Respected event producer Bill Scott of Set-Up Events sent us this e-mail on May 8:

Jerry - Great story from our race (White Lake Sprint / BOUS North Carolina Qualifier). The kid who won is 14! He (Mason Boyles) races in our "Open" (Elite) division this year. He turns 15 in July so per USAT guidelines he races as a 15 year old. We lowered our Open guidelines this year so that this kid could race Open in our North Carolina Triathlon Series events. The kid is about 4'10" and weighs about 90 lbs. He's unbelievable! He blew away the field on the run. Turned in a 16:23 5K . The next fastest 5K split was 17:58. Obvioulsy he's a pretty good swimmer and biker as well (3rd fastest swim split and 17 fastest bike split). This is out of 700 finishers.

....People are going to see him at your championship and wonder why you're letting little kids into the TA. To top it off, he's super excited about coming to your championship. As soon as he finished, he came up to me and said; "Mr. Scott, does this mean that I qualify for the Best of The US"??

Bill

Dear Bill,

We are anxious to meet Mason and can't wait to watch him race. You know, several juniors have excelled at the BOUS Championship. In 1996, Oklahoma's Daniel Agnew placed 6th. He was nominated for USAT Junior of the Year that season. And he is now a 20-year-old pro. Last year, Rob Webster Jr. of Washington placed 4th at the Championship. What an extraordinary young athlete he is! Perhaps this will be Mason Boyles' year to shine at the Championship and get some of the national recognition he deserves.

Thanks for your ongoing support of the Best of the US program.

Sincerly,

Jerry

Stay tuned for capsules and results.

(St. Paul, MN - 5/6/08) Florida's Lotte and Eddie Branigan have once again earned, and accepted, their invitations to represent themselves and their state at the Best of the US Championship in Tempe, AZ on October 26. This is Eddie's second invitation. He placed 7th at last year's Championship. Lotte has won her qualifier in each of the four seasons that the BOUS Series has been contested. The 2006 US Athlete of the Year placed 2nd in each of the first two Championships but was unable to compete in 2007 due to a collarbone injury. She was replaced by Angela Hygema, who placed 11th at the Championship. Angela finished in the first passdown position at this year's Florida Qualifier (Zepher Hills Sprint - St. Augustine on May 3).

In other weekend qualifier action, 2007 USAT All AMerican Chad Hon and rising star Hallie Blunck were to Alabama finishers at the Alabama Coastal Triathlon on May 3. And 15-year-old Mason Boyles and Chris Tommerdahl, both 2007 All Americans, won the White Lake Sprint Triathlon / North Carolina Qualifier on May 4.

FLORIDA (Zephyr Sports Sprint - St. Augustine - May 3)
WINNER: EDDIE BRANIGAN 36, Vero Beach & LOTTE BRANIGAN, 34, Vero Beach
PASSDOWN #1: Andrea Ugazio, 43, Kissimmee & Angela Hygema, 33, Dania Beach
PASSDOWN #2: Evan Evans, 33, Palm Coast & Juie Olsen, 27, Ormond Beach

ALABAMA (Alabam Coastal Triathlon - May 3)
WINNER: Chad Hon, 39, Mobile & Halle Blunck, 24, Mountain Brook
PASSDOWN #1: Johnny Harrison, 48, Fairhope & Lori Goldweber,* 45, Homewood
PASSDOWN #2: Morgan Ramey*, 40, Helena & Julie Vanzandt, 27, Birmingham

* Goldweber & Ramey are former AL representatives.

NORTH CAROLINA (White Lake Sprint - May 4)
WINNER: MASON DOYLES, 15, Wilmington & Chris Tommerdahl, 22, Chapel Hill
PASSDOWN #1: David Sokolofsky, 27, Wilmington & Brianne Godwin, 30, Mebane
PASSDOWN #2: Robert Ferris, 26, Cary & Alysia Lovgrenm 30, Durham

LOUISANA (Hidden Paradise Sprint - May 4)

WINNER: BEN HALL,* 17, Ruston & KATIE WHITE, 39, Monroe
PASSDOWN #1: Nathan Davis, 22, Ruston & Melanie Rowton, 36, West Monroe
PASSDOWN #2: John Bullock, 37, Shreveport & Kim Kippling, 40, Ruston

* Ben represented LA at the 2007 BOUS Championship, finishing 19th.

PRIOR QUALIFIERS:

HAWAII (Lavaman Triathlon - April 6)
WINNER: LUIS DE LA TORRE, 40, Kailua Kona & Shonny Vanandingham, 39, Captain Cook
PASSDOWN #1: John Flanagan, 33, Mililani & Sandra Ferriera, 39, Kaneohe
PASSDOWN #2: Tai Blechta, 29, Honolulu & Yarden Danker, 51, Keauhou

NEVADA (Rage in the Sage - April 19)
WINNER: PHILLIP GLENN, 32, Reno & DANA GINSBURG, 43, Reno
PASSDOWN #1: Chris Fetter, 30, Las Vegas & Andrea Lindsey, 20, Gardnerville
PASSDOWN #2: Michael Olsen, 39, Las Vegas & Christine Brown, 42, Henderson


* ACCEPTED INVITATIONS CAPITALIZED

----------------------------------------------------------------

Four states will stage their BOUS qualifying races on the weekend of May 3-4. On the 3rd, Florida's (Zephyrhills Sprint - St. Augustine) and Alabama's (Alabama Coastal Triathlon) events will be contested. North Carolina (White Lake Sprint) and Louisiana (Hidden Paradise Sprint) will produce their races on the 4th. Stay tuned for race reports and results.

The following BOUS athletes turned in noteworthy performances in the Elite Amateur competition at the 25th annual St. Anthony's Triathlon on April 27:

Men:

Eric Bell (2007 TN representative) finished 2nd.
Craig Greenslit (3-time CO representative) placed 3rd
Philippe Kozub (2-time MD representative; defending BOUS National champ) placed 5th. *

(* Philippe was inadvertantly assessed a stand-down penalty because the official assumed he was a pro. This may have cost Philippe a position or two.)

Women:

Lotte Branigan (2-time FL representative) finished 3rd.
Jennifer Harrison (2007 IL representative) finished 8th.

The elite amateur division drew 214 credentialed triathletes from around the country.

As top Nevada finishers at the Rage in the Sage / Best of the US Nevada Qualifier, 2006 representative Phillip Glenn and 2007 representative Dana Ginsburg, both of Reno, earned the right to return to the Best of the US National Championship, which will be hosted by the Soma Quarterman in Tempe, AZ on October 26. "It's always great to welcome back BOUS alumni," said Trudy Marshall, Best of the US' Executive Director. "We sure hope that they will accept their invitations." If they are unable to do so, the next male athletes in line are Chris Fetter and Michael Olsen. In passdown positions for the women are Andrea Lindsey and Christine Brown.

Next Qualifiers: South Carolina (Clemson Sprint Triathlon) & Utah (St. George Olympic) on May 10

HAWAII (Lavaman Triathlon - April 6)
WINNER: LUIS DE LA TORRE, 40, Kailua Kona & Shonny Vanandingham, 39, Captain Cook
PASSDOWN #1: John Flanagan, 33, Mililani & Sandra Ferriera, 39, Kaneohe
PASSDOWN #2: Tai Blechta, 29, Honolulu & Yarden Danker, 51, Keauhou

NEVADA (Rage in the Sage - April 19)
WINNER: PHILLIP GLENN, 32, Reno & DANA GINSBURG, 43, Reno
PASSDOWN #1: Chris Fetter, 30, Las Vegas & Andrea Lindsey, 20, Gardnerville
PASSDOWN #2: Michael Olsen, 39, Las Vegas & Christine Brown, 42, Henderson

FLORIDA (Zephyr Sports Sprint - St. Augustine - May 3)
WINNER: EDDIE BRANIGAN, 36, Vero Beach & LOTTE BRANIGAN, 34, Vero Beach
PASSDOWN #1: Andrea Ugazio, 43, Kissimmee & Angela Hygema, 33, Dania Beach
PASSDOWN #2: Evan Evans, 33, Palm Coast & Juie Olsen, 27, Ormond Beach

ALABAMA (Alabam Coastal Triathlon - May 3)
WINNER: Chad Hon, 39, Mobile & Halle Blunck, 24, Mountain Brook
PASSDOWN #1: Johnny Harrison, 48, Fairhope & Lori Goldweber, 45, Homewood
PASSDOWN #2: Morgan Ramey, 40, Helena & Julie Vanzandt, 27, Birmingham

NORTH CAROLINA (White Lake Sprint - May 4)
WINNER: MASON DOYLES, 15, Wilmington & Chris Tommerdahl, 22, Chapel Hill
PASSDOWN #1: David Sokolofsky, 27, Wilmington & Brianne Godwin, 30, Mebane
PASSDOWN #2: Robert Ferris, 26, Cary & Alysia Lovgrenm 30, Durham

