Photos: Arizona Wildcats make a splash in first home triathlon home event
University of Arizona's triathlon team hosted its first ever meet on home soil, the Duel in the Desert, and against arch rival Arizona State no less, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
The Cats placed first, defeating the Sun Devils 60-54.
Five UA triathletes finished in the top 10 individually and all seven placed in the top 12 with Kelly Wetteland taking first for the third race this season with a time of 29:43:76, according to a news release.
Coming in second was Margareta Vrablova with a time of 29:59:30. Ellison Wolfe placed fifth with a time of 30:14:57, Ruth Pardy finished eighth (30:35:00), and Mia Wentzy was ninth (30:41:31). Molly Lakustiak finished 10th (30:46:59) and Sara Crociani placed 12th (31:14:49).
Arizona’s Molly Lakustiak takes off from the transition area for the running leg during one of the qualifying heats at the Duel in the Desert, the first triathlon to be held on the U of A campus, September 20, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona’s Kelly Wetteland dumps water on her head on the last lap of final of the Duel in the Desert, the first triathlon to be held on the UA campus, Sept. 20, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona’s Dana Prikrylová warms up in the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center prior just after sunrise as the athletes get ready for the Duel in the Desert, the first triathlon to be held on the U of A campus, September 20, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Fresh out of the pool, Arizona’s Kelly Wetteland sprints for the transition site and her bike at the Duel in the Desert triathlon, Sept. 20, 2025, in Tucson.
Athletes from Arizona and Arizona State dive into the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center pool for the start of the morning’s first qualifying heat for the Duel in the Desert, Sept. 20, 2025, in Tucson.
Triathletes speed along Enke Drive on the biking leg of a qualifying heat at the Duel in the Desert, September 20, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Competitors from the U of A and Arizona State dive into the pool at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center for the start of the final race at the Duel in the Desert triathlon, September 20, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
The main pack pedals their way along Enke Drive at the Duel in the Desert, September 20, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona’s Mia Wentzy waits to be tagged in for her leg of the triathlon relay at the Duel in the Desert, September 20, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Margareta Vrablova readies her bike at the transition area as the Arizona triathlon team prepares for the Duel in the Desert, Sept. 20, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona’s Kelly Wetteland, left, Mia Wentzy and Margareta Vrablova get together at the finish line following the last are of the morning at the Duel in the Desert, September 20, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
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