Hickory Sun

Governor Cooper paid tribute to the Lenoir-Rhyne University Men's Lacrosse and Women's Triathlon teams for their outstanding achievements in securing the 2023 and 2022 NCAA Division II National Championships in their respective sports. These teams demonstrated exceptional determination and unwavering perseverance, bringing immense pride to the state of North Carolina.

Today, Gov. Cooper honored the Lenoir-Rhyne University Men’s Lacrosse and Women’s Triathlon teams for winning the 2023 and 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship in their respective sports. Both teams showed remarkable determination and tenacity and made NC proud.

During the ceremony, the Governor officially declared October 23 as a day of recognition for the 2023 Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Lacrosse team and the 2022 Women's Triathlon team, according to NC Governor Gov report. Those in attendance included the Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Lacrosse Team, the Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Triathlon team, Dr. Fred Whitt, the President of Lenoir-Rhyne University, along with Avery Staley, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Catherine Niekro, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Justin Hay, Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Harley Mason, Head Coach of Lenoir-Rhyne University Triathlon, Greg Paradine, Head Coach of Lenoir Rhyne University Men's Lacrosse, along with Ned Kaish and Ryan Crompton, Men's Lacrosse Assistant Coaches, and Eric Dickinson, Volunteer Director of Player Development at Lenoir-Rhyne University. (Source)

The 2023 Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Lacrosse Team achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first-ever No. 5 seed to secure the Division II National Championship, according to NC Governor report. Their journey to victory entailed winning four games on the road, covering a staggering distance of over 1,900 miles to claim the coveted title. This accomplishment firmly established the team as the second men's program in the annals of LR Athletics to attain a National Championship, an honor previously held solely by the 1960 Football Team. In the National Title game, Lenoir-Rhyne delivered a commanding performance, overpowering Mercyhurst with a resounding 20-5 victory, establishing an astonishing 14-1 lead at halftime. The team's margin of victory, amounting to 15 goals, ranks as the second-largest in the history of the NCAA Division II National Championship. (Source)

At the USAT Nationals held on November 12, 2022, the Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Triathlon team etched their name in school history by securing the institution's inaugural women's National Championship, from NC Governor report. Remarkably, the team achieved a collective score of 268, outpacing their competitors, Colorado Mesa and Wingate. This triumph resulted in Harley Mason being rightfully acclaimed as the National Coach of the Year, while Eliska Rihova earned well-deserved recognition as the National Freshman of the Year. Throughout the year, the Bears garnered six All-American distinctions, and the program earned the distinguished title of Scholar All-American. (Source)