LOUISANA (Hidden Paradise Sprint - May 4)

WINNER: BEN HALL,* 17, Ruston & KATIE WHITE, 39, Monroe
PASSDOWN #1: Nathan Davis, 22, Ruston & Melanie Rowton, 36, West Monroe
PASSDOWN #2: John Bullock, 37, Shreveport & Kim Kippling, 40, Ruston

Accepted Slots are capitalized

(April 6, 2008) Former amateur World Champion Luis De La Torre (Kailua Kona) and mountain bike star Shony Vanlandingham (Captain Cook) were the first resident amateur finishers at the 11th annual Lavaman on April 6. De La Torre placed 3rd overall behind Texan James Cotter and Honolulu pro Tim Marr. Vanlandingham, a newcomer to road tris (she placed 7th at the 2007 Xterra Word Champs), was beaten only by professionals Bree Wee (USAT Athlete of the Year in 2007), Tyler Stewart (CA) and Jessica Kirkwood (CAN).

De La Torre, 40, was living in Arizona when he became a triathlete at the age of 13 and was one of the Grand Canyon State's premier triathletes for many years before relocating to Hawaii. He has told BOUS Management that looks forward to returning to his former home state to compete at the 2008 Best of the US Championship on October 26 in Tempe.

De La Torre was brilliant in 2007. His racing highlights include victories at the Honolulu Triathlon and Honolulu 70.3, a 2nd place finish at Lavaman and a top 15 effort at the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship (9:11:23).

"Vanlandingham is an amazing athlete, capable of excelling at any endurance sport she pursues," says BOUS PR Director Jerry MacNeil. "We certainly hope she will accept her invitation to represent Hawaii at this year's Championship."

BOUS Management is grateful to Lavaman Director, Gerry Rott, who will provide travel stipends for Hawaii's BOUS qualifiers.

LAVAMAN / BEST OF THE US HAWAII QUALIFIER:

WINNER: Luis De La Torre, 40, Kailua Kona & Shonny Vanandingham, 39, Captain Cook
PASSDOWN #1: John Flanagan, 33, Mililani & Sandra Ferriera, 39, Kaneohe
PASSDOWN #2: Tai Blechta, 29, Honolulu & Yarden Danker, 51, Keauhou

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 31, 2008

CONTACT: Carrie Rollins 615-414-1876
carrie@team-magic.com; www.team-magic.com



Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon Celebrates 2nd Year with New Qualifier Status as the Best of the USA Amateur Competition Qualifier for the State of Alabama


Gulf Shores / Orange Beach, Alabama — Competitors from weekend warriors to elite-level athletes will converge on Saturday, May 3rd for the 2nd annual Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon. This event is held at a perfect time of year on Alabama's beautiful gulf coast. The main staging area is at the almost new Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion with the swim 1000 yards in the Gulf of Mexico, bike 19.5 miles on the beach front roads and serene Gulf State Park roads, and finish with a 4.5 mile beach front road run. A post race part and award ceremony at a local beach restaurant and bar just down the street from the main staging and race finish will add the final punch for a great race day.

Designated as the USA Triathlon Intermediate Distance State Championship - racers from the State of Alabama will compete for champion status in the male and female categories for overall, junior, masters, grand masters and physically challenged. Additionally, state championship status also gives regional racers a chance at more national ranking points with USA Triathlon.

New $4,990 cash purse offered to attract elite amateur racers – while this event invites all levels of competition, top regional racers will be vying for a cash purse of just under $5k divided between the top five men and women overall and the top three male and female masters (40+.)

Special thanks to new title sponsor Brett Robinson specializing in Vacation Rentals, Real Estate Sales and Development.

For more information on the Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon or any of its entrants, contact: Carrie Rollins at carrie@team-magic.com or 615-414-1876.

See the following page for rave reviews for the inaugural 2007 event.
Rave Reviews from 2007 Competitors:

Thanks for a great race this past weekend. It is destined to become a new favorite. You'll did a great job!!!

Nerrin and George Zaharias
Birmingham, AL

Thank you Team Magic for bringing the Alabama Coastal Tri to Gulf Shores. You guys did an outstanding job and I see this event doubling in size next year. The course is perfect and the organization and dedication to this event was the best I’ve seen. I will see you next year.

Sincerely,
Lisa Blount
Mobile, Al

Great race, nice venue and very well organized.

