The 2009 BOUS Qualifiers, as well as the site for the 2009 National Championship, will be announced in December. Most of the 2008 qualifying events are back on board. And every state will have its own qualifier. (Wyoming athletes will not have to travel to West Yellowstone, MT this year. We're pleased to announce that the Cheyenne Sprint Triathlon will host this year's WY Qualifier.)

Several BOUS veterans turned in great performances at the 3rd annual Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, FL on November 8:

2008 MEN:

* Christopher Thomas (CT) - 1st 35-39/ 14th overall (4:02:48)
* David Slavinski (NJ) - 2nd 35-39 / 15th overall (4:03:59)
* Vinnie Monseau (WV) - 4th 35-39 / 19th overall (4:05:16)
* Bruce Gennari (TN) - 2nd 40-44 / 37th overall (4:10:13)
* Mark Harms (WI) - 8th 30-34 / 48th overall (4:11:37)
* Philippe Kozub (MD) - 11th 30-34 / 58th overall (4:12:39)
* Dennis Reardon (GA) - 15th 35-39 / 104th overall (4:18:01)

2008 WOMEN:

* Sydney Cornell (CO) - 3rd 35-39 / 18th overall (4:33:38)
* Cindi Bannink (WI) - 10th 30-34 / 36th overall (4:39:12)
* Amanda Erwin (OK) - 15th 35-39 / 70th overall (4:47:30)
* Kristel Maes (GA) - 18th 30-34 / 81st overall (4:50:08)
* Cheryl McMurray (VA) - 13th 40-44 / 84th overall (4:50:52)

206 WOMEN:

* Kimberley Westbrook (SC) - 9th 45-49 / 122nd overall (4:56:32)

(FULL RESULTS HERE!)

Breakthrough performances by West Virginia's Vinnie Monseau and Mississippi's Margot Hair delivered this twosome to the finish line at the Best of the US National Championship ahead of the most competitive head-to-head amateur fields assembled for an American triathlon in 2008.

The event,which started and finished at Tempe Beach Park in Tempe, Arizona, a beautiful and dynamic suburb of Phoenix, consisted of an 800m swim, 32 mile bike and 6.55 mile run, and was wonderfully produced by Red Rock Company. Skies were clear, wind was negligible and temperatures were mild, all of which portended fast times.

And the times were sizzling.

Monseau, known for his leg-speed, broke away from the lead group at mile one of the run and never looked back. Had he done so, he would have noticed the ever-shrinking images of pursuers Christopher Thomas (CT), uber-master Brian Bich (MN), Rick Fesler (PA), Roger Thompson (WA) and defending BOUS champ Philippe Kozub (MD). Monseau was absolutely exuberant when he crossed the line 1:23 ahead of Thomas. Bich triumphantly rounded out the podium, becoming the first master in the four-year history of the race to crack the overall top 3.

Three weeks earlier Margot Hair and Illinios' Elizabeth Ott experienced frustrating mechanical problems at the Dallas US Open Triathlon. Ott was forced to DNF. Hair lost a dozen minutes while her bike was being repaired. The only thing that could knock the chips off these girls' shoulders were huge performances at BOUS.

With the rest of the field in arrears, Hair and Ott turned the final corner virtually side-by-side and their shoulders newly chip-free. In the end it was Hair who possessed springier legs, ones which carried her to a thrilling 2 second victory. Both women were elated; both were vindicated. And the crowds at the finish line thunderously delivered well-earned congratulations.

New Jersey's fleet-footed Suzanne Huelster, who appears destined to be crowned 2008 US Duathlete of the Year, took the final podium spot ahead of reigning 20-24 National Champion Chris Tommerdahl of North Carolina, a 22-year-old with a blindingly bright future.

Team New Jersey (Dave Slavinski/Suzanne Huelster) was victorious in the Fastest State Team competition, edging Team Illinois (Elizabeth Ott/Colin Riley)by 26 seconds.

Photo gallery by Ron French:
http://flickr.com/photos/azrlf/

Top 10 Men:

1. Vinnie Monseau (WV)- 2:03:23
2. Christopher Thomas (CT) - 2:04:46
3. Brian Bich, 42 (MN) - 2:04:56
4. Rick Fesler (PA)- 2:05:06
5. Dave Slavinski (NJ) - 2:05:22
6. Philippe Kozub (MD) - 2:05:29
7. Mark Harms (WI)- 2:05:52
8. Luis De La Torre, 40 (HI) - 2:06:21
9. Colin Riley (IL) - 2:06:25
10. Bill Reeves, 41 (NH) - 2:06:25

Top 10 Women:

1. Margot Hair (MS) - 2:19:53
2. Elizabeth Ott (IL) - 2:19:55
3. Suzanne Huelster (NJ) - 2:20:32
4. Chris Tommerdahl (NC) - 2:21:07
5. Kirsten Sass (TN) - 2:21:21
6. Amanda Erwin (OK) - 2:21:24
7. Cindi Bannink (WI) - 2:22:44.3
8. Beth Schutt (PA) - 2:22:44.9
9. Kathy Rakel (AZ) - 2:22:56
10. Shannon Donley (AK) - 2:23:21

Top 5 State Teams:

1. New Jersey (David Slavinksi / Suzanne Huelster)
2. Illinois (Colin Riley / Elizabeth Ott)+:26
3. Pennsylvania (Rick Fesler / Beth Schutt)
4. Wisconsin (Mark Harms / Cindi Bannink)
5. Tennessee (Bruce Gennari / Kirsetn Sass)

Competer Individual Results: http://www.ceptiming.com/2008/misc165/08Soma-Quarter-BestAll.txt

Team Results: http://www.ceptiming.com/2008/misc165/08Soma-Quarter-Best-Team.txt


UNOFFICIAL RESULTS - BEST OF THE U.S. RESULTS

SOMA TRIATHLON
PRESENTED BY:
RED ROCK RACING

SPONSORED BY:
SOMA RESTAURANT GROUP

HALF IRON DISTANCES = 1.2 MILE SWIM - 56 MILE BIKE - 13.1 MILE RUN
SPRINT DISTANCES = 1000 METER SWIM - 30 MILE BIKE - 6.55 MILE RUN

TEMPE LAKE PARK - TEMPE,AZ.- OCT 26, 2008 - Weather: SUNNY, 80 degrees
TIMING AND SCORING BY: CEP TIMING / WWW.CEPTIMING.COM / (480) 315-1321 / P.O.BOX 30575 / PHOENIX, AZ 85046


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BEST OF THE U.S. DIVISION RESULTS - FEMALE

DIVISION SWIM AFTER BIKE AFTER RUN TOTAL
PLACE PLC/TOT NO. NAME PLC TIME TRAN #1 PLC TRAN#1 PLC TIME TRAN #2 PLC TRAN #2 PLC TIME TIME

1 1/8 1870 MARGOT HAIR 13 12:52.2 1:41.2 19 14:33.4 7 1:36:44.4 2 0:43:09.5 2:19:53.8
2 1/10 1871 ELIZABETH OTT 15 12:59.4 1:07.2 13 14:06.6 7 1:21:30.9 0:55.8 6 1:36:33.1 3 0:43:22.2 2:19:55.3
3 2/10 1853 SUZANNE HUELSTER 29 14:40.3 0:56.2 26 15:36.4 13 1:23:10.1 1:03.6 15 1:39:50.1 1 0:40:42.1 2:20:32.1
4 1/4 1862 CHRIS TOMMERDAHL 2 11:18.5 1:13.7 2 12:32.1 5 1:21:03.1 0:56.5 1 1:34:31.6 19 0:46:35.7 2:21:07.3
5 2/8 1866 KIRSTEN SASS 12 12:51.6 0:59.0 11 13:50.6 2 1:20:23.1 0:53.9 3 1:35:07.5 15 0:46:14.2 2:21:21.6
6 2/10 1896 AMANDA ERWIN 6 12:23.9 1:13.8 6 13:37.6 11 1:23:01.1 1:03.2 9 1:37:41.8 5 0:44:02.5 2:21:44.3
7 3/10 1880 CINDI BANNINK 3 11:39.5 1:09.4 3 12:48.8 16 1:23:48.8 1:07.5 11 1:37:45.0 8 0:44:59.9 2:22:44.9
8 3/8 1852 BETH SHUTT 18 13:08.7 1:16.3 16 14:25.0 12 1:23:07.9 0:58.4 13 1:38:31.2 6 0:44:25.2 2:22:56.4
9 2/4 1898 KATHY RAKEL 7 12:25.8 1:06.2 5 13:31.9 4 1:20:39.6 0:51.4 2 1:35:02.7 24 0:48:17.5 2:23:20.2
10 1/10 1899 SHANNON DONLEY 5 12:17.4 1:13.3 4 13:30.7 3 1:20:37.7 1:03.0 4 1:35:11.3 14 0:46:10.1 2:23:21.4
11 3/10 1895 AMBER MOUNDAY 9 12:34.9 1:05.2 7 13:40.1 10 1:23:00.3 1:02.1 10 1:37:42.4 17 0:46:24.7 2:24:07.0
12 4/10 1877 ANGELA HYGEMA 22 13:47.7 1:00.7 20 14:48.4 1 1:19:24.2 1:00.7 5 1:35:13.3 25 0:48:59.2 2:24:12.4
13 4/10 1869 CHRIS WICKARD 11 12:39.8 1:11.6 12 13:51.3 9 1:22:48.1 1:02.2 8 1:37:41.5 20 0:46:43.4 2:24:24.9
14 5/10 1867 ANDREA MYERS 27 14:26.4 1:00.6 25 15:27.0 15 1:23:35.2 1:05.0 17 1:40:07.0 12 0:45:31.5 2:25:38.5
15 5/10 1882 MARLO MCGAVER 40 17:19.4 1:08.0 40 18:27.3 6 1:21:11.5 1:11.2 18 1:40:49.9 11 0:45:16.9 2:26:06.7
16 6/10 1854 KRISTEL MAES 25 14:20.2 1:04.7 24 15:24.9 14 1:23:24.5 1:04.4 16 1:39:53.7 16 0:46:19.6 2:26:13.2
17 6/10 1888 SYDNEY CORNELL 26 14:25.3 1:19.6 28 15:44.9 17 1:24:51.4 1:01.4 19 1:41:37.6 7 0:44:45.6 2:26:23.1
18 7/10 1884 LESLIE CURLEY 35 15:19.4 1:14.1 34 16:33.4 8 1:21:52.5 1:18.4 14 1:39:44.3 22 0:47:53.1 2:27:37.3
19 8/10 1855 REBECCA STEPHENSON 20 13:34.2 1:28.1 21 15:02.2 21 1:26:57.2 1:03.4 20 1:43:02.7 9 0:45:00.9 2:28:03.6
20 4/8 1887 MORGAN CHAFFIN 17 13:04.8 1:27.3 18 14:32.1 12 1:38:14.6 30 0:50:37.7 2:28:52.3
21 3/4 1874 LISA LEWIS 14 12:58.9 1:30.0 17 14:28.8 29 1:29:36.9 1:17.9 30 1:45:23.5 4 0:43:34.4 2:28:57.8
22 1/6 1860 CHERYL MCMURRAY 37 15:54.2 1:16.5 35 17:10.6 18 1:25:46.2 1:14.5 25 1:44:11.3 10 0:45:07.2 2:29:18.4
23 2/6 1863 SYDNEY MONTSTREAM-QUA 38 15:56.6 1:19.2 36 17:15.7 19 1:26:04.3 1:09.9 27 1:44:29.7 18 0:46:26.3 2:30:56.0
24 3/6 1881 LINDA VIGIL 19 13:10.3 1:09.9 15 14:20.2 25 1:28:40.8 1:09.1 24 1:44:10.1 21 0:47:00.9 2:31:10.9
25 5/8 1893 RACHEL COREY 32 14:50.8 1:42.0 33 16:32.8 22 1:27:27.7 1:15.9 28 1:45:16.4 13 0:46:05.6 2:31:21.9
26 4/6 1897 GRETCHEN MCELROY 30 14:42.4 1:24.0 30 16:06.4 23 1:28:01.2 1:12.3 29 1:45:19.8 23 0:48:16.3 2:33:36.1
27 6/8 1872 JULIE VANZANDT 16 13:01.2 1:07.6 14 14:08.8 26 1:28:49.4 1:06.5 23 1:44:04.6 31 0:51:06.4 2:35:11.0
28 1/2 1889 MELANIE CARVELL 28 14:29.8 1:43.9 31 16:13.6 20 1:26:11.4 1:33.5 22 1:43:58.4 33 0:51:20.4 2:35:18.8
29 7/10 1858 KATHARINE WELLING 4 12:16.0 1:31.0 9 13:47.0 24 1:28:27.8 1:03.8 21 1:43:18.6 35 0:52:19.8 2:35:38.4
30 5/6 1856 NANCY THOMSON 10 12:36.7 1:11.9 10 13:48.6 27 1:29:11.1 1:14.3 26 1:44:13.9 37 0:52:58.3 2:37:12.1
31 8/10 1878 STACY FENNELL 1 11:03.6 1:14.8 1 12:18.4 37 1:35:43.2 1:04.8 33 1:49:06.2 26 0:49:02.7 2:38:08.9
32 6/6 1886 DANA GINSBURG 34 14:57.4 1:30.3 32 16:27.7 28 1:29:34.0 1:59.5 32 1:48:01.1 29 0:50:23.7 2:38:24.8
33 4/4 1861 KRISTEN BEDNAR 24 14:05.4 1:31.3 27 15:36.7 34 1:32:30.7 1:14.6 35 1:49:21.8 27 0:49:04.0 2:38:25.8
34 9/10 1857 KRISTA SCHULTZ 31 14:43.9 1:20.9 29 16:04.8 33 1:31:57.5 1:31.6 36 1:49:33.8 28 0:50:15.8 2:39:49.6
35 7/8 1883 LINDSAY FOX 23 14:03.0 1:19.6 23 15:22.6 31 1:30:31.0 1:23.7 31 1:47:17.2 38 0:53:47.1 2:41:04.3
36 9/10 1873 DENISE GOODE 36 15:52.4 1:25.5 37 17:17.9 32 1:30:32.3 1:17.3 34 1:49:07.4 36 0:52:45.1 2:41:52.4
37 10/10 1859 AMBER CULLEN 21 13:47.0 1:23.2 22 15:10.1 35 1:34:36.9 1:42.9 39 1:51:29.9 32 0:51:20.3 2:42:50.1
38 8/8 1876 SARAH DEMERLY 41 17:34.1 1:23.4 41 18:57.4 30 1:30:20.5 1:20.0 37 1:50:37.8 40 0:56:12.6 2:46:50.4
39 1/1 1885 HANNAH VERNON 8 12:26.5 1:16.4 8 13:42.8 36 1:35:09.5 1:46.0 38 1:50:38.2 41 1:01:58.9 2:52:37.0
40 10/10 1868 KATIE WHITE 33 14:54.1 3:13.4 38 18:07.5 38 1:38:38.9 1:41.4 40 1:58:27.6 39 0:55:40.8 2:54:08.4
41 2/2 1851 MARGARET COLVIN 39 16:57.7 1:19.8 39 18:17.5 39 1:48:52.3 2:06.0 41 2:09:15.7 34 0:51:34.7 3:00:50.4

DNS - Leslie Myers (VT). Allison Poe (KY), Tracy Orcutt (WA-injury), Maggie Pickhardt (AR)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BEST OF THE U.S. DIVISION RESULTS - MALE

DIVISION SWIM AFTER BIKE AFTER RUN TOTAL
PLACE PLC/TOT NO. NAME PLC TIME TRAN #1 PLC TRAN#1 PLC TIME TRAN #2 PLC TRAN #2 PLC TIME TIME

