Race Coverage

A Manitou Does Not Have Antlers...

Monday, 14 June 2010 07:23

Do you know what "Manitou" means? Neither did we, though we incorrectly assumed it had antlers, until we googled the word. The scary image displayed here IS NOT the Manitou for which the popular triathlon was named. But it does make us want to rent the movie. The un-frightening definition comes from Algonquin culture. A totally cool old Native American deal referring to the interconnection of spirits and balances in nature. That kind of mystical/philosophical stuff.

Here's the Wikipedia LINK

Observations about the 21st Manitou Triathlon, a totally spirited event:

* The event hosted Youth Elite, Junior Elite and Elite Development athletes from all over the U.S. The youngsters put on

a great show. Especially spectacular were the performances of William Huffman, 17, of Colleyville, Texas and Jenn Howland, 17, of Elburn, IL, who won the Elite Development/Junior Elite race. These kids truly demonstrated pro potential, as did Ryan Bice, 19, of Logansport, Indiana, who finished just 10 seconds behind Huffman. Three-time Minnesota Junior of the Year Michael Williams, now 22, finished 4th. John Heinlein (8th), Kyle Serreyn (9th) and 2009 Rookie of the Year Nick Madrinich (10th) were the other Minnesotans who cracked the Top 10. Chaska's Katharine Lowrey, 15, (photo) finished 2nd in the girls Youth Elite race, just 24 seconds behind the victorious Rachel Mann, 14, of Homer Glen, IL. Waconia's Thomas Edwards, 14, who has been very impressive in regional events this season, finished 4th in the boy's Y/E contest. Very cool stuff!

* Cathy Yndestad's win on Sunday was the 43rd of her career and fifth at Manitou. Her time was 1:08:53, the 2nd fastest women's clocking here ever, and her margin of victory was a galumphanous 3:38, the widest by either gender in more than a decade.

* Devon Palmer's winning time was 1:00:50, the 3rd best in race history. His amateur course-record effort here in 2009 marked a turning point, an upswing, if you will, in Devon's career. Five of his eight career wins have been recorded since then. An Honorable Mention for US Athlete of the Year followed by the procurement of a professional license were results of his meteoric emergence.

* Patrick Parish and Kevin O'Connor rounded out the men's podium. Their fast efforts were both exciting and unsurprising. Parish remains undefeated in 2010, winning the amateur title in all four of the races he's entered thus far this season. O'Connor is the event's most successful participant, having won 1/3