Posted: May 11, 2005

Triathlon: Expect Fireworks At The "Best Of The US Amateur Triathlete Competition's" Texas Qualifier

(St. Paul, MN - 5/11/05) Mike and Marti Greer, co-directors of the TRI-RAIDER SPRINT TRIATHLON, and "Best of the US.." management invite Texas' talent-rich triathlon community to participate in the 2005 TRI-RAIDER SPRINT TRIATHLON on June 26. This popular sprint distance event is part of the inaugural "Best of the US Amateur Triathlete Competition," and promises to be among the most hotly contested in the program. For more information on the TRI-RAIDER, visit www.buffalospringslaketriathlon.com or www.bestoftheustriathletes.com.

A special invitation is extended to the elite amateur athletes of the Lone Star State, as the fastest male and female resident amateurs will advance to the "Best of the US Championships" in picturesque Gilford, NH on August 20, where they'll race head-to-head with the winners of the other 49 state qualifiers.

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 are a few of the amateur athletes that set the stratospheric tri standards in Texas. Some of their competitive highlights are included here. We hope that these talented triathletes will be on the starting line of the TRI-RAIDER SPRINT on June 26.

BRANDON MARSH (30, Austin)

Marsh is a 4-time IT All American and 4-time member of Team USA. His career resume features a 2nd place finish at USAT Nationals (25-29 National Champ) in 2003. His 2004 resume is highlighted by big wins at America's Triathlon, the BTU Off-Road Sprint and Woolman. Additionally, he placed 2nd last season at the Xterra Dirty Tri and was 3rd--1st amateur--at The Rookie Triathlon.

JASON MCMILLIAN (32, Cedar Park)

A 2004 IT All American, Jason turned heads with his 2nd place overall finish (30-34 national champ) at USAT Nationals last fall. He was victorious earlier this season at the Cactus Challenge Olympic Tri in Austin.

Other talented Texans worthy of consideration include JAMES COTTER, BOBBY GONZALES, JUSTIN DAERR, ARTHUS MATHISEN, IAN RAY , BRIAN HASENBUAER, SAM SHILDGEN, 16, TIM KEY (Lubbock), AHMED ZAHER, CAREY WILLINGHAM, KEVIN BRODWICK, ADAM WILK, CLAY RAHN, PAUL PEAR and PATRICK SCHUSTER.

SABINE BILDSTEIN (33, Austin)

Arguably one of the top 3 amateur female triathletes in America, Sabine is a 2-time runner-up for USAT Triathlete of the Year. In 2004, she won the prestigious USAT Endurance Sportswoman of the Year award.

EMILY DEPPE (25, The Woodlands)

Minnesota's loss is Texas' big gain. In 2004, this 2003 20-24 national champion, convincingly won 6 of the 8 races she entered. Thus far in 2005, she was victorious at Tri the Woodlands, where she finished 5th overall. If she races well this year, two Texans (with Bildstein) may well garner Triathlete of the Year nominations.

AUTUMN RAY (25, Galveston)

She's young and improving, A 2-time IT All American, Ray's 2004 resume included wins at the Speedo Women's Triathlon and the Ironstar Half IM, a 4th--3rd amateur--at America's Triathlon and 7th at Buffalo Springs Lake.

Other talented Texans worthy of consideration include VICTORIA PIPER, MELISSA RUTHVEN, TRACY HARRISON, ANGELICA BALENTINE , AMY COTTRILL, ANN SMITH, MINA PIZZINI, LYNNE SMITH, MEREDITH JOHNSON, SHANNON CUTTING, NATALIE LINAM, LIBBY BLOODSWORTH, JULIE MOSIER, TALIS APUD-MARTINEZ and STACY MULLIKEN.

For more information on the "Best of the US Amateur Triathlete Competition," contact Jerry at 651-714-1829 or jerry@midwestevents.com