Race Coverage

Collegians & Cincogenarians...

Wednesday, 31 August 2016 05:10

Photo - Men's Sprint Podium (L-R): Thomas Anderson III, Michael Weissenborn, Craig Moscetti.

LIFE TIME TRI - MAPLE GROVE TRIATHLON - Collegiate athletes dominated the men's Top 10 at the 7th annual Maple Grove Olympic at rainy Weaver Lake Park last Saturday. Starting with the University of Iowa's Joey Hassett (1:58:39--19U CR), College guys swept the podium--Marquette U's Elliot Slade (1:59:18) and Wisconsin's Brad Woodford (2:01:19)--as well as 5th, 7th and 9th places.

Blaine's Chris Tatton was the first Premier Division finisher, placing 4th and covering the 1.5K-37K-10K route in 2:01:26.Tatton has placed in the Top 5 in four of the five races he's done in 2016.

Following up her 3rd place performance at Timberman 70.3 in picturesque Gilford, New Hampshire (PR - 4:43!) the previous weekend, Erin Hyndman-Farrens won the women's Olympic contest by almost a two minute margin over Sheena Dauer. Hyndman-Farrens has two...

victories this season, the other happening at Toughman Minnesota a few weeks back. Lack of racing volume is all that has kept her off Team Minnesota in the past, but that is not an issue this year. She will also receive serious consideration for a "Most Improved" nomination.

Placing 3rd for the Olympic women was Kristin Gustafson, who learned recently that she has MS. Sometimes she has bad days where dexterity and mobility are difficult. And sometimes she has VERY good days, like she did at Maple Grove. (FYI - Kristin is one of the awesomest people we know.)

Michael Weissenborn continued his winning ways by placing first in the Maple Grove Sprint 34 seconds ahead of Craig Moscetti, who is enjoying a breakout season. Weissenborn has entered five multis this season and won four of the them. We're predicting that Moscetti will win a race or two, perhaps more, in 2017.

The final men's podium spot was earned by Thomas Anderson III, who then duplicated his bronze medal effort the next day at Lakes Country.

The deepest field of the day was in the women's Sprint. Once again, the amazing Cheryl Zitur, now 51, finished on Top, with Jess Rossing, who is totally in Love, once again placing 2nd.

Laura Swartz, 50, rounded out the women's podium, demonstrating that Minnesota has more than its share of national class cincogenarian females, i.e. Zitur, Swartz, Julia Weisbecker, Jan Guenther, Tracy Serreyn....

The 2nd annual Maple Grove Du was won handily by effervescent tri/du coach Mike Buenting, and Michelle Eversman, who, according to her FB page loves Jazz and laments the cancellation of "American Idol."

Despite the weather, which ranged from grey and mild, to just plain yucky, almost 1000 athletes finished this annual classic. RESULTS