Race Coverage

Collegians Set the Pace at Maple Grove...

Monday, 28 August 2017 19:10

MAPLE GROVE TRIATHLON - August was cancelled, thus Autumn came early this year. Last weekend's weather certainly proved this. It couldn't have been more Octobery than it was at Weaver Lake Park in Maple Grove on Saturday. It was chilly and drizzly and as grey as the greyist thing you can think of. (Insert your own simile here.)

Though a few hundred athletes stayed in warm and snug in their respective beds, approximately 700 triathletes, and 50-or-so duathletes descended on the otherwise gorgeous park and participated in the 8th edition of the Maple Grove Triathlons (Olympic, Sprint, Super Sprint and Duathlon).

And guess what? A lot of folks turned in terrific performances.

Setting the brisk pace in the Olympic race were a triumvirate of talented collegians from Iowa State University. Cyclones took the Top 3 places in the men's race, including REECE LINDER's winning 1:55:58, the second fastest men's clocking ever on this course. Even more awesome is the fact that Linder is only 18-years-old.

Bright future, huh!

Another ISUer, 2017 US Junior of the Year MAEGHAN EASLER, now 20, rocked the women's Olympic contest, winning is 2:10:37, which like LInder's performance, was the second fastest time for her gender here a the MGO....

National class Minnesotans rocked the next three places, starting with KORTNEY HAAG's 2:11:57, and followed by MAGGIE WEISS' 2:12:33 and DIANE HANKEE's masters record 2:13:33. All of these women are destined to receive nominations in various categories at season's end.

Other Minnesotans who were totally impressive included JOE ADRIAENS (photo), who won the Premier Men's division, and placed 4th overall when the open and College races were scored together. His time was 1:59:05. This list also features JAKE BRAAM, who probably cemented a Rookie of the Year nomination with his 8th place / 2:04 finish.

KRISTINA SWENSON, 20, and CINDY BLACKSTOCK, 45, also made us, and many others, proud with their awesome performances. Kristina finished 8th overall for the women, her 2:20:46 a resounding personal best at this distance. Cindy, cancer survivor and wife of co-director Frank Blackstock, placed 9th in the women's race and lowered the 45-49W course record from 2:23:35 to 2:21:14.

In addition to the AG records that were set by LINDER (19UM), HANKEE (40-44W / Overall Master) and BLACKSTOCK (45-49W), ERIC CHABIN took a 3:50 bite out the prior 50-54M race best.

The Maple Grove Sprint, and the other MG events, will be covered on MTN later this week.  RESULTS