Thanks.
Johnny Harrison

Great event and first class. Thanks. If there is a way to move to saturday in a few years might be better day for event with Sunday church. Thanks again for great event
--------------------------
Sent from john@white-spunner.com

I must say that the race this past weekend in Orange Beach / Gulf Shores had to be one of my all time favorites. I will certainly be back next year and put the word out about how well it was run. Great job by Team Magic and all the volunteers who made it happen. I am looking at the schedule of races that Team Magic's puts on to see if I can make it to any. Awesome job and thanks for a great day.

Matt Leland

I just want to thank both of you for the event this weekend. You couldn’t ask for better weather. Though I was slow, I had a blast! I think everyone did. Team-Magic is so easy to work with and that’s why you all have such a loyal following! Have a great day!

Regards,
Kent Scroggins
Customer Service Representative
American Flow Control

Faye & Therese,
Just a note to say how impressed I was with the Team Magic staff/organization on Sunday. This was the first Team Magic event I've ever participated in but certainly not the last! I'm fairly new to this sport and learn do's and don't's with every event. Not all organizations pay as much attention to detail and safety as yours. I did awful on the run and I must apologize for my frustration at the finish. Heat is a big hindrance to those of us living with MS. There's always next time . . .

Once again, thanks for a great experience! Beth Price #168

(3/31/08) The opening day of the 2008 Best of the US season is less than a week away. Kicking things off, as usual, is Hawaii's popular Lavaman Triathlon on April 6. Hawaii is a small state but boasts a plethora of talented triathletes. At the top of the list is Kailua-Kona's Bree Wee (now a pro), who was named USAT Athlete of the Year in 2007. And then there's Honolulu's Rachel Ross is a two-time USAT AOY Honorable Mention. Among the other stars are former Xterra World Champion Marion Summerer and 1989 amatuer World Champion Luis Delatorre..

BOUS Management recently sent out an e-mail to the top 10 male and female finishers at the 2007 Best of the US Championship asking if they hope to win their respective qualifiers and represent themselves and states at the 2008 Champs. The following triathletes responded positively to our query: The top five men in 2007--Philippe Kozub (MD), Scott Myers (OH), Mark Harms (WI), Rob Webster, Jr. (WA) and Craig Greenslit (CO). Additionally, the 7th place (Florida's Eddie Branigan) and 8th place (New Mexico's Clay Moseley) men are seeking a return engagement. For the women, Wisconsin's Cindi Bannink (4th), Illinois' Jennifer Harrison (7th) and Ohio's Andrea Myers (10th) hope to return. Women's champ Katie Ellis (AZ) and runner-up Kim Webster (MA) contacted us to let us know that they now have pro licenses and are thus ineligible. Minnesota's Cathy Yndestad (MN) also responded, saying that she will bypass BOUS and focus on the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship.

We are also pleased to announce that Tennessee's Bruce Gennari (4th in 2005 & 2006) wishes to return, as does Florida's Lotte Branigan (2nd in 2005 & 2006).

And special congratulations to New Mexico's Clay Moseley and Dina Pesenson, both two-time BOUS representatives, who are expecting their first child in July.

(St. Paul, MN – 2/27/08) Best of the US Management is pleased to announce that five of the triathletes who competed in the 2007 BOUS National Championship in Cypress Gardens, Florida, have earned USA Triathlon post-season honors, four as Honorable Mention in the “Athlete of the Year” category, and one for Honorable Mention “Master of the Year.” They are (alphabetically):

PHILIPPE KOZUB, 32, Bethesda, MD: 2007 USAT Athlete of the Year Honorable Mention
Winner of the BOUS Championship in 2007 and runner-up in the 2006 Championship,
Kozub was given high marks by the USAT AOY Selection Committee for his versatility.
He demonstrated excellence at distances ranging from sprint to 70.3.
2007 Season Highlights:
1st @ Best of the US Championship
1st @ Crawfishman
1st @ Louisiana Triathlon
2nd @ Dallas US Open (behind USAT AOY Daniel Bretscher)
2nd @ Accenture Chicago Triathlon (behind Bretscher)
2nd @ Half Max National Championship (behind Bretscher)
2nd amateur @ Eagleman Ironman 70.3
2nd amateur @ Columbia Triathlon
2nd @ River Cities Triathlon
2nd @ Mini Musselman Half Triathlon
5th @ USAT Age Group National Championship (3rd 30-34M)

