Posted: April 3, 2006

Triathlon: Collins And Summerer Win Lavaman / Best Of The US Hawaii Qualifier

(St. Paul, MN – 4/03/2006)–– Rising stars Benjamin Collins, 23, of Haleiwa, and Marion Summerer, 25, of Honolulu, were the top resident amateur finishers at the 9th annual Lavaman Triathlon / Best of the US Hawaii Qualifier on April 2. Collins finished 3rd overall behind pros Tim Marr and Gordo Byrn. Summerer, a German transplant, finished fourth for the women behind Canadian pros Carolyn Murray, Lisa Mensink and Jessica Kirkwood.

“We don’t know much about Collins, except that he is young, improving and he beat some great competition at Lavaman. Summerer, on the other hand, has been winning off-road and road tris for the last couple of seasons. As in 2005, Hawaii will be sending a competitive team to the Championship,” says “Best of the US” PR Director, Jerry MacNeil.

In 2005, Hawaii was represented by Peter Hursty and Bree Wee. They finished 10th in the Fastest State Competition.

The 2nd through 5th male and female resident amateurs are in line for passdodwn slots. Hawaii's passdowns:

2. Tai Blechta, 27, Honolulu............2, Jennifer Nottage, 39, Kailua-Kona
3. Kurt Chambers, 25, Honolulu......3. Millie Cook, 49, Hilo
4. Kalen Darling, 19, Honoulu..........4. Melinda Hayman, 44, Honolulu
5. John Pink, 37, Kailua-Kona..........5. Patricia McAndrew, 25, Honolulu.

The 2006 “Best of the US Championship” will be staged at Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior, Minnesota on September 16.

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

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