Race Previews

Epic Possibilities...Updated...

Wednesday, 15 July 2015 00:10

HEART OF THE LAKES PREVIEW - The 30th edition of this classic event, the State Tri Championships since 1996, promises to be super competitive. On the men's side, it is possible for this year's field to match a record that happened in 2009: Six men broke 1:30 in the long course. Since '09, only one guy--DKT--has dipped under the magic 90-minute mark....

For the aforementioned record to be matched, weather will have to be cooperative. Heat, wind and humidity cannot be oppressive and swim times need to be fast.

Here are the guys that we think can break 1:30 on Sunday:

1. DAVID THOMPSON - He owns the CR (1:25:26, set in 2009) and has broken 90 five times. A win here will be the 97th of his career.

2. DAN HEDGECOCK - Hedge has won this race twice and his PR is 1:30:00. Is he fit enough to have a fast race on Sunday? We'll see.

3. MATTHEW PAYNE - Last year's amateur champ has a PR of 1:29:48 on this course. He's never been fitter or faster than he is right now. Pros Thompson and Hedgecock better be on their games if they want to beat him.

4. KEVIN  O'CONNOR - At 44, Kevin is racing like a banshee. His PR on this course is a goodie: 1:28:17.

5. JOSH BLANKENHEIM - Though his PR here is 1:34, Josh is on top of his game right now, as he proved in runner-up efforts at Buffalo Olympic and Capitol City. Yes, we believe he's capable of busting 90-minutes.

6. BENNETT ISABELLA - This guy has won two races this year and we think that the abovementioned guys can pull Bennett to a very fast time.

These guys will need a good push and they should get it from guys like Nathan Hoffman, Larry Hosch, Phil English, Steve Sander and a few others. This will be one very exciting race.

And the women's race promises to be awesome, too. As insanely competitive as last weekend's Minneapols Tri was, HOLT should be just as competitive. On paper, eight women were viable candidates for the win at Lake Nokomis. We think that at least seven women will vy for the top spot on Sunday. They are:

1. SUZIE FOX - The winningest woman in Minnesota right now, Suzie has won HOLT twice. If her cramping issue doesn't get in the way on Sunday, she will be hard to beat, and if someone does manage to beat her, they'd probably have to break 1:41 to do it.

2. BRIDGET McCOY - Bridge has gone up at least two levels this year, as she proved with her decisive win at Minneapolis last week. Suzie brought out the best in her at Lake Waconia. Bridget will have to bring out the best in Suzie on Sunday if Fox is going to claim another win. Otherwise, McCoy would finish on top.

3. CHRISTINA ROBERTS - She was a close 3rd here in 2014 and is coming off a 2nd at Minneapolis. We expect her to run a few women down.

4. KORTNEY HAAG - Luck hasn't been on her side this season. She needs a great race and has podiumed twice here in the past. Think of her as a wounded animal. Her competition better beware.

5. LISA LENDWAY - This year's Trinona champ appears to be healing nicely after a boo-boo that messed up her right knee. She looked good at Minneapolis. She'll look even better next Sunday.

6. DIANE HANKEE - Like Kort, Diane is hungry for a redemptive effort. She's raced well here in the past--2nd in 2010--and the fact that the swim is only a half mile plays to her strengths.

7. SHEENA DAUER - She's a wild card and is not signed-up for the Elite Wave. She wasn't an elite waver at Apple either and finished on the podium. She's coming off a big win at Graniteman. Don't be surprised if Dauer picks up a Most Improved nomination at the conclusion of the season.

ALSO: HOLT Sprint's clear faves, in our opinion, are defending champ Nicole Cueno and Matt Radniecki. This event is part of the inaugural Metro Sprint Series. RACE WEBSITE

ED. We got this e-mail earlier today: