VERMILLION, S.D.—Four members of the South Dakota womens’ triathlon team have earned College Triathlon Coaches Association (CTCA) Scholar All-America honors for 2018. Senior Brook Benes, freshman Leah Drengenberg, senior Kathleen Juffer and freshman Payton Ryz were all recognized following the program’s inaugural season.

To qualify for CTCA Scholar All-America status, a student-athlete must compete in the national championship meet and have maintained a 3.5 grade-point average for the fall semester. The quartet of Coyotes were among 52 student-athletes who qualified for the honor. South Dakota placed second at the 2018 USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship in November to cap off the program’s inaugural season.