1 1/13 1935 VINNIE MONSEAU 27 12:24.9 1:11.5 26 13:36.3 2 1:12:50.0 0:49.9 9 1:27:16.2 2 0:36:06.9 2:03:23.0
2 2/13 1905 CHRISTOPHER THOMAS 19 11:57.3 0:47.0 13 12:44.2 6 1:13:43.8 0:47.5 8 1:27:15.5 3 0:37:30.6 2:04:46.0
3 1/8 1932 BRIAN BICH 3 1:27:08.2 4 0:37:47.9 2:04:56.0
4 1/5 1902 RICK FESLER 26 12:21.8 0:58.2 19 13:20.0 3 1:13:01.8 0:46.9 4 1:27:08.6 6 0:37:57.5 2:05:06.0
5 3/13 1903 DAVE SLAVINSKI 24 12:15.8 0:50.6 18 13:06.3 19 1:16:12.9 0:51.1 22 1:30:10.1 1 0:35:12.1 2:05:22.2
6 1/8 1907 PHILIPE KOZUB 8 11:01.5 0:46.9 5 1:27:09.6 11 0:38:20.0 2:05:29.6
7 2/8 1930 MARK HARMS 7 10:54.0 1:03.4 6 11:57.3 9 1:14:27.2 0:52.3 10 1:27:16.7 12 0:38:35.4 2:05:52.1
8 2/8 1950 LUIS DE LA TORRE 13 11:20.0 1:35.3 15 12:55.2 10 1:14:32.3 0:59.2 15 1:28:26.6 5 0:37:55.2 2:06:21.8
9 1/3 1921 COLIN RILEY 17 11:52.4 1:06.2 16 12:58.6 5 1:13:30.3 0:54.4 12 1:27:23.2 13 0:39:01.9 2:06:25.1
10 3/8 1909 BILL REEVES 2 10:33.7 1:02.5 13 1:27:24.2 14 0:39:43.7 2:07:07.9
11 4/13 1942 ROGER THOMPSON 10 11:04.5 0:50.8 5 11:55.3 4 1:13:24.4 0:49.6 1 1:26:09.2 24 0:41:47.9 2:07:57.0
12 4/8 1916 BRUCE GENNARI 1 10:11.7 1:04.2 1 11:15.8 14 1:15:08.4 0:47.7 7 1:27:11.9 18 0:40:45.4 2:07:57.2
13 5/13 1933 GRANT FOLSKE 30 12:40.6 1:20.3 29 14:00.8 15 1:15:09.5 0:56.1 21 1:30:06.4 7 0:38:00.8 2:08:07.2
14 6/13 1901 DAVE LUSCAN 14 11:30.7 0:54.3 10 12:25.0 8 1:13:58.2 0:48.1 6 1:27:11.2 19 0:40:59.8 2:08:10.9
15 2/5 1910 MICHAEL SEVIER 12 11:16.8 0:56.1 7 12:12.9 25 1:16:59.1 0:53.1 20 1:30:05.0 9 0:38:11.9 2:08:16.9
16 3/8 1917 SCOTT MYERS 34 12:57.5 1:02.9 28 14:00.4 18 1:16:08.7 1:01.4 26 1:31:10.3 8 0:38:09.3 2:09:19.6
17 7/13 1947 CLAY MOSELEY 32 12:49.6 1:07.6 27 13:57.1 7 1:13:49.5 1:06.2 17 1:28:52.7 17 0:40:29.0 2:09:21.6
18 3/5 1937 MARC ELLINGSON 22 12:11.3 0:58.6 28 1:31:19.7 10 0:38:16.9 2:09:36.6
19 4/8 1912 DAVID WILLIAMS 4 10:38.5 1:02.1 2 11:40.6 13 1:14:46.6 0:53.8 11 1:27:21.0 27 0:42:35.7 2:09:56.6
20 5/8 1948 CAM HILL 3 10:35.0 1:12.1 3 11:47.0 12 1:14:43.6 0:54.4 14 1:27:25.0 28 0:42:38.8 2:10:03.8
21 4/5 1911 MATT MIGONIS 23 12:11.9 1:09.5 20 13:21.4 16 1:15:33.6 1:01.4 19 1:29:56.3 16 0:40:09.2 2:10:05.4
22 5/8 1924 JOE COMPANY 28 12:26.4 0:56.5 21 13:22.9 1 1:12:47.4 0:57.2 2 1:27:07.5 31 0:43:12.5 2:10:19.9
23 8/13 1927 EDDIE BRANIGAN 11 11:10.4 1:05.9 8 12:16.2 17 1:15:41.8 0:54.1 16 1:28:52.1 23 0:41:47.6 2:10:39.7
24 9/13 1931 PATRICK BALDWIN 20 12:10.2 1:18.4 24 13:28.5 24 1:16:58.0 1:09.4 29 1:31:35.9 15 0:39:48.4 2:11:24.2
25 6/8 1926 MATTHEW WEST 9 11:03.1 1:25.8 11 12:28.9 22 1:16:48.7 0:59.7 24 1:30:17.1 22 0:41:45.6 2:12:02.6
26 2/3 1919 LUKE BEASLEY 15 11:36.7 1:09.9 14 12:46.6 20 1:16:29.7 1:02.8 25 1:30:19.0 26 0:42:08.9 2:12:27.8
27 3/3 1918 BEN HALL 25 12:18.4 1:09.0 23 13:27.4 23 1:16:51.4 0:52.9 27 1:31:11.6 25 0:41:51.2 2:13:02.8
28 6/8 1949 FRED WEST 21 12:10.7 1:16.0 22 13:26.7 11 1:14:43.2 1:04.7 18 1:29:14.5 33 0:45:21.0 2:14:35.4
29 10/13 1904 DENNIS REARDON 29 12:36.0 0:52.9 25 13:28.8 28 1:19:27.4 0:59.0 30 1:33:55.1 20 0:41:00.0 2:14:55.1
30 7/8 1940 JASON CRISP 33 12:50.6 1:33.2 31 14:23.8 29 1:19:48.1 0:56.2 32 1:35:08.0 21 0:41:10.7 2:16:18.7
31 11/13 1908 MARK WOODY 16 11:39.9 1:01.9 12 12:41.7 21 1:16:38.5 0:55.8 23 1:30:15.9 34 0:46:23.0 2:16:38.9
32 12/13 1946 CHRISTIAN BALLARD 5 10:39.7 1:08.0 4 11:47.7 31 1:34:26.4 30 0:43:01.4 2:17:27.7
33 7/8 1943 PETER NEY 6 10:43.3 1:39.9 9 12:23.1 26 1:17:03.2 2:17:51.2
34 5/5 1914 LUCAS MOORE 35 13:55.6 1:27.9 32 15:23.5 27 1:18:41.7 1:04.0 33 1:35:09.2 32 0:43:14.8 2:18:23.9
35 8/8 1906 JOHN PETERS 18 11:54.4 1:09.4 17 13:03.7 31 1:22:23.3 0:59.3 34 1:36:26.2 29 0:42:55.4 2:19:21.5
36 8/8 1936 CHRIS FETTER 36 14:31.6 1:05.8 33 15:37.4 30 1:21:50.1 1:01.8 35 1:38:29.3 35 0:47:03.0 2:25:32.3
37 13/13 1923 STEPHEN JUDICE 31 12:48.3 1:13.7 30 14:02.0 32 1:26:17.8 1:18.5 36 1:41:38.2 36 0:48:05.7 2:29:43.8

DNS: Craig Greenslit (CO), Barry Knight (KY-injury), Randy Olsen (UT), Ahmed Zaher (TX), Morgan Ramey (AL)

SOMA TRIATHLON
PRESENTED BY:
RED ROCK RACING

SPONSORED BY:
SOMA RESTAURANT GROUP

HALF IRON DISTANCES = 1.2 MILE SWIM - 56 MILE BIKE - 13.1 MILE RUN
SPRINT DISTANCES = 1000 METER SWIM - 30 MILE BIKE - 6.55 MILE RUN

TEMPE LAKE PARK - TEMPE,AZ.- OCT 26, 2008 - Weather: SUNNY, 80 degrees
TIMING AND SCORING BY: CEP TIMING / WWW.CEPTIMING.COM / (480) 315-1321 / P.O.BOX 30575 / PHOENIX, AZ 85046


UNOFFICIAL RESULTS - TEAM CHALLENGE

--------------------------------------------
BEST OF THE U.S. - BY TIME
--------------------------------------------

(must have 2 finishers per State to be shown)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

QUARTERMAN TRI - TEAM RESULTS - MEN + WOMEN COMBINED TEAMS

1. NJ
2:05:23 2:20:33 = 4:25:56
DAVE SLAVINSKI, SUZANNE HUELSTER
2. IL
2:06:26 2:19:56 = 4:26:22
COLIN RILEY, ELIZABETH OTT
3. PA
2:05:06 2:22:57 = 4:28:03
RICK FESLER, BETH SHUTT
4. WI
2:05:53 2:22:45 = 4:28:38
MARK HARMS, CINDI BANNINK
5. TN
2:07:58 2:21:22 = 4:29:20
BRUCE GENNARI, KIRSTEN SASS
6. MN
2:04:56 2:26:07 = 4:31:03
BRIAN BICH, MARLO MCGAVER
7. NC
2:09:57 2:21:08 = 4:31:05
DAVID WILLIAMS, CHRIS TOMMERDAHL
8. CT
2:04:46 2:28:04 = 4:32:50
CHRISTOPHER THOMAS, REBECCA STEPHENSON
9. AZ
2:10:04 2:23:21 = 4:33:25
CAM HILL, KATHY RAKEL
10. FL
2:10:40 2:24:13 = 4:34:53
EDDIE BRANIGAN, ANGELA HYGEMA
11. OH
2:09:20 2:25:39 = 4:34:59
SCOTT MYERS, ANDREA MYERS
12. AK
2:14:36 2:21:22 = 4:35:58
FRED WEST, SHANNON DONLEY
13. IN
2:12:28 2:24:25 = 4:36:53
LUKE BEASLEY, CHRIS WICKARD
14. VA
2:08:17 2:29:19 = 4:37:36
MICHAEL SEVIER, CHERYL MCMURRAY
15. NE
2:09:37 2:28:53 = 4:38:30
MARC ELLINGSON, MORGAN CHAFFIN
16. OK
2:17:28 2:21:45 = 4:39:13
CHRISTIAN BALLARD, AMANDA ERWIN
17. MO
2:10:20 2:28:58 = 4:39:18
JOE COMPANY, LISA LEWIS
18. GA
2:14:56 2:26:14 = 4:41:10
DENNIS REARDON, KRISTEL MAES
19. CA
2:11:25 2:31:11 = 4:42:36
PATRICK BALDWIN, LINDA VIGIL
20. NM
2:09:22 2:33:37 = 4:42:59
CLAY MOSELEY, GRETCHEN MCELROY
21. MD
2:05:30 2:39:50 = 4:45:20
PHILIPE KOZUB, KRISTA SCHULTZ
22. NY
2:10:06 2:38:26 = 4:48:32
MATT MIGONIS, KRISTEN BEDNAR
23. OR
2:08:08 2:41:05 = 4:49:13
GRANT FOLSKE, LINDSAY FOX
24. ID
2:17:52 2:31:22 = 4:49:14
PETER NEY, RACHEL COREY
25. NH
2:07:08 2:42:51 = 4:49:59
BILL REEVES, AMBER CULLEN
26. SC
2:16:39 2:35:39 = 4:52:18
MARK WOODY, KATHARINE WELLING
27. WV
2:03:23 2:52:37 = 4:56:00
VINNIE MONSEAU, HANNAH VERNON
28. MA
2:19:22 2:37:13 = 4:56:35
JOHN PETERS, NANCY THOMSON
29. MI
2:12:03 2:46:51 = 4:58:54
MATTHEW WEST, SARAH DEMERLY
30. NV
2:25:33 2:38:25 = 5:03:58
CHRIS FETTER, DANA GINSBURG
31. LA
2:13:03 2:54:09 = 5:07:12
BEN HALL, KATIE WHITE
32. DE
2:08:11 3:00:51 = 5:09:02
DAVE LUSCAN, MARGARET COLVIN
33. ME
2:29:44 2:41:53 = 5:11:37
STEPHEN JUDICE, DENISE GOODE





Tennessee's BOUS female delegate, Kirsten Sass, won the Halfmax National Championship in Nevada on October 18. Her margin of victory over runner-up Maggie Fournier of Wisconsin was 9:32. Defending BOUS champion Philippe Kozub of Maryland, placed 2nd in the men's contest.

BEST OF THE US CHAMPIONSHIP PROMISES TO BE
MOST EXCITING EVER!

(St. Paul, MN – 10/09/2008)–– According to Best of the US co-founder Jerry MacNeil, “the 2008 Championship promises to be the most exciting ever. The women’s race is wide open. Pre-race favorites were victorious in each of the first three Championships. This year, there is no clear favorite. Any of at least dozen or so women can win.” When challenged to come up with 12 names, MacNeil came up with fourteen: “Shannon Donley of Alaska, Elizabeth Ott of Illinois, Amanda Erwin of Oklahoma, Cindi Bannink of Wisconsin, Kirsten Sass of Tennessee, Suzanne Huelster of New Jersey, Chris Tommerdahl of North Carolina, Margot Hair of Mississippi, Beth Schutt of Pennsylvania, Chris Wickard of Indiana, masters star Tracy Orcutt of Washington, Marlo McGaver of Minnesota, Andrea Myers of Ohio. And let’s not forget Kathy Rakel of the Home Team (Arizona).” He was then quick to point out that breakthrough performances are part of the BOUS signature and there are sure to be athletes that are unmentioned here on the 10-step podium.

MacNeil also believes that the race for USAT Male Master of the Year is sure to be influenced, if not actually determined, by what unfolds in Tempe on October 26. “The race-within-the-race between Minnesota’s Brian Bich, 42, Tennessee’s Bruce Gennari, 40, and Hawaii’s Luis De La Torre, 40, could well determine the MOY award. And these are not the only top 40-plussers in the men’s field. Making things even more interesting will be New Hampshire’s Bill Reeves, 41, Kentucky’s Barry Knight, 42, Arizona’s Cam Hill, 41, and Ahmed Zaher, 44 of Texas. Don’t be surprised if a master cracks the overall top 3.”

The top 3 women from the 2007 Championship, all of whom earned USAT AOY Honorable Mention status, will not be racing this year. Katie Ellis (AZ) and Kim Webster (MA) are now licensed pros and Cathy Yndestad is focusing on the Hawaiian Ironman, which is two weeks before the BOUS Champs. On the other hand, the top 3 men from last year’s Championship, are back. Defending champ and runner-up for AOY in 2007, Philippe Kozub (MD) does not expect to repeat, thanks to a brutal work schedule that has severely limited his training. Nevertheless, “muscle memory” (in addition to his win last year, Philippe was 2nd at the 2006 Championship) may be enough to land him on the podium. Ohio’s Scott Myers and Wisconsin’s Mark Harms, last year’s runner-up and third placer, should once again battle for top spots, as should Craig Greenslit of Colorado (2nd at the 2005 BOUS Championship). As in the women’s competition, the list of potential podium (10 spots) finishers is a long one, and includes Rick Fesler (PA), talented newcomer David Slavinski (NJ), Christopher Thomas (CT), Michael Sevier (VA), Joe Company (MO), Roger Thompson (WA), Matt Migonis (NY), Matt West (MI), Eddie Branigan (FL), Todd Menzel (CA), Grant Folske (OR), Vinnie Monseau (WV), Fred West (AK), Clay Moseley (NM) and any of the masters mentioned in the second paragraph.

