Race Coverage

Hoots & Shells....

Saturday, 27 July 2019 23:10

HOOT LAKE TRIATHLON - Fergus Fallsian JOELLEN KOHLMAN-PETRICK did not thave her best race here in 2018, but she avenged that 5th place effort with a victory there yesterday. She was 10 minutes faster this time than last, which is saying something. According to the results, this year's bike course was two miles longer than the route used in 2017 and 2018. (The event returned to the course used in 2016 and earlier.)

Joellen is an intrepid person. Sometimes she stands on her head on her paddleboard. (photo)

Fellow local RHODA CHRISTENSON placed 2nd for her gender, with Cal-Berkeley triathlete (from Salt Lake City) JULIA SHERMAN, 19, taking 3rd. Christenson won this race in 2013 and matched yesterday's 2nd back in 2015.

For the second year in a row, flamboyant South St. Paul resident COREY NYGAARD threw down a silver medal effort. In 2018, it was future pro / Minnesota Rookie of the Year KEEGHAN HURLEY who took top honors. Yesterday, it was former collegiate standout SPENCER SYVERTSON that nailed first place. Spencer has won half of his last eight tri starts....

MITCH WELLMAN took the final men's podium spot, which had to feel good. His previous best placing here was a 6th in 2016.

One hundred and sixty-one athletes finished this year's race.. RESULTS 

SHELL LAKE TRIATHLON - It's becoming commonplace to see Masters, and some Grand Masters, too, rock socks in regional tris. At yesterday's Shell Lake Sprint, only one under-40 athete cracked the overall Top 10 (JASON THOMAS, 39, Winchester, Kentucky).

Less surprising was the fact that four of the Top 5 finishers reside on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River.

BILL KELLEY, 47, of Wrenshall, was first to break tape, though he had to overtake eventual 2nd placer/ Brewhouse Triathlon founder ROD RAYMOND, 54, during the final leg (3.4 mile run) to do it. (Raymond lstarted in an earlier wave, thus was unaware of what Kelly was doing.) Kelley's win came on the heels of his runner-up performance a Moose Lake two weekends ago.

Raymond, who is one  of Minnesota's true triathlon pioneers, raced at Eau Claire Sprint last month, where he placed 4th overall and claimed the overall Masters title.

Third overall was earned by elite Master DIANE HANKEE, 42. The victory was her 2nd (in five starts) this season, and 34th of her stellar career. This is a twofer weekend for the amiable Canadian transplant. She is also registered for Chisago Sprint.

Placing 2nd and 3rd in the women's race were KATIE SCHAUS, 57, of Hayward, and CHERYL BARKER, 50, of Hudson. Schaus is an infrequent swim-bike-run racer, though she never fails to impress when  she shows up.

The same can certainly be said for Barker, who placed 3rd at Eau Claire last month.

One-hundred and thirty-four athletes finished the Shell Lake Triathlon, which enjoyed friendly weather this year.  RESULTS