This past weekend, George Mason Triathlon completed its season at USAT Collegiate Nationals in Tempe, Arizona. The club sent four competitors to Nationals: John Baldwin, Christian Jacky, Brian Quintana, and Alyssa Bilewski. Leading the way for the Patriots was Baldwin who finished 143rd overall with a time of 2:02:48. Baldwin recalls the experience by saying, “the atmosphere was awesome! So many college athletes being masochistic together.” Following behind were Jacky in 2:33:16 and Quintana in 2:46:01, who popped two tires on the bike leg. Bilewski, the only female competitor for Mason, finished with a time of 3:02:12. Freshman Brian Quintana described the swim as more physical than any other race he has completed, “got kicked and pushed around a lot. It was more about survival.” The Sonoran desert weather played a factor. “I think we underestimated the weather conditions,” Bilewski continues by saying, “but if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” Jacky, a Junior, looks forward to doing it all again next year. This race tops off an excellent year for the club who will be hungry for more next season.