Here is the 2008 Best of the US Start List:

#1 - Delaware - David Luscan, 36, Rehoboth Beach & Margaret Colvan, 47, Rehoboth Beach
#2 - Pennsylvania - Rick Fesler, 27, Camp Hill & Beth Schutt, 29, Natrona Heights
#3 - New Jersey - David Slavinski, 37, Point Park & Suzanne Huelster, 34, Riverton
#4 - Georgia - Dennis Reardon, 36, Canton & Kristel Maes *, 32, Savannah
#5 - Connecticut - Christopher Thomas *36, Easton & Rebecca Stephenson, 36, Unionville
#6 - Massachusetts - John Peters, 44, Maynard & Nancy Thomson *, 44, Sudbury
#7 - Maryland/DC - Philippe Kozub *, 33, Bethesda & Krista Schultz *, 30, Towson
#8 - Soth Carolina - Mark Woody *, 38, Chapin & Katharine Welling, 34, Spartanburg
#9 - New Hampshire - Bill Reeves, 41, Durham & Amber Cullen, 26, Concord
#10 - Virginia - Michael Sevier, 29, Herndon & Cheryl McMurray, 40, Fairfax
#11 - New York - Matt Migonis, 27, Syracuse & Kristen Bednar, 26, Canton
#12 - North Carolina - David Williams, 31, Durham & Chris Tommerdahl, 22, Chapel Hill
#13- Rhode Island - Syndey Monstream-Quas, 40, Barrington
#14 - Vermont - Luke Moore, Stowe & Leslie Myers, 41, Burlington
#15 - Kentucky - Barry Knight* , 42, Paducah & Alison Poe *, 26 Maysville
#16 - Tennessee - Bruce Gennari *, 42, Brentwood & Kirsten Sass, 29, McKenzie
#17 - Ohio - Scott Myers *, 32, Wellston & Andrea Myers *, 31, Wellston
#18 - Louisiana - Ben Hall *, 17, Ruston & Katie White, 39, Monroe
#19 - Indiana - Luke Beasley, 20, Muncie & Chris Wickard, 37, Crown Point
#20 - Margot Hair *, 28, Diamondhead
#21 - Illinois - Colin Riley, 20, Aurora & Elizabeth Ott, 30, Naperville
#22 - Alabama - Morgan Ramey *, 40, Helena & Julie Vanzandt, 26, Birmingham
#23 - Maine - Stephen Judice *, Dayton & Denise Goode, Portland
#24 - Missouri - Joe Company, Columbia & Lisa Lewis, Chesterfield
#25 - Arkansas - Maggie Pickhardt, 16, Fayetteville
#26 - Michigan - Matt West *,33, Ypsilanti & Sarah Demerly, 26, Dearborn
#27 - Florida - Eddie Branigan *, 36, Vero Beach & Angela Hygema *, 33, Dania Beach
#28 - Texas - Ahmed Zaher, 44, Dallas & Stacy Fennell, 32, Arlington
#29 - Iowa -TBA
#30 - Wisconsin - Mark Harms *, 33, Madison & Cindi Bannink *, 32, Madison
#31 - California - Todd Menzel, Irovine & Linda Vigil, 40, Carlsbad
#32 - Minnesota - Brian Bich *, 42, Duluth & Marlo McGaver, 38, Duluth
#33 - Oregon - Grant Folske, Beaverton & Lindsay Fox, 25, Beaverton
#34 - Kansas - Leslie Curley, 39, Topeka
#35 - West Virginia - Vinnie Monseau, 39, Morgantown & Hannah Vernon, 18, Morgantown
#36 - Nevada - Chris Fetter, 30, Las Vegas & Dana Ginsburg *, 43, Reno
#37 - Nebraska - Marc Ellingson, 25, Omaha & Morgan Chaffin, 25, Omaha
#38 - Colorado - Craig Greenslit *, 39, Berthoud & Sydney Cornell, Parker
#39 - North Dakota - Melanie Carvell, 48, Bismarck
#40 - South Dakota - Jason Crisp, 28, Madison
#41 - Montana - Kristina Smith *, Great Falls
#42 - Washington - Roger Thompson, Spokane & Tracy Orcutt *, 41, Seattle
#43 - Idaho - Peter Ney, Boise & Rachel Corey, Boise
#45 - Utah - Randall Olsen *, 41, St. George & Amber Mounday, 33, Ogden
#46 - Oklahoma - Christian Ballard, 37, Norman & Amanda Erwin, 36, Tulsa
#47 - New Mexico - Clay Moseley *, 37, Los Alamos & Gretchen McElroy, 44, Santa Teresa
#48 - Arizona - Cam Hill *, 41, Fountain Hills & Kathy Rakel, 24, Tucson
#49 - Alaska - Fred West, Anchorage & Shannon Donley, 38, Anchorage
#50 - Hawaii - Luis De La Torre, 40, Kailua Kona

Like the top 10 men and women, the top 5 state teams will receive special awards. In 2005 and 2006, only 2 seconds separated the Fastest State Team (combined times of male & female participant) from its closest challenger. In 2007, however, Team Wisconsin—Mark Harms and Cindi Bannink—were dominant, winning by a margin of 1:56. Harms and Bannink are back to defend. On paper, the teams from PA, NJ, MN, TN, WA and AK should make it difficult for Team WI to repeat.

The Best of the U.S. Amateur Triathlete Competition is produced by Midwest Events, LLC of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

More info:
Trudy Marshall, Executive Director: 651-714-1829 or trudy@midwestevents.com
www.bestoftheustriathletes.com

#1 - Delaware - David Luscan, 36, Rehoboth Beach & Margaret Colvan, 47, Rehoboth Beach
#2 - Pennsylvania - Rick Fesler, 27, Camp Hill & Beth Schutt, 29, Natrona Heights
#3 - New Jersey - David Slavinski, 37, Point Park & Suzanne Huelster, 34, Riverton (BOUS CONGRATULATES SUZANNE ON HER 2ND PLACE OVERALL FINISH AT THE ITU WORLD DUATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS IN RIMINI, ITALY ON SEPTEMBER 28!)
#4 - Georgia - Dennis Reardon, 36, Canton & Kristel Maes *, 32, Savannah
#5 - Connecticut - Christopher Thomas *36, Easton & Rebecca Stephenson, 36, Unionville
#6 - Massachusetts - John Peters, 44, Maynard & Nancy Thomson *, 44, Sudbury
#7 - Maryland/DC - Philippe Kozub *, 33, Bethesda & Krista Schultz *, 30, Towson
#8 - Soth Carolina - Mark Woody *, 38, Chapin & Katharine Welling, 34, Spartanburg
#9 - New Hampshire - Bill Reeves, 41, Durham & Amber Cullen, 26, Concord
#10 - Virginia - Michael Sevier, 29, Herndon & Cheryl McMurray, 40, Fairfax
#11 - New York - Matt Migonis, 27, Syracuse & Kristen Bednar, 26, Canton
#12 - North Carolina - David Williams, 31, Durham & Chris Tommerdahl, 22, Chapel Hill
#13- Rhode Island - Syndey Monstream-Quas, 40, Barrington
#14 - Vermont - Luke Moore, Stowe & Leslie Myers, 41, Burlington
#15 - Kentucky - Barry Knight* , 42, Paducah & Alison Poe *, 26 Maysville
#16 - Tennessee - Bruce Gennari *, 42, Brentwood & Kirsten Sass, 29, McKenzie
#17 - Ohio - Scott Myers *, 32, Wellston & Andrea Myers *, 31, Wellston
#18 - Louisiana - Ben Hall *, 17, Ruston & Katie White, 39, Monroe
#19 - Indiana - Luke Beasley, 20, Muncie & Chris Wickard, 37, Crown Point
#20 - Margot Hair *, 28, Diamondhead
#21 - Illinois - Colin Riley, Aurora & Elizabeth Ott, 30, Naperville
#22 - Alabama - Morgan Ramey *, 40, Helena & Julie Vanzandt, 26, Birmingham
#23 - Maine - Stephen Judice *, Dayton & Denise Goode, Portland
#24 - Missouri - Joe Company, Columbia & Lisa Lewis, Chesterfield
#25 - Arkansas - Maggie Pickhardt, 16, Fayetteville
#26 - Michigan - Matt West *,33, Ypsilanti & Sarah Demerly, 26, Dearborn
#27 - Florida - Eddie Branigan *, 36, Vero Beach & Angela Hygema *, 33, Dania Beach
#28 - Texas - Ahmed Zaher, 44, Dallas & Stacy Fennell, 32, Arlington
#29 - Iowa -TBA
#30 - Wisconsin - Mark Harms *, 33, Madison & Cindi Bannink *, 32, Madison
#31 - California - Todd Menzel, Irovine & Linda Vigil, 40, Carlsbad
#32 - Minnesota - Brian Bich *, 42, Duluth & Marlo McGaver, 38, Duluth
#33 - Oregon - Grant Folske, Beaverton & Lindsay Fox, 25, Beaverton
#34 - Kansas - Leslie Curley, 39, Topeka
#35 - West Virginia - Vinnie Monseau, 39, Morgantown & Hannah Vernon, 18, Morgantown
#36 - Nevada - Chris Fetter, 30, Las Vegas & Dana Ginsburg *, 43, Reno
#37 - Nebraska - Marc Ellingson, 25, Omaha & Morgan Chaffin, 25, Omaha
#38 - Colorado - Craig Greenslit *, 39, Berthoud & Sydney Cornell, Parker
#39 - North Dakota - Melanie Carvell, 48, Bismarck
#40 - South Dakota - Jason Crisp, 28, Madison & Kathy Grady *, 42, Sioux Falls
#41 - Montana - Kristina Smith *, Great Falls
#42 - Washington - Roger Thompson, Spokane & Tracy Orcutt *, 41, Seattle
#43 - Idaho - Peter Ney, Boise & Rachel Corey, Boise
#45 - Utah - Randall Olsen *, 41, St. George & Amber Mounday, 33, Ogden
#46 - Oklahoma - Christian Ballard, 37, Norman & Amanda Erwin, 36, Tulsa
#47 - New Mexico - Clay Moseley *, 37, Los Alamos & Gretchen McElroy, 44, Santa Teresa
#48 - Arizona - Cam Hill *, 41, Fountain Hills & Kathy Rakel, 24, Tucson
#49 - Alaska - Fred West, Anchorage & Shannon Donley, 38, Anchorage
#50 - Hawaii - Luis De La Torre, 40, Kailua Kona

The following members of BOUS '08 start list excelled at USAT Age Group Nationals at Hagg Lake, OR on September 20:

* Mark Harms (WI) - 8th overall / 30-34 National Champion
* Brian Bich (MN) - 9th overall / 2nd master
* Bruce Gennari (TN) - 10th overall / 3rd master
* Craig Greenslit (CO) - 11th overall / 2nd 35-39
* Roger Thompson (WA) - 12th overall / 3rd 35-39
* Christopher Thomas (CT) - 13th overall / 4th 35-39

* Shannon Donley (AK) - 4th woman / 3rd 35-39
* Kirsten Sass (TN) - 7th woman / 2nd 25-29
* Chris Tommerdahl (NC) - 11th woman / 20-24 National Champion
* Cindi Bannink (WI) - 13th woman / 3rd 30-34
* Margot Hair (MS) - 16th woman / 6th 25-29

BOUS Alumni:

* Cathy Yndestad (MN) - 2nd woman / 30-34 National Champion (3rd @ 2007 BOUS Champs)
* Stacey Richardson (NC) -3rd woman / 2nd 35-39 (9th--despite injury--@ 2007 BOUS Champs)
* Lori Deschamps (AK) - 5th woman / 4th 35-39 (8th @ 2007 BOUS Champs)
* Eric Bell (TN) - 4th male / 3rd 25-29 (DNS/Injury @ 2007 BOUS Champs)
* Jens Beck (AK) - 16th male / 5th 35-39 (8th @ 2006 BOUS Champs)

2006 US Athlete the Year and two-time BOUS Championship runner-up, Lotte Branigan, recently learned that she was pregnant with her first child and will give up her Florida berth. Her slot will, once again (a broken collarbone forced Lotte to give up her slot in 2007), go to the talented Angela Hygema, who placed 11th at last year's Championship. Hygema will team up, as in 2007, with Eddie Branigan, Lotte's husband. CONGRATULATIONS LOTTE & EDDIE!

MASSACHUSETTS (Duxbury Beach Triathlon - September 27)

WINNER: Peter Abdinoor, 40, North Andover & Christina Robeson, 33, Gloucester
PASSDOWN #1: Matt Nuffort, 33, Sudbury & Marnie Lawler, 35, Essex
PASSDOWN #2: Carmen Monks, 43, Belmont & Nan Gorton Demaso, 35, Melrose

DELAWARE (Make-A-Wish Triathlon - September 20)

WINNER: DAVE LUSCAN, 36, Rehoboth Beach & Hillary Strachan, 30, Bear
PASSDOWN #1: Kent Buckson, 41, Rehoboth Beach & Heather Nees, 25, Rehoboth Beach
PASSDOWN #2: Patrick Beebe, 38, Rehoboth Beach & Margaret Colvin, 47, Rehoboth Beach

CALIFORNIA (Pacific Coast Triathlon - September 7)

WINNER: Max Biessmann, 23, Irvine & FIONA PETERSON, 35, Laguna Niguel
PASSDOWN #1: TODD MENZEL, Irvine & Linda Vigil, 41, Carlsbad
PASSDOWN #2: Eric Nau, 24, San Diego & Susanne Davis, 37, Carlsbad

NEW HAMPSHIRE (YMCA Trathlon at Clough State Park - September 6)

WINNER: BILL REEVES (41, Durham) & AMBER CULLEN (26, Concord)
PASSDOWN #1: Connor Jennings (Concord) & Sharon Johnston * (North Conway)
PASSDOWN #2: Trent Hayden (Nashua) & Molly Zahr (Bedford)

OREGON (City of Portland International - August 31)

WINNER: GRANT FOLSKE (Beaverton) & LINDSAY FOX (25, Beaverton)
PASSDOWN #1: Nathan Gloag (Bend) &
PASSDOWN #2: Warren Bloomberg (Salem) &

MAINE (Fireman Sprint - August 24)

WINNER: Kurt Purham (Brunswick) & Larissa Boddie (Cumberland)
PASSDOWN #1: Tommy McWalters * (Thorndike) & DENISE GOODE (Portland)
PASSDOWN #2: STEPHEN JUDICE * (Dayton) & Nicole Pisami (Portland)

OHIO (Vermillion Harbour Olympic - August 17)

WINNER: SCOTT MYERS * (Wellston) & Lauren Goldstein-Kral (Shaker Heights)
PASSDOWN #1: Alex Etchill & ANDREA MYERS * (Wellston)
PASSDOWN #2: Jeff Wilson & Sally Price

VIRGINIA (Luray International - August 16)

WINNER: MICHAEL SEVIER, 29, Herndon & CHERYL MCMURRAY. 40, Fairfax
PASSDOWN #1: David Cascio, 46, Reston & Connie Peterson, 43, Harrisonburg
PASSDOWN #2: Eric Lavigne, 32, Leesburg & Amanda Hodgson, 30, Alexandria

ALASKA (Northern Trust Alaska State Triathlon Championship - August 2)

WINNER: FRED WEST & SHANNON DONLEY *
PASSDOWN #1: David Roosa & Larrell Lockard
PASSDOWN #2: Jason Potsander & Jenny Kimball

VERMONT (Lake Dunsmore - August 2)

WINNER: Justin Ryea (Burlington) & Mariana Lara Planas (Colchester)
PASSDOWN #1: LUKE MOORE (Stowe) & Jessie Donovan (Burlington)
PASSDOWN #2: Steve Hare (Middlebury) & Donna Smyers, 50 (Adamant)
ACCEPTED SLOT: LESLIE MYERS, 41, Burlington

MISSOURI (Quartermax - August 2)

WINNER: JOE COMPANY (Columbia) & Kristin Moore (St. Charles)
PASSDOWN #1: Ted Zderic (Columbia) & LISA LEWIS (Chesterfield)
PASSDOWN #2: Rodney Atkinson (Lohman) & Kate Bartemus (Chesterfield)

RHODE ISLAND (Block Island Triathlon - August 2)

ACCEPTED SLOT: SYDNEY MONSTREAM-QUAS, 40, Barrington

NEW JERSEY (New Jersey State Triathlon - July 27)

WINNER: DAVE SLAVINSKI, 37, Point Park & SUZANNE HUELSTER, 34, Riverton
PASSDOWN #1: Steven Back, 26, Cherry & Maijaleena Zucker, 28, Branchburg
PASSDOWN #2: Brendan Jones, 20 & Sarah Dalfol, 29, Far Rockaway

NEBRASKA (Cornhusker State Games - July 27)

WINNER: Vince Koziol, 20, Fullerton & MORGAN CHAFFIN, 25, Omaha
PASSDOWN #1: Jeremy Davis, 28, Omaha & Jodi Seevers, 32, Greta
PASSDOWN #2: Lucas Marshall, 26, Omaha & Kaelly Simpson, 21, Lincoln
PASSDOWN #3: MARC ELLINGSON, 25, Omaha

MISSISSIPPI (Heart O'Dixie - July 26)

WINNER: Hastings Pluckett, 31, Ridgeland & MARGOT HAIR *, 28, Diamondhead
PASSDOWN #1: Clay Curtis, 34, Plantersville & Alisha Wingerter, 30, Jackson
PASSDOWN #2: Larkin Carter, 46, Jackson & Amanda Cassell, 30, Flowood