KATIE ELLIS, 22, Phoenix, AZ: 2007 USAT AOY Honorable Mention
Only eventual AOY Bree Wee, herself a BOUS alum, got more support that Ellis for Athlete
of the Year honors. Ellis, an age group world champion, won the 2007 Best of the US title.
Like Wee, Katie has recently procured a pro license.
2007 Season Highlights:
1st @ Best of the US Championship
1st @ Soma Half
1st @ Tempe International, Rocky Point, Race for the Cure, Tempe Olympic
and Sahuarita BOUS Arizona Qualifier
2nd @ USAT Collegiate National Championship
3rd @ ITU World Championship-Hamburg, GER (20-24W World Champion)
6th @ USAT Age Group Nationals (3rd 20-24W)


KIM WEBSTER, 31, Framingham, MA: 2007 USAT AOY Honorable Mention
Strong and very versatile, Webster almost caught Ellis at last year’s BOUS Champs.
When the dust cleared, only two seconds separated these two talented athletes. In addition
to her success in road tris, Kim is also an accomplished Xterra, i.e. off-road, triathlete.
2007 Season Highlights:
1st amateur @ Timberman 70.3
1st amateur @ Lake Stevens 70.3
1st amateur @ Philadelphia Triathlon
2nd @ Best of the US Championship
2nd amateur @ Mooseman Half
2nd @ Lobsterman Triathlon

CATHY YNDESTAD, 29, Apple Valley, MN: 2007 USAT AOY Honorable Mention
Cathy enjoyed a breakout season in 2007, winning eight of the twelve races she entered. She
won the prestigious Life Time Fitness Series handily, triumphing by big margins against talented
fields at Minneapolis and Dallas, and taking second at Chicago. In the most exciting finish
in BOUS’s brief history, Cathy placed third at the Best of the US Championship, only 10
seconds behind Ellis and eight behind Webster.
2007 Season Highlights:
1st @ Life Time Fitness – Minneapolis
1st @ Dallas US Open – Life Time Fitness Series Championship
1st amateur @ Newfoundland 70.3
1st @ Heart of the Lakes / Minnesota State Triathlon Championship
(the day after she won Life Time Fitness – Minneapolis)
1st @ Pigman Sprint, Manitou Sprint & Timberman (MN) Olympic
2nd @ Accenture Chicago (Life Time Fitness Elite Series)
3rd @ Best of the US Championship
3rd @ ITU Hy-Vee Des Moines
10:12 @ Ironman Florida

STACY ORCUTT, 41, Seattle, WA: 2007 USAT Master of the Year Honorable Mention
Regionally invincible, Stacy is one of a handful of American “Super Masters.” A fourth place
overall finish at USAT Age Group Nationals was the highlight of her season.
2007 Season Highlights (National level):
1st master / 4th overall @ USAT Age Group Nationals
1st master / 2nd overall @ Seafair
1st master / 12th overall @ Best of the US Championship



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

More info:
Jerry MacNeil, PR Director: 651-714-1829 or jerry@midwestevents.com
www.bestoftheustriathletes.com

Like fellow BOUS Champions Margie Shapiro and Heidi Grimm, Arizona's Katie Ellis has procured a pro license. In the first three years of the program's existence, an estimated 20-25 BOUS alumni have made the jump from elite age-group to pro status. Other noteables in this group include Georgia's David Silver, 2006 BOUS men's champ, Hawaii's Bree Wee, California's Jim Vance, Missouri's Jillian Peterson, Idaho's Kevin Everett and Washington's Chris Tremonte,

Attention BOUS Athletes: If you have gotten your pro license, let us know (jerry@midwestevents.com) so that we may publish your names here and in future press releases.

“BEST OF THE US” INVITES HAWAII’S BEST TO RACE AT THE
LAVAMAN TRIATHLON ON APRIL 6!

(St. Paul, MN – 2/2/2008)–– “Best of the US” Management and the Hawaii Sports Connection invite the talented triathletes of the Aloha State to race at the 11th annual LAVAMAN / BEST OF THE US HAWAII QUALIFIER at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast on April 6. This annual classic is billed as “The Best & Most Scenic Post Race Party in Triathlon!!!” “We are thrilled with our continuing relationship with Gerry Rott and her Lavaman crew, “ says BOUS Executive Director Trudy Marshall. “They produce a model event.”

