Race Coverage

 

CHISAGO LAKES SPRINT - The last time DEANA JAGIELO and KRISTEN HAWKINS faced each other--Buffalo Olympic--Hawkins came out on top. Against one of the two strongest fields this year, she placed 9th, and Deana took 11th. Yesterday, Deana not only reversed that order, she won the race, with Hawkins taking 2nd, performances we suspect were very satisfying for both athletes....

On paper, Hawkins appeared to have the upper hand. She'd won two of the three races she'd done thus far in 2021. Jagielo, though, managed to outspit her in each discipline on Sunday, her eventual margin of victory being 1:11.

Placing 3rd went to PAIGE SCHULZ, 2019 Rookie of the Year and one of the early favorites. Schulz seemed pleased with her bronze medal effort, considering that she was a little bit pregnant.

Though favoried to win, TIM BONTRAGER's victory was surprising dominant, his margin of victory was one second shy of four minutes. Perhaps we should have seen this coming. The previous weekend he torched the course record at Buzz Ryan. Racing prolifically this season, Tim's 2021 resume features four wins and a 2nd.

 

The silver medal was earned  by MATT COLEMAN, 19, and elite junior from Maryland. Our research uncovered several overall podium finishes in the mid-Atlantic region. The young man appears to have a very bright racing future.

Master of the Year nominee in 2018 and 2019, MIKE BUENTING, 46, fought back from 21st after the swim to grab the third podium spot.

 

Coleman was one of three athletes who rewrite AG records. The others were PAM STEVENS, 68, whose 1:42:44 lowered the previous 65-69W best by 8:03, and Wisconsin's CONNIE MEEK, 75, who became the 15-year-old race's first female finisher over the age of 75. Her time was 2:18:57.

 

Two hundred and 47 athletes started the race, and 244 finished. Not a bad percentage considering the heat, exposure and the pervasive possibility of bad luck.

Twas another awesome event at picturesque Paradise Park in Chisago City, which is another great expample of the premier triathlon venues we have in our state. RESULTS