WASHINGTON (Chalanman Olympic - July 20)

WINNER: ROGER THOMPSON, Spokane & TRACY ORCUTT *, Seattle
PASSDOWN #1: Kalen Darling, Spokane & Audrey Baldesarri, Redmond
PASSDOWN #2: Rob Webster, jr., Tacoma & Tara Boni, Veradale

ILLINOIS (Evergreen Lake Olympic - July 19)

WINNER: Eric Ott & ELIZABETH OTT
PASSDOWN #1: COLIN REILLY & Jennifer Harrison *
PASSDOWN #2: Chris Sweet & Shevaun Fennell

TENNESSEE (Chattanooga Waterfront - July 13)

WINNER: Donny Forsyth, 42, Memphis & KIRSTEN SASS, 29, MacKenzie
PASSDOWN #1: BRUCE GENNARI *, 42, Brentwood & Margaret Finley, 35, Germantown
PASSDOWN #2: Wil Emery, 29, Nashville & Shelby Sheffield, 35, Nashville

KANSAS (Shawnee Mission - July 13)

WINNER: Bob Schloegel, 44, Leawood & Leeann Reed, 38, Lenexa
PASSDOWN #1: Tim Mezger, 30, Prairie Village & Michelle Bales-Woods, 46, Olathe
PASSDOWN #2: Rocky Remy, 28, Prairie Village & Cathy Wood, 44, Lake Quivira
ACCEPTED SLOT: LESLIE CURLEY, 39, Topeka

NEW YORK (Mini-Musselman - July 12)

WINNER: MATT MIGONIS, 27, Syracuse & Julie Rosa, 34, Lafayette
PASSDOWN #1: Kevin Crossman & Valerie Cross
PASSDOWN #2: Paul Fronhofer & Mary Eggers
ACCEPTED SLOT: KRISTEN BEDNAR (Canton)

IDAHO (YMCA Spudman - July 12)

WINNER: Thomas Liby, Boise & RACHEL COREY, Boise
PASSDOWN #1: PETER NEY, Boise & Lori Harvey, Boise
PASSDOWN #2: Jamey Yanik, Sandpoint & Paige Fetzer, Boise

COLORADO (Loveland Lake to Lake - June 29)

WINNER: CRAIG GREENSLIT *, 39, Berthoud & Brooke Davison, 37, Boulder
PASSDOWN #1: Justin Hurd, Fort Collins & SYDNEY CORNELL, Parker
PASSDOWN #2: Craig Howie, Longmont & Terri Walters, Colorado Springs

MINNESOTA (Lake Waconia - June 29)

WINNER: BRIAN BICH, 42, Duluth & MARLO MCGAVER, 38, Duluth
PASSDOWN #1: Devon Palmer, 21, St. Paul & Julie Hull, 36, Farnington
PASSDOWN #2: Curt Wood, 30, Chaska & Kate McCann, 25, Edina

MICHIGAN (Kensington Triathlon - June 29)

WINNER: Matt Wehrman, 30 & Amy Gluck, 37
PASSDOWN #1: Travis Littlejohn, 18 & Carly Day, 26
PASSDOWN #2: MATTHEW WEST * 33 & Samantha Fugate, 21
PASSDOWN #3: SARAH DEMERLY, 25, Dearborn

WEST VIRGINIA (Mountaineer Olympic - June 29)

WINNER: VINNIE MONSEAU, 39, Mogantown & HANNAH VERNON, 18, Morgantown
PASSDOWN #1:
PASSDOWN #2:

INDIANA (Mideast Optimists - June 28)

WINNER: Nathan Truex, 23, Ossian & CHRIS WICKARD *, 37, Crown Point
PASSDOWN #1: LUKE BEASLEY, 20, Muncie & Sandi Allen, 31, Plymouth, IN
PASSDOWN #2: Josh Smith, 27, Muncie & Laurissa Dalrymple, 25, Bluffton

MONTANA (Janet Clarkson - June 21)

WINNER: Bryan Brosious, 20-24, Missoula & KRISTINA SMITH *, 35-39, Great Falls
PASSDOWN #1: Dan Heil, 40-44, Bozeman & Brooke Nelson, 30-34, Bozeman
PASSDOWN #2: Chris Meffley, 20-24, West Yellowstone & Theresa Colley, 25-29, Helena

WYOMING (Janet Clarkson - June 21)

WINNER: Ben Zeller, 25-29, Lovell & Shaena Berlin, 15-19, Jackson

ARKANSAS (Ozark Valley - June 22)

WINNER: John Williams, 35, & Anna Sanders, 27
PASSDOWN #1: Ken Williams, 41, & MAGGIE PICKHARDT, 16
PASSDOWN #2: Ron Schmidt, 41, & Courtney Eyefurd, 18

SOUTH DAKOTA (Dakota Man - June 21)

WINNER: JASON CRISP, 28, Madison & Kim Fordham-Lien, 40, Aberdeen
PASSDOWN #1: Mark Lavin, 30, Sioux Falls & KATHY GRADY, 42, Sioux Falls
PASSDOWN #2: Matt Maxon, 25, Vermillion & Kara Degroot, 29, Sioux Falls

GEORGIA (West Point Lake Triathlon - June 15)

WINNER: DENNIS REARDON, 36, Canton & KRISTEL MAES *, 32, Savannah
PASSDOWN #1: Andrew Leaonard, 24, Atlanta & Kim Dunker, 25, Athens
PASSDOWN #2: Samuel Morgan, 25, Atlanta & Barbara Chandler, 46, Atlanta

WISCONSIN (Wisconsin Titerium - June 15)

WINNER: Chris Wichert, 24, Milwaukee & CINDI BANNINK *, 31, Middleton
PASSDOWN: #1: George Brophy, 41, Madison & Heather Curnutt, 34, Madison
PASSDOWN: #2: Brian Hetzog, 28, Madison & Sarah Kolpin, 27, Madison
PASSDOWN # 3: MARK HARMS *, 32, Madison

CONNECTICUT (Pat Griskus Olympic - June 14)

WINNER: CHRISTOPHER THOMAS *, 36, Easton & Julie Gliesing, 22, Redding
PASSDOWN #1: Ian Ray, 45, Easton & Pascale Butcher, 47, Southport
PASSDOWN #2: Wolfgang Ermeling, 40, Middletown & REBECCA STEPHENSON, 36, Unionville

NORTH DAKOTA (Bismarck International - June 8)

WINNER: Robert Gilles, 32, Fargo & Marnie Walth, 39, Bismarck
PASSDOWN #1: Justin Smith, 34, Fargo & MELANIE CARVELL, 46, Bismarck
PASSDOWN #2: Dave Burns, 42, Bismarck & Carol Aron, 34, Bismarck

NEW MEXICO (Milkman Triathlon - June 7)

WINNER: CLAY MOSELEY, 38, Los Alamos & Deboroah Kidd, 39, Santa Fe
PASSDOWN #1: Seth Wilkie, 34, Albuquerque & GRETCHEN MCELROY, 44, Santa Teresa
PASSDOWN #2: Perry Toles, 51, Roswell & Tamsen Schurman, 50, El Prado

PENNSYLVANIA (Black Bear Sprint - June 1)

WINNER: RICK FESLER, 27, Camp Hill & BETH SHUTT, 29, Natrona Heights
PASSDOWN #1: Brian Duffy, 20, West Chester & Nancy Smith, 52,
PASSDOWN #2: Mike Marsteller, 26, Glenold & Jessica Chong, 23, Allentown

IOWA (Pigman Sprint - June 1)

WINNER: Nathan White, 25, Des Moines & Tess Taintor, 33, Ankeny
PASSDOWN #1: Tony Nichols, 41, Des Moines & Jenny Jackson, 32, Cedar Rapids
PASSDOWN #2: Jason Maurice *, 23, Fairfield & Christina Marvelas *, 39, Waukee

OKLAHOMA (Route 66 Triathlon - June 1)
WINNER: CHRISTIAN BALLARD, 37, Norman & AMANDA ERWIN, 36, Tulsa
PASSDOWN #1: Aaron Highfill, 32, Choctaw & Shannon Peters *, 30, Moore
PASSDOWN #2: James Hawley, 36, Norman & Desiree Margaliano, 45, Oklahoma City

ARIZONA (Sahuarita Lake Triathlon - May 26)

WINNER: CAM HILL*, 41, Fountain Hills & KATHY RAKEL, 24, Tucson
PASSDOWN #1: Geoff Cleveland, 48, Phoenix & Angela Axmann, 24, Flagstaf
PASSDOWN #2: Brandon Sullivan, 34, Phoenix & Emily Freeman, 26, Phoenix

KENTUCKY (Buffalo Trails Triathlon - May 24)
WINNER: BARRY KNIGHT *, 41, Paducah & ALLISON POE *, 26, Maysville
PASSDOWN #1: Eric Atnip, 31, Lexington & Beth Atnip, 28, Lexington
PASSDOWN #2: Rodney Wesley, 39, Georgetown & Maureen Wiley, 38, Goshen (KY)

MARYLAND/DC (Columbia Triathlon - May 18)
WINNER: PHILIPPE KOZUB, 33, Bethesda & Amy Alexander, 22, Annapolis
PASSDOWN #1: Matias Palevecino, 27, Washington DC & Janelle McIntyre, 43, Ellicott City
PASSDOWN #2: Otho Keller, 31, Baltimore & KRISTA SCHULTZ, 30, Towson

TEXAS (Buffman & Squeaky - May 18)
WINNER: AHMED ZAHER, 44, Dallas & STACY FENNELL, 32, Arlington
PASSDOWN #1: Alberto Lugo *, 36, El Paso & Tanya Taylor, 28, Temple
PASSDOWN #2: Chris Aarhus, 40, San Antonio & Michelle Lester *, 33, Austin

SOUTH CAROLINA (Clemson Triathlon - May 10)

WINNER: Chris Olson, 35, Spartanburg & Jenny McDonagh, 26, Mount Pleasant
PASSDOWN #1: MARK WOODY *, 38, Chapin & Julie Murphy *, 42, Greer
PASSDOWN #2: Parker Rother, 28, Spartanburg & KATHARINE WELLING, 34, Spartanburg

UTAH (St. George Triathlon - May 10)
WINNER: B.J. Christenson, 30, North Salt Lake City & Jannalyn Luttrell, 27, Salt Lake City
PASSDOWN #1: RANDALL OLSEN, 41, St. George & AMBER MOUNDAY, 33, Ogden
PASSDOWN #2: Devan Tandy, 27, Provo & Rachel Cieslewicz *, 29, Salt Lake City

NORTH CAROLINA (White Lake Sprint - May 4)
WINNER: Mason Boyles, 15, Wilmington & CHRIS TOMMERDAHL, 22, Chapel Hill
PASSDOWN #1: David Sokolofsky, 27, Wilmington & Brianne Godwin, 30, Mebane
PASSDOWN #2: Robert Ferris, 26, Cary & Alysia Lovgren, 30, Durham
ACCEPTED SLOT: DAVID WILLIAMS, 31, Durham

LOUISIANA (Hidden Paradise Sprint - May 4)
WINNER: BEN HALL,* 17, Ruston & KATIE WHITE, 39, Monroe
PASSDOWN #1: Nathan Davis, 22, Ruston & Melanie Rowton, 36, West Monroe
PASSDOWN #2: John Bullock, 37, Shreveport & Kim Kippling, 40, Ruston

FLORIDA (Zephyr Sports Sprint - St. Augustine - May 3)
WINNER: EDDIE BRANIGAN *, 36, Vero Beach & Lotte Branigan *, 34, Vero Beach
PASSDOWN #1: Andrea Ugazio, 43, Kissimmee & ANGELA HYGEMA *, 33, Dania Beach
PASSDOWN #2: Evan Evans, 33, Palm Coast & Juie Olsen, 27, Ormond Beach

ALABAMA (Alabam Coastal Triathlon - May 3)
WINNER: Chad Hon, 39, Mobile & Halle Blunck, 24, Mountain Brook
PASSDOWN #1: Johnny Harrison, 48, Fairhope & Lori Goldweber *, 45, Homewood
PASSDOWN #2: MORGAN RAMEY *, 40, Helena & JULIE VANZANDT, 26, Birmingham

NEVADA (Rage in the Sage - April 19)
WINNER: Phillip Glenn *, 32, Reno & DANA GINSBURG *, 43, Reno
PASSDOWN #1: CHRIS FETTER, 30, Las Vegas & Andrea Lindsey, 20, Gardnerville
PASSDOWN #2: Michael Olsen, 39, Las Vegas & Christine Brown, 42, Henderson

HAWAII (Lavaman Triathlon - April 6)
WINNER: LUIS DE LA TORRE, 40, Kailua Kona & Shonny Vanandingham, 39, Captain Cook
PASSDOWN #1: John Flanagan, 33, Mililani & Sandra Ferriera, 39, Kaneohe
PASSDOWN #2: Tai Blechta, 29, Honolulu & Yarden Danker, 51, Keauhou



Accepted Slots are capitalized
* Have raced in prior BOUS Championships

BOUS athletes excelled at the Chicago Elite Triathlon on August 24:

Elizebeth Ott (IL): 1st woman
Cindi Bannink (WI): 2nd Woman
Amanda Erwin (OK): 4th woman
Chris Wickard (IN): 8th woman
Andrea Myers (OH): 10th woman

Mark Harms (WI): 2nd man
Eric Ott (IL): 4th man
Scott Myers (OH): 9th man
Eddie Branigan (FL): 2nd man

BOUS congratulates 2-time CT BOUS representative Chris Thomas on being the top amateur finisher at Timberman 70.3 on August 17. Chris's time was 4:14:01. Chris was the amateur champion at the inaugural Providence 70.3 earlier this season. NJ representative David Slaviniski placed 2nd at Providence. We also congratulate Minnesota's Brian Bich, 42, a 3-time BOUS representative, on being the top amateur finisher (2nd overall) at the Pigman Half near Cedar Rapids, IA on August 17. Bich's 4:11:28 was a new masters record. Additionally, three-time BOUS representative Bruce Gennari placed 2nd at Vineman 70.3. Gennari is a former US Athlete of the Year and US Master of the Year.

(NEW BIOS ADDED WEEKLY)

* REBECCA STEPHENSON (Conecticut)

- Raced in the first Triathlon World Championship (Avignon, 89), when I was 17 (placed 20th)
- Last year won the Park City Mossman Triathlon and the Litchfield Hills Triathlon, and placed 14th in the Age Group World Championship (Olympic distance). Was All-American.
- This year won CT's Women's Triathlon and placed 2nd in the Griskus Triathlon and the Niantic Bay Triathlons. 8th in the Elite Age Group division in the New York City Triathlon
- Have three little children, and am trying to make a comeback!

