Posted: April 8, 2005

Triathlon: Benda & Mackenzie Among Favorites At "Best Of The US Amateur Triathlete Competition" Maryland Qualifier

(St. Paul, MN - 4/8/05) The venerable Columbia Triathlon, slated for May 22 in Ellicott City, MD, is the official Maryland/DC Qualifier for the inaugural "Best of the US Amateur Triathlete Competition." The fastest male and female amateur Maryland or Washington DC residents will advance to the "Best of the US Championships" in bucolic Gilford, NH on August 20, where they'll race head-to-head with the winners of the other 49 state qualifiers. For more information on the Columbia Triathlon, visit www.tricolumbia.org or www.bestoftheustriathletes.com.

In order to insure that all states will be represented at the Championship, a 5-deep passdown system will be in effect. If the "Best of the US.." state champion is unable to attend the championship, his or her slot will be offered to the next in line, and so on.

Below is some biographical information on Brian Benda of Parkton, and Dan MacKenzie of Rockville, who are among the favorites favorites to win the Maryland Qualifier.

BRIAN BENDA (34, Parkton)

Benda is perennial podium finisher in Mid-Atlantic regional events. This could be the year he breaks through at Columbia, a race that has gotten the better of him the last three years (31st in 2004, 22nd in 2003, 18th in 2002).

DAN MACKENZIE (23, Rockville)

MacKenzie is young, thus improvement should be expected. His 2nd place finish at Wilkes Barre last year suggests a bright future indeed.

ANTHONY VAN LIEROP (31, Towson)

Van Lierop cracked top 10 at Columbia in 2003 (6th) and 2002 (9th).

Others deserving consideration include STEVEN DOWLER (30, Kensington) and MICHAEL WROBLEWSKI (40+, Washington, DC).

The race for top MD/DC spots in the women's amateur race is even more wide open than the men's, thanks to the conspicuous absence of perennial frontrunners CHRISTY UNDERDONK (40, Kensington) and STACY KARWACKI (43, Essex). Don't be surprised if ELIZEBETH FLYNN (33, Ellicott City) or CONNIE CHOW DOWLER (30, Kensington) earn the trip to New Hampshire.