Three Hawaiian triathletes, Ben Collins, Bree Wee and Rachel Ross, are being considered for 2007 USAT Athlete of the Year honors. Collins and Ross earned AOY Honorable Mention status in 2006. Collins and Wee have now entered the pro ranks, but Ross and 2007 Lavaman resident amateur winner Luis Delatorre, 1989 Amateur World Champion, are expected to toe the line at Lavaman ’08. Delatorre grew up in Arizona and is anxious to return for the 2008 Best of the US Championship in Tempe, AZ on October 26. “Ross and Delatorre would give Hawaii a podium-worthy team in Tempe,” says BOUS PR Director Jerry MacNeil. “But the Aloha State has many other great triathletes—Kurt Chambers, Kalen Darling, Tai Blechta, Peter Hursty, Marion Summerer, Susan Burr, Emily King, Katherine Nichols, to name a few—and will field a formidable team, no matter who advances.”

BOUS Management is indebted to the Hawaii Sports Connection, who will provide their advancing athletes with a stipend to help defray some of their travel costs.

For more information on the Lavaman Triathlon, vist http://www.bestoftheustriathletes.com/states/HI or http://www.lavamantriathlon.com.

RAGE IN THE SAGE TRIATHLON INVITES NEVADA’S BEST
TO COMPETE AT THE 2008 “BEST OF THE US” NEVADA QUALIFIER!

(St. Paul, MN – 2/2/2008)–– ”Best of the US” Management is pleased to announce that the 5th annual RAGE IN THE SAGE TRIATHLON will once again host the official 2008 “Best of the US” Nevada State Qualifier. The fastest male and female resident amateurs will earn the right to represent the Silver State at the 4th “Best of the US Championship,” which will be hosted by the Soma Quarterman in Tempe, Arizona on October 26.

The RAGE IN THE SAGE TRIATHLON, which features very challenging Olympic and sprint distance races (the Olympic race is the qualifier), is slated for April 19 and will me staged at majestic Lake Mead National Recreation Area southeast of Las Vegas. RAGE IN THE SAGE, which hosted every past edition of the “Best of the US” Nevada Qualifier is expertly produced by BBSC Endurance Sports. “BBSC Endurance Sports will also produce the 2008 SGTRI / Utah Qualifier on May 10. We’re very pleased to have a continuing relationship with Brogg Sterrett and his BBSC team,” says Trudy Marshall, “Best of the US” Executive Director. “We anticipate super events on April 19 and May 10.”

There is no shortage of triathlon talent in Nevada. Las Vegas and Reno, especially, boast thriving triathlon communities. Some of the athletes we hope to see on May include past representatives Danny Murphy (2005, 2007), Cynthia Platko (2005), Philip Glenn (2006), Karen Lasko (2006) and Dana Ginsburg (2007) plus the talented likes of Chris Fetter, Al Thresher, James Ketron, super-masters Darrin Rohr and Shannon Cutting, Kim Watson, Colleen Knutson, Becky Lamph, Michelle Behm and Kim Jefferson. Any male/female combination of these athletes (and others who will emerge in 2008) would provide a strong Nevada presence at the “Best of the US Championship” on October 26.”

For more information on RAGE IN THE SAGE, visit http://www.bbscendurancesports.com/.

(St. Paul, MN - 12/26/2007) BOUS Management is pleased to announce that the
Soma Quarterman will host the 4th annual Best of the US Championship in
Tempe, Arizona. Race date is Sunday, October 26, 2008. Together with the
accompanying half-distance race, the event attracts over 1,700 athletes.

"Red Rock Company produces first class events," said BOUS Executive Director
Trudy Marshall. "We're excited to be working with their team and expect
nothing but the best for the Best of the U.S. Representatives from the 50
states."

The Soma event is staged at Tempe Town Lake, site of Ironman Arizona. It is
located just minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport, and blocks from
Tempe's dynamic Mill Avenue attractions and Arizona State University.