* COLIN REILLY (Illinois)

* August 24th: Great Buckeye Challenge Half Ironman (first half ironman): Springfield, OH: 4:44.34 (2nd overall out of 122)
* July 27th: Iron Abe Olympic Distance Triathlon: Springfield, IL: 2:03.00 (2nd overall out of 150)
* July 19th: Evergreen Lake Olympic Distance Triathlon: Bloomington, IL: 2:03.53 (8th overall, 1st collegiate)
* June 23rd: HyVee Olympic Distance Triathlon: Des Moines, IA: 2:03.40 (13th out of 1257)
* April 19th: Collegiate Nationals Olympic Distance Triathlon: Tuscaloosa, AL: 2:01.46 (19th overall undergrad, 26th overall with grad students out of about 1000)
* February: Ohio St Indoor Triathlon: Columbus, OH: 1st place overall

* AMBER CULLEN, 26, Concord, NH

* Clough Triathlon: September 8th, 2007: 3rd in age division 25-29
* Top Notch Triathlon: August 4th, 2007 = 1st in age group 20-29
* Hopkinton Season Opener: May 10th 2008 = 2nd Female Overall
* Littleton Appleman Triathlon: July 20th 2008 = 1st in age division 20-29, 4th female overall
* Providence Half Ironman: July 13, 2008 = 5 hours 40 minutes (This was my first ½ Ironman)
* BOUS Qualifier Clough Triathlon: September 6th, 2008: 1st, New Hampshire State Champion


* LUKE MOORE, Stowe, VT

2008:

* 1st @ Camp Te-Kumpta Sprint
* 2nd @ Lake Dunmore / BOUS Qualifier
* 3rd AG @ Musselman Half
* 3rd @ The Field House Sprint

* JOE COMPANY, Columbia, MO

2008
· Who Tri’s Harder Triathlon (BOUS qualifier), Innsbrook, MO – 1st place overall
· Show-Me State Games Triathlon, Columbia, MO – 1st place overall, course record
· Tri-Shark Triathlon, LeRoy, IL – 2nd overall
· Kansas, Lawrence, KS – 70.3 – 15th overall amateur
o Shortened season due to injury and lack of running January-May. Fortunately held it together enough (on 3 weeks of running) at Kansas 70.3 to qualify for Clearwater 70.3 in November. Seem to be healthy again. J

2007
· Ironman Florida , Panama City Beach, FL – 97th overall
· Ironman Canada, Penticton, BC – 57th overall
· Steelhead 70.3, Benton Harbor, MI – 9th overall
· Missouri State Time Trial Championships, Jefferson City, MO– 6th overall
· Columbia Half Marathon, Columbia, MO – 1st overall
· HUFF 50k Trail Run, Huntington, IN – 7th overall


* SYDNEY CORNELL, Parker, CO

2008

Florida Ironman 70.3- 2nd place age group; 10th overall female
5430 Boulder Long Course- 4th place age group
Loveland Lake to Lake Olympic- 2nd place overall female

2007
Fall Frenzy Sprint Triathlon- 1st place age group, 2nd place overall female
Pacific Crest Long Course Duathlon- 2nd place age group


* SYDNEY MONSTREAM-QUAS, 40, Barrington, RI

2008
3rd overall (1st 40-44 age group), Danskin Women’s Triathlon
2nd overall, Bayside YMCA triathlon
4th overall (1st amateur), Cranberry Country Triathlon
(Note: Sydney has only participated in seven tris to date.)


* KIRSTEN SASS, 29, McKenzie, TN

2008

- 1st @ Steamboat Triathlon (MO)
- 1st amateur @ Memphis In May (MS/TN)
- 1st @ Rock N Roll Half
- 1st @ Dragonfly Sprint (MS)
- 1st @ Du Run Run
- 1st @ Chattanooga Waterfront / BOUS Qualifier

* CRAIG GREENSLIT, 39, Berthoud, CO

4-time CO BOUS Representative:
-2nd @ Lake Winnipesaukee (NH) '05
-11th @ Lake Minnetonka (MN) '06
-5th @ Cypress Gardens (FL) '07

2008
->1st Overall Amateur Boulder Peak
->1st Overall Amateur Summer Sprint
->1st Overall Amateur Loveland Lake to Lake (CO BOUS Qualifier)
->2nd Overall Amateur 5430 Sprint
->3rd Overall Elite Amateur, St. Anthony’s
3rd amateur @ 5430 Half (4:11:51)
->7th Overall, 2nd American, 2nd 35-39 Age Group, ITU Worlds – Vancouver, B.C.

2007
->Voted 2007 USAT Duathlete of the Year
->1st Overall, USAT Duathlon National Championships
->1st Overall, USAT Sprint Distance National Championships
->4th Overall (1st 35-39 Age Group), USAT Long Distance National Championships
->5th Overall Best of the US National Championships
->9th Overall (1st 35-39 Age Group), USAT International Distance
National Championships

* LUKE BEASLEY, 20, Muncie, IN

- 2008 is Luke's first full season of tri racing. He's posted several
top 10 finishes and AG wins, such as:
- 2nd @ Mideast Optimist / BOUS In Qualifier
- 11th overall / 1st 20-24 @ Muncie Endurathon (4:19:17)

* CLAY MOSELEY, 38, Los Alamos, MN

-3-time NM BOUS Representative:
- 8th @ Cypress Gardens (FL) '07
- 12th @ Lake Minnetonka (MN) '06

Career Highlights:

1995 Pan American Games Gold Medal - Individual Time Trial
1994 USA Cycling Championship - Individual Time Trial
1997 USA Cycling Championship - Tandem Time Trial
12x NM State Cycling Champion (Time Trial, Road Race, Criterium, Cyclocross)
2nd overall - 2007 USAT Sprint Nationals
1st overall - 5x Jay Benson Triathlon (03-07)
1st overall - 5x Milkman Triathlon (04-08)
1st overall - 5x Socorro Chile Harvest Triathlon (03-07)
1st overall - 3x Grady Williams Freedom Days Triathlon (03-05)
1st overall - 2x Atomic Man Duathlon (06,08)
1st overall - 2x Los Alamos Triathlon (04-05)
1st overall - 2x Tenderfoot Triathlon (06-07)
1st overall - Rattlesnake Triathlon (07)
1st M35-39 - 2x Vineman 70.3 (06-07)
3rd AG - (M30-34 & M35-39) Buffalo Springs 70.3
3rd overall - 2x Harvest Moon 1/2 IM Triathlon
17th overall - Boulder 5430 1/2 IM Triathlon 2005
2nd overall - 2008 Deuces Wild XTERRA
6th M35-39 - 2008 World Masters XC Ski Championship 10km classic
3rd M35-39 - 2008 World Masters XC Ski Championship Relay (USA Team)

* BROOKE DAVISON (37, Colorado)

2008: 1st @ St. Anthony's Elite
1st amateur @ Boise 70.3
1st @ Boulder Boulder
1st @ 5430 Sprint
1st @ Loveland Lake to Lake / BOUS Qualifier
1st amateur / 3rd overall @ 5430 Half (4:24:14)

* VINNIE MONSEAU, 39 (West Virginia)

* St. Anthony's 6th amateur overall
* St. Croix 3rd in 35-39 (declined Hawaii slot)
* Eagleman 70.3 4th amateur overall
* Rocky Gap Sprint (Cumberland, MD) 1st overall (course record)
* Spirit of Morgantown Olympic 2nd overall (1st WV resident and BOUS qualifier)
* J. Cecil Jarvis Sprint (Bridgeport, WV) 1st overall
* Stonewall Jackson Olympic (Weston, WV) 1st overall
* Sprint Splash and Spin Sprint (Morgantown, WV) 1st overall
* Nation's Triathlon (Wash., DC) 2nd overall


* BRIAN BICH, 42 (Minnesota)

6-time Inside Triathlon All American
2-time USAT Master of the Year Honorable Mention (2007, 2006)
1st place 40-44 at USAT Ae Group Nationals in 2007 & 2006
Perennial USAT All American
2008 Wins (as of July 20): Heart of the Lakes, Pigman Sprint, Dakota Man, Lake Waconia (4 wins/5 starts)

* MATT MIGONIS (New York)

2008 Race Results

1st Place – Mini-Musselman Triathlon, Geneva, NY, July 2008.
1st Place – YMCA Green Lakes Triathlon, Syracuse, NY, June 2008.
39th Place – Florida Ironman 70.3, Orlando, FL, May 2008
1st Place – Camillus Memorial 5k race, Camillus, NY, May 2008
12th Place – Twenty-12 Talent ID Race, Tuscaloosa, AL, April 2008

2007 Race Results
1st Place – Rochester Spring Classic Duathlon, Rochester, NY, May 2007
8th Place – Mooseman International Distance Triathlon, Newfound Lake, NH,
june 2007
1st Place – Keuka Lake Duathlon, Keuka, NY, June 2007
1st Place – YMCA Green Lakes Triathlon, Fayetteville, NY, June 2007
1st Place – Half Tinman Triathlon, Tupper Lake, NY, June 2007
1st Place – Mini Musselman Triathlon, Geneva, NY, July 2007
1st Place – Cayuga Lake Olympic Distance Triathlon, Ithaca, NY, August 2007
1st Place – Cazenovia Lake Triathlon, Cazenovia, NY, August 2007
1st Place – Skinnyman Triathlon, Skaneateles, NY, September 2007

2007 USAT Ranking
29th Overall – USA in 25-29 age-group Triathlon. All-American.
11th Overall – USA in 25-29 age-group Duathlon. Honorable Mention All-American.


* MATTHEW WEST (Michigan)

-3 time USAT All American
-4 time Team USA Short Course World appearances
-24 Overall Triathlon Wins (as of July 7, 2008)
-Broke 2:00 hours in Olympic Distance at the USAT Mideast Regional event 2007
-2008 inaugural Member of Mideast Team Elite
-3-time Michigan BOUS Representative

* BETH SCHUTT (Pennsylvania)

2007
Columbia Triathlon - 1st amateur female
Steelhead 70.3 - 6th amateur female, 1st 25-29 AG
ITU Age Group World Championships (short course) - 11th 25-29 AG, 2nd American
70.3 World Championships @ Clearwater - 12th 25-29 AG

I was again accepted onto the MarkAllenOnline Team this year and thus far have been blessed with a healthy and accident-free season!

2008
St. Anthony's Triathlon - 7th amateur female
Columbia Triathlon - 2nd amateur female
Black Bear Sprint Triathlon - 1st overall female
Philadelphia Triathlon - 2nd amateur female


* CINDI BANNINK (Wisconsin)

2008:1st @ Lake Mills
1st @ Wisconsin Triterium (BOUS Qualifier)
2007: 1st @ Lake Mills (-4:46!)
1st @ Wisconsin Triterium (CR!)
8th—S--@ Nationals
17th @ Spirit of RacineRacine (4:56:22)
2nd—1st amateur--@ Pleasant Prairie Olympic
1st @ St. Croix Valley International– CR-2:09:43!
1st @ Devils Challenge (-5:42)
4th @ Best of the US Championship
2006: 1st @ Lake Mills
1st @ Wisconsin Triterium (CR)
2nd @ High Cliff Half IM (6/25): 4:58:43
13th @ BOUS Championship
2005: 2nd @ Manitou Sprint
1st @ Best of the US/WI Q—WI Triterium (6/19)
5th @ Life Time Fitness Elite
7th/3rd amateur @ Spirit of Racine
1st @ Turtleman (8/13): 2:00: 40 (17th o/a)
9th @ Best of the US (8/20—NH)
2nd @ Chequamegon Fat Tire Tri (8/27)
1st @ Devil’s Challenge (9/18)
2004: 1st @ Gear West Duthlon
2nd! @ Manitou (6/13): 1:09:59 (beat old CR)
1st @ Wisconsin Dells Tinman
3rd @ Timberman - 2:10:19
5th @ Heart of the Lakes / Minnesota State Tri Champs
2nd @ Turtleman
2nd! @ Fat Tire Tri (8/29):

* CHRIS WICHERT (Wisconsin)

2008 1st @ Paper Discover Duathlon
1st @ Wisconsin Triterium / BOUS Qualifier
2nd @ Lake Mills
2007 2nd @ Pewaukee
2nd amateur @ Spirit of Racine
3rd @ Coulee Duathlon
5th @ half Max National Champs

* KATHY RAKEL (Arizona)

First triathlon was in 2005. Background was basketball and golf. Recent article from Tucson Citizen: http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/sports/86646.php. Started seriously training in 2007. Her father is also a triathlete, having completed IM AZ 2008.

Air Force Academy Graduate 2007. Commissioned officer in USAF (Second Lieutenant). Current assignment is Master's Degree Program, Univ of AZ. Follow-on is Intelligence Officer Training, San Angelo, TX.

2007 breakthrough finishes:
- IM AZ (first IM): 11:46; 2nd Age Group
- Soma 1/2IM Triathlon: 4:56; 2nd AG (behind Katie Ellis), 9th amateur woman overall
- El Tour de Tucson (109mi cycle): 4th AG; 22nd woman

2008 breakthrough finishes:
- Desert Classic Duathlon: 1st AG; 2nd amateur woman overall
- Lake Havasu Triathlon: 4th amateur woman overall
- Tri Collegiate Nationals: 2nd grad student, 5th overall -- fastest bike split
- Saguaro Lake Tri: 1st AG; 2nd amateur woman overall (behind Cathy Yndestad)
- Tempe International Tri 2nd amateur woman overall -- fastest bike. Katie Ellis won this one.
- Sahuarita Tri: Amateur Champion -- bike course record (by 1:30)
*Kathy has not placed out of the top 2 in her age group this year.

(Bio provided by Kathy's coach, Brian Grasky, who represented AZ at the 2006 BOUS Championship.)



* AMANDA ERWIN (Oklahoma)

*2006 ITU Age Group World Championships- 3rd Overall U.S. Female

*5-Time Oklahoma State Triathlon Champion (1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008)

*2006 Lone Star Half-Ironman- 2nd Overall Amateur Female

*2006 Soma Half-Ironman - 1st Overall Amateur Female, 3rd Overall

*Oklahoma State Time Trial Champion- 2006, 2008

2008 Hy-Vee Triathlon Amateur Elite Female 2nd
2007 US Open Triathlon Amateur Elite Female 7th
2007 Santa Cruz Sentinel Triathlon Overall 6th
2007 Midwest Meltdown Triathlon Overall 1st
2007 Memphis in May Overall 7th
2007 St. Anthony's Triathlon Amateur 11th
Elite Female
2006 Memphis in May Overall 4th
2006 St. Anthony's Triathlon Overall Amateur 6th
Female

New Jersey middle school teacher Dave Slavinski is a relative newcomer to triathlon but one look at his brief resume reveals that he is destined for stardom. Though 2008 is his first full season as a triathlete, he has a good chance to reach the podium at the Best of the US Championship next October.

Check out Dave's Scorecard:

2007: 3rd overall is first triathlon
2008: 4th in first Olympic Distrance tri
1st overall! @ New Jersey Devilman Half IM (4:05:36)
2nd amateur @ Ironman Rhode Island 70.3 (4:10:57)
1st @ Wilkes Barre
1st @ NJ State Triathlon / BOUS NJ Qualifier

BOUS congratulates two-time NM BOUS representative Dina Pesenson and her husband Clay Moseley on the recent birth of "Mila," the couple's first child. For pictures and more, visit: www.triatomics.blogspot.com

Have you ever heard of Margot Hair? She's a quiet cancer survivor from Diamondhead, MS who dabbles in triathlon occasionally. She accepted a passdown slot in 2007 and turned some heads in Florida at the Best of the US Championship. Who is this girl who finished a surprising 13th against the deepest US women's head-to-head field of the season?

Margot Hair, 28, has raced perhaps a half-dozen times in her life and except for BOUS, the races were rather anonymous. Her most recent effort was at the Heart O'Dixie / BOUS MS Qualifier on July 26. When the dust cleared at America's oldest short-course triathlon, Margot was 4th overall and more than 11 minutes ahead of the next fastest woman, Tennessee's Ali Rutledge, who every woman in the South knows is no slouch. More impressively, though, was Margot's time. She covered the Olympic-plus (half mile swim - 27 mile bike - 7 mile run) distances in an amazing 2:04:09! With this effort Margot demonstrated that her names deserves to be mentioned with the podium hopefuls at the BOUS Championship in Tempe, AZ on October 26.

Next Qualifiers: Delaware (Make-A-Wish Triathlon - September 21) and Massachusetts (Dxbury Beach - September 27)

- Seattle's Orcutt accepts her BOUS invitation. Tracy Orcutt has accepted her 3rd consecutive invitation to represent her home state of Washington at the Best of the US Championship. The 2007 USAT Master of the Year Honorable Mention placed 3rd at the 2006 BOUS Championship in Minnesota.

-Colorado's Craig Greenslit has accepted his 4th consecutive invitation to race at the BOUS Champs, where he was 2nd in 2005, 11th in 2006 & 5th in 2007. His teammate this year is Brooke Davison, who is undefeated this season and the frontrunner in the race for 2008 Female Amateur Athlete of the Year.

Indiana's Wickard accepts slot! Two-time winner of the Chicago Triathlon, Chris Wickard, has, for the 3rd consecutive year, accepted her invitation to race at the Best of the US Championship. Chris placed 11th at the 2006 BOUS Championship, and 16th in 2007.

Former 35-39W Duathlon World Champion Kim Fordham-Lien has just won the Dakota Man /BOUS South Dakota Qualifier. (She aacepted her invation on July 1!)

UPDATE: Chris Thomas has accepted his BOUS invitation! (6/16)

As he did in 2007, Chris Thomas won the Pat Griskus Olympic Triathlon / Best of the US Connecticut Qualifier. Chris placed 12th at last year's BOUS Championship in Florida.

Fargo, ND's Rob Gilles, two-time USAT Athlete of the Year Honorable Mention (1998 & 2001), has accepted his BOUS invitation!

