Huddleston, Va. - St. Thomas Aquinas College triathletes Tylor Brino-Dean and Chanelle Russell have been overcoming obstacles all season long, and the trend continued on their trip to the East Regional Qualifer this past weekend. While in transit to Smith Mountain Lake, the Spartans van suffered a tire blow out that required an unscheduled stop at the local automotive repair shop. The delay resulted in the duo arriving to the race site four and half hours late, which meant no opportunity to preview the course before Saturday's big race.

The next day, the streak of unfortunate luck continued, as heavy rain falling on the course made for slick conditions. However, the resilience and fight of the Spartans was on full display and the fortunes of both Brino-Dean and Russell changed in the most dramatic way possible.

In heat one, Chanelle Russell had one of her best swims of the season and fought extremely hard the rest of the race to cross the finish line in the first of what will be many regional events to come. "Sunshine" as she is affectionately called by her coaches and teammates was rewarded for her efforts all season, as the Kingson, Jamaica native qualified for the upcoming USAT National Championships.

Joining Russell in Tempe, Arizona will be Tylor Brino-Dean. Brino-Dean's heat two race featured the fastest varsity athletes in the east, and the Harrisonburg, Virginia native worked hard all season to earn her spot in the field. Brino-Dean performed admirably and finished in a time that would have challenged for the win in heat one, placing 24th overall.

As mentioned, Chanelle Russell and Tylor Brino-Dean will make their way to Tempe, Arizona, along with Coaches Boyer and Lubaszka, for the Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships, which will be held on November 11.