Race Coverage

Gage-ing Success...

Friday, 16 February 2024 00:10

Photo - Emily Gage en route to winning at Graniteman Clearwater. We were unable to find photos from yesterday's Big Lake race.

GRANITEMAN BIG LAKE SPRINT COVERAGE - After three years of rainy conditions, mild weather greeted the nearly 300 paricipants who made their way to Big Lake yesterday. In 2022, teen triathletes swept the men's sprint podium, and four of the Top 5 spots in the women's competition.

Yesterday, junior boys went 1-2, both in times that were significantly faster than their 2022 performances. Collecting his first career tri win, SEAN PICKLE, 18, overtook fellow future star NOLAN SNYDER, 13, and lapsed pro JOSE ROSALEZ YEPEZ on the bike, creating a margin that couldn't be closed. Sean cruised to the finish line in 1:08:43, which was 2:21 faster than his 2022 runner-up effort.

It was the 13-year-old Snyder who held onto second place, one spot better than his 2022 effort. His time was 1:11:19, which was 1:51 better than last's year's...

Only one female junior cracked the women's Top 5 this year. ISABEL MAHONEY, 18, took fourth behind KAYLYNN KENUTIS, who placed 7th at Buffalo in early June. The top two spots were hotly contested during the first two phases, with Graniteman Clearwater Sprint winner EMILY GAGE opening a very slight lead over last year's BL Sprint winner BETTE ROWLEY. Rowley, however, pulled ahead on the bike. When she sped out of T2 it looked like she was in control of the race. Then Gage, looking resolute, started her run, her stride easy and very smooth.

We were very impressed with Gage at Clearwater, but yesterday she proved that her intense training this year has delivered her to the next level. She did manage to overtake Rowley and cruise to her second win in three starts this season, her time--1:12:18--besting all but four winning times in the 13-year history of this race. 

Rowley' eventual time was a goodie, too. 1:12:57, which bettered her 2022 winning time by1:50.

Age Group records were lowered by LISA HINES (60-64W), BETHANY COLLINS (65-69W), DENNY ELLINGSEN (70-74M) and CAROL GRAGERT (70-74W).  RESULTS

Graniteman Big Lake Olympic coverage will post on MTN's Facebook page later today.