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Women of Yesteryear...

Monday, 30 March 2015 01:10

Photo - Two-time Minnesota Triathlete of the Year, Wendy Woods-Peterson.

Women of Yesteryear - Back on March 17, MTN published a story about several of the men who represented Team Minnesota prior to 2010, but who haven't been racing locally since then. The point was to not forget those who set the standards in an earlier era. Many of those athletes were true pioneers.

Today we drop some names of the women who rocked the Minnesota scene, and earned spots on Team Minnesota, in the first decade of this century but haven't raced in at least the last five years.

CINDI BANNINK - Ranked 4th on Team Minnesota in 2005, Cindi relocated to Wisconsin in 2006 and immediately established herself as her state's top female amateur. In 2010, Bannink finished 2nd overall at Nationals and earned a USAT AOY HM.

MELANIE CARVELL - A true multisport pioneer, this loveable North Dakotan made at least two editions of Team Minnesota, the last being in 2005. Her book, "Running with the Antelope," published in 2014, is awesome.

MARLO CROSBY - Winner of numerous MMAs, Marlo was ranked #1 on Team Minnesota in 2006....

EMILY DEPPE-FINANGER - Former Minnesota Rookie of the Year and Triathlete of the Year, Emily met Lars at the MMA banquet in 2005 and they moved to Colorado in 2006.

DARCY FRANKLIN - Darcy earned berths on Team Minnesota in 2006 and 2007. She raced sparingly over the next two years and stopped racing (multisports) after the 2009 season.

JEANNE FLECK - Rookie of the year in 2007 and Master of the Year and Most Improved in 2008, Jeanne made Team Minnesota in two of the three of the years she raced. She left triathlon after the 2009 because of back problems.

KIM FORDHAM-LIEN - Two-time Team Minnesota member, Kimmie is a former AG Duathlon World Champ (2002). She left the sport after the 2008 season. These days she does horse stuff.

SARA KOLPIN - In 2005, Sarah won the Rookie of the Year and Duathlete of the Year awards. She was also ranked #1 on Team Minnesota, the only time a rookie has done that.In fact, only four women--Kolpin, Jenny Shaughnessy (2010), Ruth Brennan Morrey (2011) and Nicole Heininger (2013)--have made Team Minnesota in their first year of racing. Medical school demands reduced Sarah racing opportunities in 2009, after which she relocated to Pittsburgh. FYI, Kolpin WON the amateur title at Du Worlds in Canada in 2006.

TINA PAULSON (Photo R) - At the beginning of the 21st century, Tina made Team Minnesota twice before relocating to California to pursue a career as a pro triathlete.

JENNY SCHAUGHNESSY - Arguably the best female rookie triathlete that Minnesota has ever produced, Jenny left the state after her first season in 2010 (Ranked #3 on Team MN) to pursue her doctorate at Duke.

MARY BETH TUTTLE - An extraordinary endurance athlete, Mary Beth earned a spot on Team MInnesota in 2007. She left the sport after the 2009 season in order to do other stuff.

MARNIE WALTH - Bismarck's Walth has made Team Minnesota on several occasions and has been ranked in the Top 3 twice. She has raced very sparinglyly on this side of the border since 2009.

WENDY WOODS-PETERSON - A two-time Minnesota Triathlete of the Year, Wendy was ranked #1 on Team Minnesota in 2003. She stopped racing after the 2004 season to make many babies. There's a rumor floating around, because that's what rumors do, that she may return to the sport. We hope that happens.