Los Alamos' Clay Moseley, 8th at the 2007 BOUS Championship, earned his 3rd consectutive BOUS slot at the Milkman Triathlon / New Mexico Qualifier on June 7. His wife, Dina Pesenson, also earned invitations in 2006 and 2007, is pregnant with the couple's first child and didn't race at Milkman. The women's invitation went to Deborah Kidd of Santa Fe, who nipped Southwestern multisport pioneer Gretchen McElroy of St. Teresa, by one second at Milkman.

UPDATE: Clay Moseley has accepted his BOUS invitation!

USAT All American Amanda Erwin of Tulsa, OK, has accepted her BOUS invitation!

BOUS Athletes excel on June 1: BOUS Management congratulates Luis Delatorre, 2008 HI BOUS Representative, on his amateur win at Ironman 70.3 Hawaii, and Kelly Williamson, 2006 ID Representative and 2007 VA Representative, on his 2nd place amateur finish at the inaugural Ironman Boise 70.3.

Pennsylvania sends powerhouse team to BOUS Champs! Rick Fesler and Beth Schutt have accepted their invitations to represent PA at the 2008 BOUS Championship. In addition to their wins at Black Bear, Fesler and Schutt were 2nd place amateurs at the Columbia Triathlon. Additionally, Fesler finished 2nd overall at the USAT National Duathlon Championship in Richmond, VA.

Cam Hill and Kathy Rakel won the Sahuarita Lake / BOUS Arizona Qualifier on May 26. Stay tuned for more information.

Knight & Poe Advance for Kentucky! Barry Knight of Paducah, and Alison Poe of Maysville won the Buffal Trails Triathlon / BOUS Kentucky Qualifier on May 24. A perennial All American, Knight represented his home state at the Best of the US Championship in 2006, finishing 13th. Poe was Kentucky's female representative in 2007. She placed 15th.

UPDATE: BOUS Management is delighted that Allison Poe officially accepted her invitation on May 25! Ahamed Zaher has accepted his TX slot! Kentucky's Barry Knight accepted his invitation on May 26!

CALIFORNIA (Pacific Coast Triathlon - September 7)

WINNER: Max Biessmann, 23, Irvine & Fiona Peterson, 35, Laguna Niguel
PASSDOWN #1: TODD MENZEL, Irvine & Linda Vigil, 41, Carlsbad
PASSDOWN #2: Eric Nau, 24, San Diego & Susanne Davis, 37, Carlsbad

NEW HAMPSHIRE (YMCA Trathlon at Clough State Park - September 6)

WINNER: BILL REEVES (41, Durham) & AMBER CULLEN (26, Concord)
PASSDOWN #1: Connor Jennings (Concord) & Sharon Johnston * (North Conway)
PASSDOWN #2: Trent Hayden (Nashua) & Molly Zahr (Bedford)

OREGON (City of Portland International - August 31)

WINNER: GRANT FOLSKE (Beaverton) & LINDSAY FOX (25, Beaverton)
PASSDOWN #1: Nathan Gloag (Bend) &
PASSDOWN #2: Warren Bloomberg (Salem) &

MAINE (Fireman Sprint - August 24)

WINNER: Kurt Purham (Brunswick) & Larissa Boddie (Cumberland)
PASSDOWN #1: Tommy McWalters * (Thorndike) & DENISE GOODE (Portland)
PASSDOWN #2: STEPHEN JUDICE * (Dayton) & Nicole Pisami (Portland)

OHIO (Vermillion Harbour Olympic - August 17)

WINNER: SCOTT MYERS * (Wellston) & Lauren Goldstein-Kral (Shaker Heights)
PASSDOWN #1: Alex Etchill & ANDREA MYERS * (Wellston)
PASSDOWN #2: Jeff Wilson & Sally Price

VIRGINIA (Luray International - August 16)

WINNER: MICHAEL SEVIER, 29, Herndon & CHERYL MCMURRAY. 40, Fairfax
PASSDOWN #1: David Cascio, 46, Reston & Connie Peterson, 43, Harrisonburg
PASSDOWN #2: Eric Lavigne, 32, Leesburg & Amanda Hodgson, 30, Alexandria

ALASKA (Northern Trust Alaska State Triathlon Championship - August 2)

WINNER: FRED WEST & SHANNON DONLEY *
PASSDOWN #1: David Roosa & Larrell Lockard
PASSDOWN #2: Jason Potsander & Jenny Kimball

VERMONT (Lake Dunsmore - August 2)

WINNER: Justin Ryea (Burlington) & Mariana Lara Planas (Colchester)
PASSDOWN #1: LUKE MOORE (Stowe) & Jessie Donovan (Burlington)
PASSDOWN #2: Steve Hare (Middlebury) & Donna Smyers, 50 (Adamant)

MISSOURI (Quartermax - August 2)

WINNER: JOE COMPANY (Columbia) & Kristin Moore (St. Charles)
PASSDOWN #1: Ted Zderic (Columbia) & LISA LEWIS (Chesterfield)
PASSDOWN #2: Rodney Atkinson (Lohman) & Kate Bartemus (Chesterfield)

RHODE ISLAND (Block Island Triathlon - August 2)

ACCEPTED SLOT: SYDNEY MONSTREAM-QUAS, 40, Barrington

NEW JERSEY (New Jersey State Triathlon - July 27)

WINNER: DAVE SLAVINSKI, 37, Point Park & SUZANNE HUELSTER, 34, Riverton
PASSDOWN #1: Steven Back, 26, Cherry & Maijaleena Zucker, 28, Branchburg
PASSDOWN #2: Brendan Jones, 20 & Sarah Dalfol, 29, Far Rockaway

NEBRASKA (Cornhusker State Games - July 27)

WINNER: Vince Koziol, 20, Fullerton & MORGAN CHAFFIN, 25, Omaha
PASSDOWN #1: Jeremy Davis, 28, Omaha & Jodi Seevers, 32, Greta
PASSDOWN #2: Lucas Marshall, 26, Omaha & Kaelly Simpson, 21, Lincoln

MISSISSIPPI (Heart O'Dixie - July 26)

WINNER: Hastings Pluckett, 31, Ridgeland & MARGOT HAIR *, 28, Diamondhead
PASSDOWN #1: Clay Curtis, 34, Plantersville & Alisha Wingerter, 30, Jackson
PASSDOWN #2: Larkin Carter, 46, Jackson & Amanda Cassell, 30, Flowood

WASHINGTON (Chalanman Olympic - July 20)

WINNER: ROGER THOMPSON, Spokane & TRACY ORCUTT *, Seattle
PASSDOWN #1: Kalen Darling, Spokane & Audrey Baldesarri, Redmond
PASSDOWN #2: Rob Webster, jr., Tacoma & Tara Boni, Veradale

ILLINOIS (Evergreen Lake Olympic - July 19)

WINNER: ERIC OTT & ELIZABETH OTT
PASSDOWN #1: Colin Reilly & Jennifer Harrison *
PASSDOWN #2: Chris Sweet & Shevaun Fennell

TENNESSEE (Chattanooga Waterfront - July 13)

WINNER: Donny Forsyth, 42, Memphis & KIRSTEN SASS, 29, MacKenzie
PASSDOWN #1: BRUCE GENNARI *, 42, Brentwood & Margaret Finley, 35, Germantown
PASSDOWN #2: Wil Emery, 29, Nashville & Shelby Sheffield, 35, Nashville

KANSAS (Shawnee Mission - July 13)

WINNER: Bob Schloegel, 44, Leawood & Leeann Reed, 38, Lenexa
PASSDOWN #1: Tim Mezger, 30, Prairie Village & Michelle Bales-Woods, 46, Olathe
PASSDOWN #2: Rocky Remy, 28, Prairie Village & Cathy Wood, 44, Lake Quivira

NEW YORK (Mini-Musselman - July 12)

WINNER: MATT MIGONIS, 27, Syracuse & Julie Rosa, 34, Lafayette
PASSDOWN #1: Kevin Crossman & Valerie Cross
PASSDOWN #2: Paul Fronhofer & Mary Eggers

IDAHO (YMCA Spudman - July 12)

WINNER: Thomas Liby, Boise & RACHEL COREY, Boise
PASSDOWN #1: PETER NEY, Boise & Lori Harvey, Boise
PASSDOWN #2: Jamey Yanik, Sandpoint & Paige Fetzer, Boise

COLORADO (Loveland Lake to Lake - June 29)

WINNER: CRAIG GREENSLIT *, 39, Berthoud & Brooke Davison, 37, Boulder
PASSDOWN #1: Justin Hurd, Fort Collins & SYDNEY CORNELL, Parker
PASSDOWN #2: Craig Howie, Longmont & Terri Walters, Colorado Springs

MINNESOTA (Lake Waconia - June 29)

WINNER: BRIAN BICH, 42, Duluth & MARLO MCGAVER, 38, Duluth
PASSDOWN #1: Devon Palmer, 21, St. Paul & Julie Hull, 36, Farnington
PASSDOWN #2: Curt Wood, 30, Chaska & Kate McCann, 25, Edina

MICHIGAN (Kensington Triathlon - June 29)

WINNER: Matt Wehrman, 30 & Amy Gluck, 37
PASSDOWN #1: Travis Littlejohn, 18 & CARLY DAY, 26
PASSDOWN #2: MATTHEW WEST * 33 & Samantha Fugate, 21

WEST VIRGINIA (Mountaineer Olympic - June 29)

WINNER: VINNIE MONSEAU, 39, Mogantown & HANNAH VERNON, 18, Morgantown
PASSDOWN #1:
PASSDOWN #2:

INDIANA (Mideast Optimists - June 28)

WINNER: Nathan Truex, 23, Ossian & CHRIS WICKARD *, 37, Crown Point
PASSDOWN #1: LUKE BEASLEY, 20, Muncie & Sandi Allen, 31, Plymouth, IN
PASSDOWN #2: Josh Smith, 27, Muncie & Laurissa Dalrymple, 25, Bluffton

MONTANA (Janet Clarkson - June 21)

WINNER: Bryan Brosious, 20-24, Missoula & KRISTINA SMITH *, 35-39, Great Falls
PASSDOWN #1: Dan Heil, 40-44, Bozeman & Brooke Nelson, 30-34, Bozeman
PASSDOWN #2: Chris Meffley, 20-24, West Yellowstone & Theresa Colley, 25-29, Helena

WYOMING (Janet Clarkson - June 21)

WINNER: Ben Zeller, 25-29, Lovell & Shaena Berlin, 15-19, Jackson

ARKANSAS (Ozark Valley - June 22)

WINNER: John Williams, 35, & Anna Sanders, 27
PASSDOWN #1: Ken Williams, 41, & MAGGIE PICKHARDT, 16
PASSDOWN #2: Ron Schmidt, 41, & Courtney Eyefurd, 18

SOUTH DAKOTA (Dakota Man - June 21)

WINNER: JASON CRISP, 28, Madison & Kim Fordham-Lien, 40, Aberdeen
PASSDOWN #1: Mark Lavin, 30, Sioux Falls & KATHY GRADY, 42, Sioux Falls
PASSDOWN #2: Matt Maxon, 25, Vermillion & Kara Degroot, 29, Sioux Falls

GEORGIA (West Point Lake Triathlon - June 15)

WINNER: DENNIS REARDON, 36, Canton & KRISTEL MAES *, 32, Savannah
PASSDOWN #1: Andrew Leaonard, 24, Atlanta & Kim Dunker, 25, Athens
PASSDOWN #2: Samuel Morgan, 25, Atlanta & Barbara Chandler, 46, Atlanta

WISCONSIN (Wisconsin Titerium - June 15)

WINNER: Chris Wichert, 24, Milwaukee & CINDI BANNINK *, 31, Middleton
PASSDOWN: #1: George Brophy, 41, Madison & Heather Curnutt, 34, Madison
PASSDOWN: #2: Brian Hetzog, 28, Madison & Sarah Kolpin, 27, Madison
PASSDOWN # 3: MARK HARMS *, 32, Madison

CONNECTICUT (Pat Griskus Olympic - June 14)

WINNER: CHRISTOPHER THOMAS *, 36, Easton & Julie Gliesing, 22, Redding
PASSDOWN #1: Ian Ray, 45, Easton & Pascale Butcher, 47, Southport
PASSDOWN #2: Wolfgang Ermeling, 40, Middletown & REBECCA STEPHENSON, 35, Unionville

NORTH DAKOTA (Bismarck International - June 8)

WINNER: Robert Gilles, 32, Fargo & Marnie Walth, 39, Bismarck
PASSDOWN #1: Justin Smith, 34, Fargo & MELANIE CARVELL, 46, Bismarck
PASSDOWN #2: Dave Burns, 42, Bismarck & Carol Aron, 34, Bismarck

NEW MEXICO (Milkman Triathlon - June 7)

WINNER: CLAY MOSELEY, 38, Los Alamos & Deboroah Kidd, 39, Santa Fe
PASSDOWN #1: Seth Wilkie, 34, Albuquerque & GRETCHEN MCELROY, 44, Santa Teresa
PASSDOWN #2: Perry Toles, 51, Roswell & Tamsen Schurman, 50, El Prado

PENNSYLVANIA (Black Bear Sprint - June 1)

WINNER: RICK FESLER, 27, Camp Hill & BETH SHUTT, 29, Natrona Heights
PASSDOWN #1: Brian Duffy, 20, West Chester & Nancy Smith, 52,
PASSDOWN #2: Mike Marsteller, 26, Glenold & Jessica Chong, 23, Allentown

IOWA (Pigman Sprint - June 1)

WINNER: Nathan White, 25, Des Moines & Tess Taintor, 33, Ankeny
PASSDOWN #1: Tony Nichols, 41, Des Moines & JENNY JACKSON, 32, Cedar Rapids
PASSDOWN #2: Jason Maurice *, 23, Fairfield & Christina Marvelas *, 39, Waukee

OKLAHOMA (Route 66 Triathlon - June 1)
WINNER: CHRISTIAN BALLARD, 37, Norman & AMANDA ERWIN, 36, Tulsa
PASSDOWN #1: Aaron Highfill, 32, Choctaw & Shannon Peters *, 30, Moore
PASSDOWN #2: James Hawley, 36, Norman & Desiree Margaliano, 45, Oklahoma City

ARIZONA (Sahuarita Lake Triathlon - May 26)

WINNER: CAM HILL*, 41, Fountain Hills & KATHY RAKEL, 24, Tucson
PASSDOWN #1: Geoff Cleveland, 48, Phoenix & Angela Axmann, 24, Flagstaf
PASSDOWN #2: Brandon Sullivan, 34, Phoenix & Emily Freeman, 26, Phoenix

KENTUCKY (Buffalo Trails Triathlon - May 24)
WINNER: BARRY KNIGHT *, 41, Paducah & ALLISON POE *, 26, Maysville
PASSDOWN #1: Eric Atnip, 31, Lexington & Beth Atnip, 28, Lexington
PASSDOWN #2: Rodney Wesley, 39, Georgetown & Maureen Wiley, 38, Goshen (KY)

MARYLAND/DC (Columbia Triathlon - May 18)
WINNER: PHILIPPE KOZUB, 33, Bethesda & Amy Alexander, 22, Annapolis
PASSDOWN #1: Matias Palevecino, 27, Washington DC & Janelle McIntyre, 43, Ellicott City
PASSDOWN #2: Otho Keller, 31, Baltimore & KRISTA SCHULTZ, 30, Towson

TEXAS (Buffman & Squeaky - May 18)
WINNER: AHMED ZAHER, 44, Dallas & STACY FENNELL, 32, Arlington
PASSDOWN #1: Alberto Lugo *, 36, El Paso & Tanya Taylor, 28, Temple
PASSDOWN #2: Chris Aarhus, 40, San Antonio & Michelle Lester *, 33, Austin

SOUTH CAROLINA (Clemson Triathlon - May 10)
WINNER: Chris Olson, 35, Spartanburg & Jenny McDonagh, 26, Mount Pleasant
PASSDOWN #1: MARK WOODY *, 38, Chapin & Julie Murphy *, 42, Greer
PASSDOWN #2: Parker Rother, 28, Spartanburg & KATHARINE WELLING, 34, Spartanburg

