourth with 27 points.

"It was a great event to get some more experience for the young team," Willamette Head Triathlon Coach Brett Franz said. "Ella had a great swim and was able to really move through the field on the run to lead the team in second place. It was great to get the first team title at an event in program history."

The Bearcats will compete in the Millikin University DIII Invitational triathlon on Saturday, Sept. 24. Start time in Decatur is set for 8 a.m. CDT/6 a.m. PDT.