Today, Governor Roy Cooper honored the Lenoir-Rhyne University Men’s Lacrosse and Women’s Triathlon teams on winning the 2023 and 2022 NCAA National Championship in their respective sports.
“Both teams showed remarkable determination and tenacity on their respective runs to capture NCAA Division II National Championships,” said Governor Cooper. “We’re excited to celebrate them today and how they made North Carolina proud on the national stage.”
At the event, the Governor signed proclamations proclaiming October 23 as a day in recognition of the 2023 Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Lacrosse team and the 2022 Women’s Triathlon team. Event attendees included the Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Lacrosse Team, the Lenoir-Rhyne Women’s Triathlon team, Lenoir-Rhyne University President Dr. Fred Whitt, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Avery Staley, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Catherine Niekro, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Justin Hay, Lenoir-Rhyne University Triathlon Head Coach Harley Mason, Lenoir Rhyne University Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Greg Paradine, Men’s Lacrosse Assistant Coach Ned Kaish, Men’s Lacrosse Assistant Coach Ryan Crompton and Lenoir-Rhyne University Volunteer Director of Player Development Eric Dickinson.
The Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Lacrosse Team became the first-ever No. 5 seed to go on to win the National Championship in Division II history in 2023. The team won four games away from home and traveled over 1,900 miles to capture the title. The team became just the second men’s program in the history of LR Athletics to win a National Championship, joining the 1960 Football Team. Lenoir-Rhyne dominated Mercyhurst in the National Title game, winning by a final of 20-5 and were up 14-1 at halftime. The 15-goal margin of victory was the second largest in NCAA Division II National Championship history.
The Lenoir-Rhyne Women’s Triathlon team captured the first women’s National Championship in school history at the USAT Nationals on November 12, 2022. The team posted a team score of 268 to finish ahead of Colorado Mesa and Wingate. With the win, Harley Mason was named National Coach of the Year and Eliska Rihova brought home National Freshman of the Year honors. On the year, the Bears would have six named All-Americans and the program would go on to earn Scholar All-American honors.
Read the 2023 Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Lacrosse team proclamation here.
Read the 2022 Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Triathlon team here.
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