UTAH (St. George Triathlon - May 10)
WINNER: B.J. Christenson, 30, North Salt Lake City & Jannalyn Luttrell, 27, Salt Lake City
PASSDOWN #1: RANDALL OLSEN, 41, St. George & AMBER MOUNDAY, 33, Ogden
PASSDOWN #2: Devan Tandy, 27, Provo & Rachel Cieslewicz *, 29, Salt Lake City

NORTH CAROLINA (White Lake Sprint - May 4)
WINNER: Mason Boyles, 15, Wilmington & CHRIS TOMMERDAHL, 22, Chapel Hill
PASSDOWN #1: David Sokolofsky, 27, Wilmington & Brianne Godwin, 30, Mebane
PASSDOWN #2: ROBERT FERRIS, 26, Cary & Alysia Lovgren, 30, Durham

LOUISIANA (Hidden Paradise Sprint - May 4)
WINNER: BEN HALL,* 17, Ruston & KATIE WHITE, 39, Monroe
PASSDOWN #1: Nathan Davis, 22, Ruston & Melanie Rowton, 36, West Monroe
PASSDOWN #2: John Bullock, 37, Shreveport & Kim Kippling, 40, Ruston

FLORIDA (Zephyr Sports Sprint - St. Augustine - May 3)
WINNER: EDDIE BRANIGAN *, 36, Vero Beach & LOTTE BRANIGAN *, 34, Vero Beach
PASSDOWN #1: Andrea Ugazio, 43, Kissimmee & Angela Hygema *, 33, Dania Beach
PASSDOWN #2: Evan Evans, 33, Palm Coast & Juie Olsen, 27, Ormond Beach

ALABAMA (Alabam Coastal Triathlon - May 3)
WINNER: Chad Hon, 39, Mobile & Halle Blunck, 24, Mountain Brook
PASSDOWN #1: Johnny Harrison, 48, Fairhope & Lori Goldweber *, 45, Homewood
PASSDOWN #2: MORGAN RAMEY *, 40, Helena & JULIE VANZANDT, 26, Birmingham

NEVADA (Rage in the Sage - April 19)
WINNER: Phillip Glenn *, 32, Reno & DANA GINSBURG *, 43, Reno
PASSDOWN #1: CHRIS FETTER, 30, Las Vegas & Andrea Lindsey, 20, Gardnerville
PASSDOWN #2: Michael Olsen, 39, Las Vegas & Christine Brown, 42, Henderson

HAWAII (Lavaman Triathlon - April 6)
WINNER: LUIS DE LA TORRE, 40, Kailua Kona & Shonny Vanandingham, 39, Captain Cook
PASSDOWN #1: John Flanagan, 33, Mililani & Sandra Ferriera, 39, Kaneohe
PASSDOWN #2: Tai Blechta, 29, Honolulu & Yarden Danker, 51, Keauhou



Accepted Slots are capitalized
* Have raced in prior BOUS Championships

Several BOUS invitees turned in stellar efforts in major events in recent weeks:

* Craig Greenslit (CO) & Brooke Davison (CO) were the amateur winners at Boulder Peak (july 20).

* Brian Bich (MN) won the Heart of the Lakes Triathlon (July20.

* Amanda Erwin (OK) and placed 9th at Vineman Ironman 70.3 (July 20).

* Bruce Gennari (TN) placed 2nd at Vineman Ironman 70.3 (July 20).

* Beth Shutt (PA) placed 3rd in the Elite Amateur division of the New York City Triathlon July 20).

* Chrisopher Thomas (CT) won the Rhode Island Ironman 70.3 (July 13)

* Mark Harms (WI) and Cindi Bannink (WI) placed 3rd and 4th respectivelu at the Life Time Fitness Triathlon (July 12).

* Alison Poe (KY) placed 6th @ the Mountaineer Half on June 29.

* Beth Shutt (PA) finished 2nd at the Philadelphia Triathlon on June 22)

* Mark Harms (WI), Amanda Erwin (OK) and Jenny Jackson (IA) placed 1st, 2nd and 4th respectively at the Hy-Vee Triathlon on June 22 in Des Moines, IA.

* Defending BOUS Champ Philippe Kozub won the Lone Star Half on Match 30)

Team Colorado and Team Minnesota were two of the five state teams determined on June 28-29. They are two of the strongest squads to be detrmined thus far in 2008. In fact, Team Colorado--former BOUS runnerup & reigning sprint and duathlon national champ Craig Greenslit and Brooke Davison, undefeated and seemingly invincible in 2008--is aguably the team to beat in this year's Fastest Team Competitive. Team Minnesota, featuring a pair of ultra-talented Duluthians, Brian Bich (two-time national masters champion) and Marlo Crosby McGaver, should vy for a podium spot as well.

Other states that, on paper, are sending podium-worthy (top 5) teams are Florida (Eddie and Lotte Branigan), Pennsylvania (Rick Fesler and Beth Schutt), Wisconsin (Chris Wichert & Cindi Bannink) and Maryland (Philippe Kozub & Krista Schultz). The surprise team this year could well be Team Nortth Carolina (Mason Boyles & Chris Tommerdahl).

Twenty-one Qualifiers have yet to be contested, including Ohio's, Washington's, Alaska's, Virginia's and California's. These state's have historically sent great teams.

The Cheesehead State and the Peach State both bring a high level of state pride to the BOUS Championship. Wisconsin’s 2007 team of Cindi Bannink (4th place) and Mark Harms (3rd place) were amazing individually and, combined, were Fastest State Team Champions, making history in the process. Previous Fastest Team victory margins had been measured in mere seconds. But last year’s power punch of Bannink/Harms bested the field by over 2 minutes. Both athletes targeted the Wisconsin Triterium Olympic Distance race, to return and defend, and most likely would have. But, alas, Mark flatted on the bike and rode his rim in for 4th. Bannink again took the women’s title and this year will be joined by another strong contender, 24-year-old Chris Wickert from Milwaukee.

Meanwhile down South at West Point Lake Triathlon, 32-year-old Kristel Maes, who was Georgia’s inaugural representative in 2005, has repeated. She’ll be joined by new qualifier Dennis Reardon, 36, of Canton, GA. The pair have big BOUS shoes to fill: last year Jeremy Sipos finished 11th, just out of award position and in 2006 Georgia’s own David Silver – now racing pro and focusing on long course – was National Champion.

Georgia Top 3:
1. Kristel Maes, 32, Savannah Dennis Reardon, 36, Canton
2. Kim Dunker, 25, Athens Andrew Leonard, 24, Atlanta
3. Barbara Chandler, 46, Atlanta Samuel Morgan, 25, Atlanta


Wisconsin Top 3:
1. Cindi Bannink, 31 Chris Wickert, 24
2. Heather Curnutt, 34 Brian Brophy, 41
3. Sarah Kolpin, 27 Bran Herzog, 28

Philippe Kozub, 2007 Best of the US National Champion, was the first Maryland resident amateur to finish the Columbia Triathlon / Best of the US Maryland/DC Qualifier thus earning his 3rd consecutive invitation to represent his home state at the BOUS Championship. (Kozub finished 2nd at the 2006 BOUS Championship.) Advancing for the women was USAT All American Amy Alexander, 22, of Annapolis.

NOTE: Philippe Kozub has officially accepted his invitation to represent MD/DC!

MARYLAND/DC (Columbia Triathlon - May 18)
WINNER: PHILIPPE KOZUB, 33, Bethesda & Amy Alexander, 22, Annapolis
PASSDOWN #1: Matias Palevecino, 27, Washington DC & Janelle McIntyre, 43, Ellicott City
PASSDOWN #2: Otho Keller, 31, Baltimore & Krista Schultz, 30, Towson

TEXAS (Buffman & Squeaky - May 18)
WINNER: AHMED ZAHER, 44, Dallas & Stacy Fennell, 32, Arlington
PASSDOWN #1: Alberto Lugo, 36, El Paso & Tanya Taylor, 28, Temple
PASSDOWN #2: Chris Aarhus, 40, San Antonio & Michelle Lester, 33, Austin

BOUS INVITEES TO DATE:: Stay tuned for KY results!

MARYLAND/DC (Columbia Triathlon - May 18)
WINNER: PHILIPPE KOZUB, 33, Bethesda & Amy Alexander, 22, Annapolis
PASSDOWN #1: Matias Palevecino, 27, Washington DC & Janelle McIntyre, 43, Ellicott City
PASSDOWN #2: Otho Keller, 31, Baltimore & Krista Schultz, 30, Towson

TEXAS (Buffman & Squeaky - May 18)
WINNER: Ahmed Zaher, 44, Dallas & Stacy Fennell, 32, Arlington
PASSDOWN #1: Alberto Lugo, 36, El Paso & Tanya Taylor, 28, Temple
PASSDOWN #2: Chris Aarhus, 40, San Antonio & Michelle Lester, 33, Austin

SOUTH CAROLINA (Clemson Triathlon - May 10)
WINNER: Chris Olson, 35, Spartanburg & Jenny McDonagh, 26, Mount Pleasant
PASSDOWN #1: Mark Woody, 38, Chapin & Julie Murphy, 42, Greer
PASSDOWN #2: Parker Rother, 28, Spartanburg & Katharine Welling, 34, Spartanburg

UTAH (St. George Triathlon - May 10)
WINNER: B.J. Christenson, 30, North Salt Lake City & Jannalyn Luttrell, 27, Salt Lake City
PASSDOWN #1: Randall Olsen, 41, St. George & Amber Mounday, 33, Ogden
PASSDOWN #2: Devan Tandy, 27, Provo & Keena Schaerrer, 46, Pleasant Grove

NORTH CAROLINA (White Lake Sprint - May 4)
WINNER: MASON DOYLES, 15, Wilmington & CHRIS TOMMERDAHL, 22, Chapel Hill
PASSDOWN #1: David Sokolofsky, 27, Wilmington & Brianne Godwin, 30, Mebane
PASSDOWN #2: Robert Ferris, 26, Cary & Alysia Lovgrenm 30, Durham

LOUISANA (Hidden Paradise Sprint - May 4)
WINNER: BEN HALL,* 17, Ruston & KATIE WHITE, 39, Monroe
PASSDOWN #1: Nathan Davis, 22, Ruston & Melanie Rowton, 36, West Monroe
PASSDOWN #2: John Bullock, 37, Shreveport & Kim Kippling, 40, Ruston

FLORIDA (Zephyr Sports Sprint - St. Augustine - May 3)
WINNER: EDDIE BRANIGAN, 36, Vero Beach & LOTTE BRANIGAN, 34, Vero Beach
PASSDOWN #1: Andrea Ugazio, 43, Kissimmee & Angela Hygema, 33, Dania Beach
PASSDOWN #2: Evan Evans, 33, Palm Coast & Juie Olsen, 27, Ormond Beach

ALABAMA (Alabam Coastal Triathlon - May 3)
WINNER: Chad Hon, 39, Mobile & Halle Blunck, 24, Mountain Brook
PASSDOWN #1: Johnny Harrison, 48, Fairhope & Lori Goldweber, 45, Homewood
PASSDOWN #2: Morgan Ramey, 40, Helena & JULIE VANZANDT, 26, Birmingham

NEVADA (Rage in the Sage - April 19)
WINNER: Phillip Glenn, 32, Reno & DANA GINSBURG, 43, Reno
PASSDOWN #1: CHRIS FETTER, 30, Las Vegas & Andrea Lindsey, 20, Gardnerville
PASSDOWN #2: Michael Olsen, 39, Las Vegas & Christine Brown, 42, Henderson

HAWAII (Lavaman Triathlon - April 6)
WINNER: LUIS DE LA TORRE, 40, Kailua Kona & Shonny Vanandingham, 39, Captain Cook
PASSDOWN #1: John Flanagan, 33, Mililani & Sandra Ferriera, 39, Kaneohe
PASSDOWN #2: Tai Blechta, 29, Honolulu & Yarden Danker, 51, Keauhou





Accepted Slots are capitalized

Respected event producer Bill Scott of Set-Up Events sent us this e-mail on May 8:

Jerry - Great story from our race (White Lake Sprint / BOUS North Carolina Qualifier). The kid who won is 14! He (Mason Boyles) races in our "Open" (Elite) division this year. He turns 15 in July so per USAT guidelines he races as a 15 year old. We lowered our Open guidelines this year so that this kid could race Open in our North Carolina Triathlon Series events. The kid is about 4'10" and weighs about 90 lbs. He's unbelievable! He blew away the field on the run. Turned in a 16:23 5K . The next fastest 5K split was 17:58. Obvioulsy he's a pretty good swimmer and biker as well (3rd fastest swim split and 17 fastest bike split). This is out of 700 finishers.

....People are going to see him at your championship and wonder why you're letting little kids into the TA. To top it off, he's super excited about coming to your championship. As soon as he finished, he came up to me and said; "Mr. Scott, does this mean that I qualify for the Best of The US"??

Bill

Dear Bill,

We are anxious to meet Mason and can't wait to watch him race. You know, several juniors have excelled at the BOUS Championship. In 1996, Oklahoma's Daniel Agnew placed 6th. He was nominated for USAT Junior of the Year that season. And he is now a 20-year-old pro. Last year, Rob Webster Jr. of Washington placed 4th at the Championship. What an extraordinary young athlete he is! Perhaps this will be Mason Boyles' year to shine at the Championship and get some of the national recognition he deserves.

Thanks for your ongoing support of the Best of the US program.

Sincerly,

Jerry

(St. Paul, MN - 5/6/08) Florida's Lotte and Eddie Branigan have once again earned, and accepted, their invitations to represent themselves and their state at the Best of the US Championship in Tempe, AZ on October 26. This is Eddie's second invitation. He placed 7th at last year's Championship. Lotte has won her qualifier in each of the four seasons that the BOUS Series has been contested. The 2006 US Athlete of the Year placed 2nd in each of the first two Championships but was unable to compete in 2007 due to a collarbone injury. She was replaced by Angela Hygema, who placed 11th at the Championship. Angela finished in the first passdown position at this year's Florida Qualifier (Zepher Hills Sprint - St. Augustine on May 3).

In other weekend qualifier action, 2007 USAT All AMerican Chad Hon and rising star Hallie Blunck were to Alabama finishers at the Alabama Coastal Triathlon on May 3. And 15-year-old Mason Boyles and Chris Tommerdahl, both 2007 All Americans, won the White Lake Sprint Triathlon / North Carolina Qualifier on May 4.

FLORIDA (Zephyr Sports Sprint - St. Augustine - May 3)
WINNER: EDDIE BRANIGAN 36, Vero Beach & LOTTE BRANIGAN, 34, Vero Beach
PASSDOWN #1: Andrea Ugazio, 43, Kissimmee & Angela Hygema, 33, Dania Beach
PASSDOWN #2: Evan Evans, 33, Palm Coast & Juie Olsen, 27, Ormond Beach

ALABAMA (Alabam Coastal Triathlon - May 3)
WINNER: Chad Hon, 39, Mobile & Halle Blunck, 24, Mountain Brook
PASSDOWN #1: Johnny Harrison, 48, Fairhope & Lori Goldweber,* 45, Homewood
PASSDOWN #2: Morgan Ramey*, 40, Helena & Julie Vanzandt, 27, Birmingham

* Goldweber & Ramey are former AL representatives.

NORTH CAROLINA (White Lake Sprint - May 4)
WINNER: MASON DOYLES, 15, Wilmington & CHRIS TOMMERDAHL, 22, Chapel Hill
PASSDOWN #1: David Sokolofsky, 27, Wilmington & Brianne Godwin, 30, Mebane
PASSDOWN #2: Robert Ferris, 26, Cary & Alysia Lovgrenm 30, Durham

LOUISANA (Hidden Paradise Sprint - May 4)

WINNER: BEN HALL,* 17, Ruston & KATIE WHITE, 39, Monroe
PASSDOWN #1: Nathan Davis, 22, Ruston & Melanie Rowton, 36, West Monroe
PASSDOWN #2: John Bullock, 37, Shreveport & Kim Kippling, 40, Ruston

* Ben represented LA at the 2007 BOUS Championship, finishing 19th.