2008 BOUS Schedule by date:

April 6-HAWAII--Lavaman Triathlon (lavamantriathlon.com)
April 19-NEVADA-Rage in the Sage Triathlon (www.bbscendurnacesports.com)
May 3-FLORIDA-Zephyr Sport Sprint (www.familyfitnessweekend.com)
May 4-LOUISIANA-Hidden Paradise Triathlon (www.dltmultisport.com)
May 4-NORTH CAROLINA-White Lake Sprint Triathlon (www.setupevents.com)
May 10-SOUTH CAROLINA-Clemson Triathlon (www.setupevents.com)
May 10-UTAH-St. George Triathlon (SGTRI) (www.bbscendurancesports.com)
May 18-MARYLAND / DC-Columbia Triathlon (www.tricolumbia.org)
May 18-TEXAS-Buffman & Squeaky (www.buffalospringslaketriathlon.com)
May 24-KENTUCKY-Bufalo Trails Triathlon (www.buffalotrialsraces.com)
May 26-ARIZONA-Sahuarita Lake Triathlon (www.tritucson.com)
June 1-IOWA-Pigman Sprint Triathlon (www.pigmantri.com)
June 1-PENNSYLVANIA-Black Bear Sprint Triathlon (to be confirmed) (www.cgiracing.com)
June 2-OKLAHOMA-Route 66 Triathlon (www.triokc.org)
June 7 (date tentative)-IDAHO-Ymca Spudman Triathlon (www.ymcatvidaho.org)
June 7-NEW MEXICO-Milkman Triathlon (www.milkmantriathlon.com)
June 8-ALABAMA-Buster Britton Memorial (www.team-magic.com)
June 8-NORTH DAKOTA-Bismarck Triathlon (www.bestoftheustriathletes.com/states/ND)
June 14-CONNECTICUT-Pat Griskus Olympic Triathlon (www.patgriskustri.com)
June 15-WISCONSIN-Wisconsin Triterium Triathlon (www.triloop.org)
June 21-MONTANA-Janet Clarkson Memorial Triathlon (www.janetstriathlon.org)
June 21-SOUTH DAKOTA-Dakota Man Triathlon (www.bestoftheustriathletes.com/states/ND)
June 21-WYOMING-Janet Clarkson Memorial Triathlon (www.janetstriathlon.org)
June 22-ARKANSAS-Ozark Valley Triathlon (www.ozarkvalleytriathlon.com)
June 28-COLORADO-Loveland lake to Lake Triathlon (www.lovelandlaketolake.com)
June 28-INDIANA-Midwest Sprint Optismist Triathlon (www.warsawoptimist.org/pages/triathlon.htm)
June 29-MICHIGAN-Kensington Triathlon (www.theelementevents.com)
June 29-MINNESOTA-Lake Waconia Triathlon (www.lakewaconiatriathlon.net)
June 29-WEST VIRGINIA-Med Express Mountaineer International (www.mountaineertri.com)
July 12-NEW YORK-Mini-Musselman Triathlon (www.musselmantri.com)
July 13-KANSAS-Shawnee Mission Triathlon (www.jcprd.com)
July 13-TENNESSEE-Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon (www.team-magic.com)
July 13-GEORGIA-West Point Lake Triathlon (www.gamultisports.com)
July 19-ILLINOIS-Evergreen Lake International Triathlon (http://tri-shark.org/web/EvergreenTri2)
July 19-WASHINGTON-Chelanman International Triathlon (www.chelanman.com)
July 26-MISSISSIPPI-Heart O' Dixie Triathlon (www.heartodixietri.racesonline.com)
July 27-NEBRASKA-Cornhusker State Games Triathlon (www.cornhuskerstategames.com/index.sp)
July 27-NEW JERSEY-New Jersey State Triathlon (www.cgiracing.com)
August 2-RHODE ISLAND-Block Island Triathlon (www.blockislandchamber.com)
August 2-MISSOURI-Quartermax Triathlon (www.ultramaxtri.com)
August 2-VERMONT-Lake Dunmore Triathlon (www.vermontsun.com)
August 3-ALASKA-Northern Trust Triathlon (www.akstatetriathlon.com)
August 16-VIRGINIA-Luray International Triathlon (www.setupevents.com)
August 17-OHIO-Vermilion Harbor Triathlon (www.hfpracing.com)
August 24-MAINE-Fireman Sprint Triathlon (www.wkfiretri.com)
August 31-OREGON-Oregon Trout City of Portland Triathlon (www.portlandtri.com)
September 6-NEW HAMPSHIRE-YMCA Triathlon at Clough State Park (http://concordymca.org/event/cloughtri.asp)
September 7-CALIFORNIA-Pacific Coast Triathlon (www.pacificcoasttriathlon.com)
September 20--MASSACHUSETTS-Duxbury Beach Triathlon (www.duxburybeachtriathlon.com)
September 21-Make-A-Wish Triathlon at Sea Colony (www.tricolumbia.org)
OCTOBER 26-BEST OF THE US CHAMPIONSHIP hosted by the Soma Quarterman (www.redrockco.com)

For more information on the Best of the US Amateur Triathlete Competition, contact
Jerry Macneil at 651-246-5128 or jerry@midwestevents.com.

