Byk Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University triathlete Riga Grubis (Fy., Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) has been selected All-West Region based on her finish among NCAA Division III competitors at the West National Qualifier in Springfield, Missouri, on Saturday, Oct. 14. Grubis also was chosen as the West All-Region Freshman for the 2023 season. Abbey Staniec (So., Stockton, CA/Lincoln HS) of Willamette was the East All-Region Freshman in 2022 when Willamette competed at the East National Qualifier in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia.

Grubis earned sixth place among NCAA Division III entrants at the West National Qualifier. She attained an overall time of 1:16:52.46. She was timed at 15:06 in the swim, 37:37 ini the bike, and 21:48 in the run. She was one of three Bearcats among the top 13 finishers. Ella Isaacson (Jr., Saint Paul, MN/Central HS) was 11th and Veronica Castille (Jr., Round Rock, TX/Cedar Ridge HS) placed 13th.

Joining Grubis on the All-West Region Team for Division III were Hailey Poe, Charlotte Kumler, Bethany Smeed, and Scarlett Schuth from North Central, along with Aly Barnes of Millikin University (Ill.) and Rebekah Etherington of Calvin.

Willamette took second place in the team standings at the West National Qualifier. North Central College (Ill.) won the team title, and Calvin University (Mich.) followed the Bearcats in third place. Willamette will send seven triathletes to the Women's Collegiate Triathlon Championships on Saturday, Nov. 11 in Tempe, Arizona.