FEATURES

Bypassing Anonymity...

Tuesday, 15 December 2015 00:10

Few triathletes fare well in their first season as a professional. Most need a few seasons to learn what they need to know, grow as an athlete, then take their place among the true elite of our sport. These folks have to deal with temporary anonymity.

St. Paul's HEATHER LENDWAY is not one of those people. Her rookie season as a pro demonstrated unequivocally that she deserves her license. We know this because she placed well against established stars in 2015, AND because her margin of victory over the top placing amateur women in those races was ridiculously large. In other words, she has outgrown amateur competition.

Let's break down her tri season, one that should put her in the running for the Elite Rookie of the Year award....

- 2nd @ Las Olas International (FL) behind Leanda Cave (photo above), who had to overtake her in the late stages of the run. HL's time was 7:10 faster than the first amateur, Ola Besser, who turned pro immediately after the race.

- 3rd @ St. Anthony's (FL) behind superstars Alecia Kay and Magali Tisseyre. HL beat the first amateur women, Sarah Alexender, by 8:10. Alexander is being considered for 2015 USAT AOY.

- 8th @ Challenge Knoxville (70.3) - HL beat the top amateur woman by 17:37.

- 2nd @ Pigman Sprint behind Jackie Hering who had a breakout season in 2015. HL beat the first amateur--Sarah Alexander--by 1:14.

- 1st @ Copper Creek Sprint (IA) - HL beat our state's amateur TOY Suzie Fox by 1:36.

- 5th @ New Your City - HL beat the top amateur by 10:37.

- 1st @ Toughman Sprint - HL beat the top amateur, Nicole Heininger, by 1:50.

- 1st @ YWCA Women's Tri - HL Beat top amateur, Christina Roberts, by 4:14.

- 4th @ Challenge Penticton (CAN) (We have not found the amateur results.)

- 1st @ Square Lake Short Course - Despite riding long, HL beat the first amateur woman by 6-minutes.

- 2nd @ Silverman 70.3 (NV) - HL beat the top amateur --Skye Murphy, who is being considered for USAT AOY HM--by 25:34.

- 1st @ One Last Tri - HL won by 14:33.

- 4th @ Austin 70.3 (TX) - HL beat the top amateur by 23:34.

Once again, these results demonstrate that she has outgrown amateur competition and is already flirting with true stardom as a pro.