PRIOR QUALIFIERS:

HAWAII (Lavaman Triathlon - April 6)
WINNER: LUIS DE LA TORRE, 40, Kailua Kona & Shonny Vanandingham, 39, Captain Cook
PASSDOWN #1: John Flanagan, 33, Mililani & Sandra Ferriera, 39, Kaneohe
PASSDOWN #2: Tai Blechta, 29, Honolulu & Yarden Danker, 51, Keauhou

NEVADA (Rage in the Sage - April 19)
WINNER: PHILLIP GLENN, 32, Reno & DANA GINSBURG, 43, Reno
PASSDOWN #1: Chris Fetter, 30, Las Vegas & Andrea Lindsey, 20, Gardnerville
PASSDOWN #2: Michael Olsen, 39, Las Vegas & Christine Brown, 42, Henderson


* ACCEPTED INVITATIONS CAPITALIZED

----------------------------------------------------------------

The following BOUS athletes turned in noteworthy performances in the Elite Amateur competition at the 25th annual St. Anthony's Triathlon on April 27:

Men:

Eric Bell (2007 TN representative) finished 2nd.
Craig Greenslit (3-time CO representative) placed 3rd
Philippe Kozub (2-time MD representative; defending BOUS National champ) placed 5th. *

(* Philippe was inadvertantly assessed a stand-down penalty because the official assumed he was a pro. This may have cost Philippe a position or two.)

Women:

Lotte Branigan (2-time FL representative) finished 3rd.
Jennifer Harrison (2007 IL representative) finished 8th.

The elite amateur division drew 214 credentialed triathletes from around the country.

As top Nevada finishers at the Rage in the Sage / Best of the US Nevada Qualifier, 2006 representative Phillip Glenn and 2007 representative Dana Ginsburg, both of Reno, earned the right to return to the Best of the US National Championship, which will be hosted by the Soma Quarterman in Tempe, AZ on October 26. "It's always great to welcome back BOUS alumni," said Trudy Marshall, Best of the US' Executive Director. "We sure hope that they will accept their invitations." If they are unable to do so, the next male athletes in line are Chris Fetter and Michael Olsen. In passdown positions for the women are Andrea Lindsey and Christine Brown.

(April 6, 2008) Former amateur World Champion Luis De La Torre (Kailua Kona) and mountain bike star Shony Vanlandingham (Captain Cook) were the first resident amateur finishers at the 11th annual Lavaman on April 6. De La Torre placed 3rd overall behind Texan James Cotter and Honolulu pro Tim Marr. Vanlandingham, a newcomer to road tris (she placed 7th at the 2007 Xterra Word Champs), was beaten only by professionals Bree Wee (USAT Athlete of the Year in 2007), Tyler Stewart (CA) and Jessica Kirkwood (CAN).

De La Torre, 40, was living in Arizona when he became a triathlete at the age of 13 and was one of the Grand Canyon State's premier triathletes for many years before relocating to Hawaii. He has told BOUS Management that looks forward to returning to his former home state to compete at the 2008 Best of the US Championship on October 26 in Tempe.

De La Torre was brilliant in 2007. His racing highlights include victories at the Honolulu Triathlon and Honolulu 70.3, a 2nd place finish at Lavaman and a top 15 effort at the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship (9:11:23).

"Vanlandingham is an amazing athlete, capable of excelling at any endurance sport she pursues," says BOUS PR Director Jerry MacNeil. "We certainly hope she will accept her invitation to represent Hawaii at this year's Championship."

BOUS Management is grateful to Lavaman Director, Gerry Rott, who will provide travel stipends for Hawaii's BOUS qualifiers.

LAVAMAN / BEST OF THE US HAWAII QUALIFIER:

WINNER: Luis De La Torre, 40, Kailua Kona & Shonny Vanandingham, 39, Captain Cook
PASSDOWN #1: John Flanagan, 33, Mililani & Sandra Ferriera, 39, Kaneohe
PASSDOWN #2: Tai Blechta, 29, Honolulu & Yarden Danker, 51, Keauhou

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 31, 2008

CONTACT: Carrie Rollins 615-414-1876
carrie@team-magic.com; www.team-magic.com



Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon Celebrates 2nd Year with New Qualifier Status as the Best of the USA Amateur Competition Qualifier for the State of Alabama


Gulf Shores / Orange Beach, Alabama — Competitors from weekend warriors to elite-level athletes will converge on Saturday, May 3rd for the 2nd annual Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon. This event is held at a perfect time of year on Alabama's beautiful gulf coast. The main staging area is at the almost new Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion with the swim 1000 yards in the Gulf of Mexico, bike 19.5 miles on the beach front roads and serene Gulf State Park roads, and finish with a 4.5 mile beach front road run. A post race part and award ceremony at a local beach restaurant and bar just down the street from the main staging and race finish will add the final punch for a great race day.

Designated as the USA Triathlon Intermediate Distance State Championship - racers from the State of Alabama will compete for champion status in the male and female categories for overall, junior, masters, grand masters and physically challenged. Additionally, state championship status also gives regional racers a chance at more national ranking points with USA Triathlon.

New $4,990 cash purse offered to attract elite amateur racers – while this event invites all levels of competition, top regional racers will be vying for a cash purse of just under $5k divided between the top five men and women overall and the top three male and female masters (40+.)

Special thanks to new title sponsor Brett Robinson specializing in Vacation Rentals, Real Estate Sales and Development.

For more information on the Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon or any of its entrants, contact: Carrie Rollins at carrie@team-magic.com or 615-414-1876.

See the following page for rave reviews for the inaugural 2007 event.
Rave Reviews from 2007 Competitors:

Thanks for a great race this past weekend. It is destined to become a new favorite. You'll did a great job!!!

Nerrin and George Zaharias
Birmingham, AL

Thank you Team Magic for bringing the Alabama Coastal Tri to Gulf Shores. You guys did an outstanding job and I see this event doubling in size next year. The course is perfect and the organization and dedication to this event was the best I’ve seen. I will see you next year.

Sincerely,
Lisa Blount
Mobile, Al

Great race, nice venue and very well organized.

Thanks.
Johnny Harrison

Great event and first class. Thanks. If there is a way to move to saturday in a few years might be better day for event with Sunday church. Thanks again for great event
--------------------------
Sent from john@white-spunner.com

I must say that the race this past weekend in Orange Beach / Gulf Shores had to be one of my all time favorites. I will certainly be back next year and put the word out about how well it was run. Great job by Team Magic and all the volunteers who made it happen. I am looking at the schedule of races that Team Magic's puts on to see if I can make it to any. Awesome job and thanks for a great day.

Matt Leland

I just want to thank both of you for the event this weekend. You couldn’t ask for better weather. Though I was slow, I had a blast! I think everyone did. Team-Magic is so easy to work with and that’s why you all have such a loyal following! Have a great day!

Regards,
Kent Scroggins
Customer Service Representative
American Flow Control

Faye & Therese,
Just a note to say how impressed I was with the Team Magic staff/organization on Sunday. This was the first Team Magic event I've ever participated in but certainly not the last! I'm fairly new to this sport and learn do's and don't's with every event. Not all organizations pay as much attention to detail and safety as yours. I did awful on the run and I must apologize for my frustration at the finish. Heat is a big hindrance to those of us living with MS. There's always next time . . .

Once again, thanks for a great experience! Beth Price #168

(3/31/08) The opening day of the 2008 Best of the US season is less than a week away. Kicking things off, as usual, is Hawaii's popular Lavaman Triathlon on April 6. Hawaii is a small state but boasts a plethora of talented triathletes. At the top of the list is Kailua-Kona's Bree Wee (now a pro), who was named USAT Athlete of the Year in 2007. And then there's Honolulu's Rachel Ross is a two-time USAT AOY Honorable Mention. Among the other stars are former Xterra World Champion Marion Summerer and 1989 amatuer World Champion Luis Delatorre..

BOUS Management recently sent out an e-mail to the top 10 male and female finishers at the 2007 Best of the US Championship asking if they hope to win their respective qualifiers and represent themselves and states at the 2008 Champs. The following triathletes responded positively to our query: The top five men in 2007--Philippe Kozub (MD), Scott Myers (OH), Mark Harms (WI), Rob Webster, Jr. (WA) and Craig Greenslit (CO). Additionally, the 7th place (Florida's Eddie Branigan) and 8th place (New Mexico's Clay Moseley) men are seeking a return engagement. For the women, Wisconsin's Cindi Bannink (4th), Illinois' Jennifer Harrison (7th) and Ohio's Andrea Myers (10th) hope to return. Women's champ Katie Ellis (AZ) and runner-up Kim Webster (MA) contacted us to let us know that they now have pro licenses and are thus ineligible. Minnesota's Cathy Yndestad (MN) also responded, saying that she will bypass BOUS and focus on the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship.

We are also pleased to announce that Tennessee's Bruce Gennari (4th in 2005 & 2006) wishes to return, as does Florida's Lotte Branigan (2nd in 2005 & 2006).

And special congratulations to New Mexico's Clay Moseley and Dina Pesenson, both two-time BOUS representatives, who are expecting their first child in July.

(St. Paul, MN – 2/27/08) Best of the US Management is pleased to announce that five of the triathletes who competed in the 2007 BOUS National Championship in Cypress Gardens, Florida, have earned USA Triathlon post-season honors, four as Honorable Mention in the “Athlete of the Year” category, and one for Honorable Mention “Master of the Year.” They are (alphabetically):

PHILIPPE KOZUB, 32, Bethesda, MD: 2007 USAT Athlete of the Year Honorable Mention
Winner of the BOUS Championship in 2007 and runner-up in the 2006 Championship,
Kozub was given high marks by the USAT AOY Selection Committee for his versatility.
He demonstrated excellence at distances ranging from sprint to 70.3.
2007 Season Highlights:
1st @ Best of the US Championship
1st @ Crawfishman
1st @ Louisiana Triathlon
2nd @ Dallas US Open (behind USAT AOY Daniel Bretscher)
2nd @ Accenture Chicago Triathlon (behind Bretscher)
2nd @ Half Max National Championship (behind Bretscher)
2nd amateur @ Eagleman Ironman 70.3
2nd amateur @ Columbia Triathlon
2nd @ River Cities Triathlon
2nd @ Mini Musselman Half Triathlon
5th @ USAT Age Group National Championship (3rd 30-34M)

KATIE ELLIS, 22, Phoenix, AZ: 2007 USAT AOY Honorable Mention
Only eventual AOY Bree Wee, herself a BOUS alum, got more support that Ellis for Athlete
of the Year honors. Ellis, an age group world champion, won the 2007 Best of the US title.
Like Wee, Katie has recently procured a pro license.
2007 Season Highlights:
1st @ Best of the US Championship
1st @ Soma Half
1st @ Tempe International, Rocky Point, Race for the Cure, Tempe Olympic
and Sahuarita BOUS Arizona Qualifier
2nd @ USAT Collegiate National Championship
3rd @ ITU World Championship-Hamburg, GER (20-24W World Champion)
6th @ USAT Age Group Nationals (3rd 20-24W)


KIM WEBSTER, 31, Framingham, MA: 2007 USAT AOY Honorable Mention
Strong and very versatile, Webster almost caught Ellis at last year’s BOUS Champs.
When the dust cleared, only two seconds separated these two talented athletes. In addition
to her success in road tris, Kim is also an accomplished Xterra, i.e. off-road, triathlete.
2007 Season Highlights:
1st amateur @ Timberman 70.3
1st amateur @ Lake Stevens 70.3
1st amateur @ Philadelphia Triathlon
2nd @ Best of the US Championship
2nd amateur @ Mooseman Half
2nd @ Lobsterman Triathlon

CATHY YNDESTAD, 29, Apple Valley, MN: 2007 USAT AOY Honorable Mention
Cathy enjoyed a breakout season in 2007, winning eight of the twelve races she entered. She
won the prestigious Life Time Fitness Series handily, triumphing by big margins against talented
fields at Minneapolis and Dallas, and taking second at Chicago. In the most exciting finish
in BOUS’s brief history, Cathy placed third at the Best of the US Championship, only 10
seconds behind Ellis and eight behind Webster.
2007 Season Highlights:
1st @ Life Time Fitness – Minneapolis
1st @ Dallas US Open – Life Time Fitness Series Championship
1st amateur @ Newfoundland 70.3
1st @ Heart of the Lakes / Minnesota State Triathlon Championship
(the day after she won Life Time Fitness – Minneapolis)
1st @ Pigman Sprint, Manitou Sprint & Timberman (MN) Olympic
2nd @ Accenture Chicago (Life Time Fitness Elite Series)
3rd @ Best of the US Championship
3rd @ ITU Hy-Vee Des Moines
10:12 @ Ironman Florida

STACY ORCUTT, 41, Seattle, WA: 2007 USAT Master of the Year Honorable Mention
Regionally invincible, Stacy is one of a handful of American “Super Masters.” A fourth place
overall finish at USAT Age Group Nationals was the highlight of her season.
2007 Season Highlights (National level):
1st master / 4th overall @ USAT Age Group Nationals
1st master / 2nd overall @ Seafair
1st master / 12th overall @ Best of the US Championship



The Best of the U.S. Amateur Triathlete Competition is produced by Midwest Events, LLC of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

More info:
Jerry MacNeil, PR Director: 651-714-1829 or jerry@midwestevents.com
www.bestoftheustriathletes.com

Like fellow BOUS Champions Margie Shapiro and Heidi Grimm, Arizona's Katie Ellis has procured a pro license. In the first three years of the program's existence, an estimated 20-25 BOUS alumni have made the jump from elite age-group to pro status. Other noteables in this group include Georgia's David Silver, 2006 BOUS men's champ, Hawaii's Bree Wee, California's Jim Vance, Missouri's Jillian Peterson, Idaho's Kevin Everett and Washington's Chris Tremonte,

Attention BOUS Athletes: If you have gotten your pro license, let us know (jerry@midwestevents.com) so that we may publish your names here and in future press releases.

“BEST OF THE US” INVITES HAWAII’S BEST TO RACE AT THE
LAVAMAN TRIATHLON ON APRIL 6!

(St. Paul, MN – 2/2/2008)–– “Best of the US” Management and the Hawaii Sports Connection invite the talented triathletes of the Aloha State to race at the 11th annual LAVAMAN / BEST OF THE US HAWAII QUALIFIER at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast on April 6. This annual classic is billed as “The Best & Most Scenic Post Race Party in Triathlon!!!” “We are thrilled with our continuing relationship with Gerry Rott and her Lavaman crew, “ says BOUS Executive Director Trudy Marshall. “They produce a model event.”

Three Hawaiian triathletes, Ben Collins, Bree Wee and Rachel Ross, are being considered for 2007 USAT Athlete of the Year honors. Collins and Ross earned AOY Honorable Mention status in 2006. Collins and Wee have now entered the pro ranks, but Ross and 2007 Lavaman resident amateur winner Luis Delatorre, 1989 Amateur World Champion, are expected to toe the line at Lavaman ’08. Delatorre grew up in Arizona and is anxious to return for the 2008 Best of the US Championship in Tempe, AZ on October 26. “Ross and Delatorre would give Hawaii a podium-worthy team in Tempe,” says BOUS PR Director Jerry MacNeil. “But the Aloha State has many other great triathletes—Kurt Chambers, Kalen Darling, Tai Blechta, Peter Hursty, Marion Summerer, Susan Burr, Emily King, Katherine Nichols, to name a few—and will field a formidable team, no matter who advances.”

BOUS Management is indebted to the Hawaii Sports Connection, who will provide their advancing athletes with a stipend to help defray some of their travel costs.

For more information on the Lavaman Triathlon, vist http://www.bestoftheustriathletes.com/states/HI or http://www.lavamantriathlon.com.

RAGE IN THE SAGE TRIATHLON INVITES NEVADA’S BEST
TO COMPETE AT THE 2008 “BEST OF THE US” NEVADA QUALIFIER!

(St. Paul, MN – 2/2/2008)–– ”Best of the US” Management is pleased to announce that the 5th annual RAGE IN THE SAGE TRIATHLON will once again host the official 2008 “Best of the US” Nevada State Qualifier. The fastest male and female resident amateurs will earn the right to represent the Silver State at the 4th “Best of the US Championship,” which will be hosted by the Soma Quarterman in Tempe, Arizona on October 26.

The RAGE IN THE SAGE TRIATHLON, which features very challenging Olympic and sprint distance races (the Olympic race is the qualifier), is slated for April 19 and will me staged at majestic Lake Mead National Recreation Area southeast of Las Vegas. RAGE IN THE SAGE, which hosted every past edition of the “Best of the US” Nevada Qualifier is expertly produced by BBSC Endurance Sports. “BBS