Posted: May 9, 2004

Triathlon: U.S. Age Groupers Clean Up in Portugal

FUNCHAL, Madeira (May 8, 2004) – U.S. age group triathletes won 24 medals, including five gold, 11 silver and eight bronze on Saturday at the 2004 International Triathlon Union Triathlon World Championships.

Michelle Lindsay (Herndon, Va.) won the women’s 20-24 age group in 2 hours, 23 minutes, 47 seconds. Linda Neary (North Palm Beach, Fla.) won the women’s 40-44 age group in 2:23:37. Donna Smyers (Montpelier, Vt.) was first in the women’s 45-49 age group in 2:27:31. Madonna Buder (Spokane, Wash.) was first in women’s 70-74 in 4:24:412 and Odd Sangesland won gold in the men’s 75-79 age group in 4:23:09.

Sam Mallard of New Zealand won the men’s overall title in 2:02:13. U.S. age grouper Michael Boehmer (Delafield, Wis.; m25-29) placed fifth overall in 2:03:37.

Sherri Smith of Canada won the women’s overall title in 2:19:19. Shannon Rahlves (Truckee, Calif.; w25-29) of the United States was second overall in 2:19:50. Other U.S. women in the top 10 overall were Heather Haviland (Waukesha, Wis.; w30-34; 2:21:18) in fifth, Neary in eighth and Lindsay in 10th.

Silver medals for women went to Rahlves, Haviland, Sherry Coons (w40-44; 2:23:57), Cheryl McGinnis (Prospect, Ky.; w50-54; 2:36:20), Joan Brown (Juno Beach, Fla.; w55-59; 2:42:29) and Jan Miller (Marana, Ariz.; w65-69; 2:57:12).

Andrew Starykowicz (Long Grove, Ill.; m20-24; 2:04:58), Boehmer, Rick Trachok (Reno, Nev.; m50-54; 2:16:40), Roger Brockenbrough (Pittsburgh, Pa.; m70-74; 3:01:23) and Timothy Valley (Madison, Wis.; m35-39; 2:08:19) won silver medals for the men.

Women’s bronze medals were taken by Megan James (Kalamazoo, Mich; w30-34; 2:22:40), Sharon Beltrande Rio (w35-39; 2:24:28), Marilyn Benkelman (North Palm Beach, Fla.; w50-54; 2:38:23), Anne Wright (Macon, Ga.; w60-64; 3:00:16) and Susan Bradley-Cox (Lexington, Ky.; w65-69; 3:12:15).

Men’s bronze medals went to Trenton Tollakson (Bellendorf, Iowa; m20-24; 2:05:48), Jim Bruskewitz (Madison, Wis.; m50-54; 2:17:30) and Robert Plant (Woodside, Calif.; m60-64; 2:35:07).

The weather in Madeira was cool and cloudy for most of the day, which made things a little easier on the very hilly course.

Tommy Knapp of Laguna Beach, Calif., was the top U.S. finisher among athletes with a disability in eighth place.

Jennifer Spieldenner (Findlay, Ohio) was the top U.S. junior women’s finisher in 25th. Taylor Tolleson (Pacific Grove, Calif.) was the top U.S. junior men’s finisher in 36th.

Check out www.triathlon.org for details and complete results.