Race Previews

Gaby, Becky, Rachel, Paige, Jordan, Dan....

Friday, 31 May 2019 23:10

MADISON 70.3 - We were hoping to post a TRINONA preview today, but we haven't seen an entrant list yet. Hopefully, we'll preview that annual classic in the near future. And because, with the unfortunate cancellation of the Walker Tri, Trinona is the only multi staged on Minnesota soil next weekend, we strongly encourage everyone who hasn't enrolled yet, to do so at their earliest opportunity.

We were perusing the AG registration list for Madison 70.3 on June 9. Unsurprisingly, lots of Minnesotans are enrolled, and we are anxious to see how all of them fare. We expect many of them to rock their AGs.

Let's drop some names.

DANI FISCHER - Formerly from Rochester, Dani has resided in Indianapolis for the last few years but we still follow her career closely. We love her to pieces, and she will always be an honorary Minnesotan. Well, her racing creds speak for themselves. She a former 70.3 National champion with a PR of 4:23. Dani was a close 2nd (to Dani Vsetecka) in 2017, and 3rd here last year. She is our pick to win the women's overall title.

BECKY YOUNGBERG - In 2018 and 2017, weather at Mad 70.3 had truly sucked, thus the various records are soft. Former pro Jessica Jacobs owns the women's masters mark, a 4:56:50.Weather permitting, Becky should take that record down hard. In her last 70.3 (Chisago '18), she placed 2nd in an MR - 4:37:04. Matching that on Madison's challenging course is unrealistic, but breaking 4:50 is possible if she's hitting on all cylinders. ...

GABY BUNTEN - With her victory at Arizona 70.3 last autumn, Gaby proved that she is more than just an Olympic-distance specialist. We are reluctant to predict that she will beat the more-experienced Fischer, but we definitely believe that one of the podium spots has her name on it. In fact, we would not be surprised if Dani, Becky and Gaby take the top 3 spots.

RACHEL ZILINSKAS - This University of Georgia transplant / UM grad student is super talented. She rocked a 6th place finish at ultra-competitive Collegiate Nationals in April. Will she turn some heads in Madison? We're sure of it.

PAIGE SCHULZ (top photo) - With only two tris under her belt, Paige is eligible for 2019 Rookie of the Year consideration. The races she did in 2018 were Chisago (9th in 4:59:03, and IMOO - 10:58:40) suggest that she is a star-in-the-making. We're anxious to see how she does next Sunday,

SHYANNE MCGREGOR - This Duluth mom was a Rookie of the Year nominee in 2018, and Madison 70.3 is her long course debut. We'll be following her closely.

JORDAN ROBY - Jordan has Top 5s at Lake Placid 70.3 and Superior Man. His half IM debut produced a 4:15. Would love to see another Top 5 for the smiley chiropracter.

DAN ARLANDSON - Arlandson has cracked the Top 5 in his last six half IMs. Would love to see Dan pop a 4:25ish time and win the masters title.

Some of the other Minnesotans we will be closely following are JAKE BRAAM, ANDY WIBERG, MAISY WAECH, ERIN LADENDORF, ERIN LAHTI, LISA WACEK and BETH HASSLER (photo R).