“BEST OF THE US” ANNOUNCES 2008 STATE QUALIFIERS

(St. Paul, MN – 12/17/07) The following races are the official qualifying events for the 2008 Best of the US National Championship, which will be hosted by the Soma Quarterman in Tempe, Arizona on October 26. The top male and female resident amateurs at each event will earn the right to represent themselves and their states at the Championship.

ALABAMA – Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon on June 8 at Oak Mountain State Park south of Birmingham, AL. Distances: 400 yard swim – 12.6 mile bike – 3 mile run. Race Director: Team-Magic / Therese Bynum @ 205-595-8633 (therese@team-magic.com)

ALASKA – Northern Trust Triathlon / Alaska State Triathlon Championship on August 3 at Knik Lake in Knik, AK. Intermediate distance. Race Director: Turkey Toe Events @ 907-243-4709 (moflem@acsalaska.net)

ARIZONA – Sahuarita Lake Triathlon, Presented by Rancho Sahuarita, on Monday, May 26 in Sahuarita, south of Tucson, AZ. Distances: 1K swim – 25K bike – 5K run. Race Director: Tri Tucson / Jim & Rane Stites (racedirector@tritucson.com)

ARKANSAS – Ozark Valley Triathlon on June 22 at Lake Wedington Park near Fayetteville, AR. Distances: 1000 yard swim – 19 mile bike – 4 mile run. Race Director: All Sports Productions, Inc. / Bruce Dunn @ 479-521-7766 (bruce@misterguy.com)

CALIFORNIA – Pacific Coast Triathlon on September 7 at Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach. Distances: ˝ mile swim – 12 mile bike – 3 mile run. Race Director: Bill Leach @ 949-701-5590 (billleach@sbcglobal.net)

COLORADO – Loveland Lake to Lake Triathlon on June 28 at North Lake Park in Loveland, CO. Distances: Swim 1.5K – bike 30 miles – Run 10K). Race Director: Peggy Shockley @ 970-669-6372 (peggy@lovelandlaketolake.com)

CONNECTICUT – Pat Griskus Olympic Triathlon on June 14 at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, CT. Distances: 1 mile swim – 25 mile bike – 10K run. Race Director: Tom Wilkas @ 860-868-0540 (twilkas@snet.net)

DELAWARE – Make-A-Wish Triathlon at Sea Colony on September 21 at Bethany Beach, DE. Distances: Swim 1.5K – bike 36K – run 10K. Race Director: Columbia Triathlon Association / Rob Vigorito @ 410-964-1246 (events@tricolumbia.org)

FLORIDA – Zephyr Sport Sprint Triathlon on May 3 at Crescent Beach in St. Augustine, FL. Distances: .5 mile swim – 13 mile bike – 5K run. Race Director: Exclusive Sports Marketing @ 561-241-3801 (ffw@exclusivesports.com)

GEORGIA – West Point Lake Triathlon on July 13 at West Point Lake near LeGrange, GA. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Georgia Multisports / Jim Rainey (jim@gamultisports.com)

HAWAII – 11th Anniversary Lavaman Triathlon on April 6 at Waikoloa Beach on the Kohala Coast. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Gerry Rott (racedirector@lavamantriathlon.com)

IDAHO – YMCA Spudman Triathlon on June 7 (date tentative) at Springs Shores Marina in Boise. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Tim Severa @ 208-859-7953 (tim.severa@ymcatvidaho.org)

ILLINOIS – Evergreen Lake International Triathlon, presented by Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission, on July 19 at Comlara County Park in Hudson, IL. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Tri-Mom Events, LLC / Colleen Klein @ 309-212-6830 (trimomevents@verizon.net)

INDIANA – Mideast Sprint Optimists Triathlon on June 28 at Lake Winona Park near Warsaw, IN. Distances: Ľ mile swim – 13.5 mile bike – 3 mile run. Race Director: Ron Donkers (rondonkers@hotmail.com)

IOWA – Pigman Sprint Triathlon on June 1 at Pleasant Creek State Park near Cedar Rapids, IA. Distances: .5K swim – 25K bike – 5K run. Race Director: John Snitko at 319-373-0741 (john@pigmantri.com)

KANSAS – Shawnee Mission Triathlon on July 13 at Shawnee Mission Park in Shawnee Mission, KS. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Chad Tower @ 913-236-1231 (chad.tower@jocogov.org)

KENTUCKY – Buffalo Trails Triathlon on May 24 in Maysville, KY. Distances: .5 mile swim – 22 mile bike – 5K run. Race Director: Mark Day (activedc@maysvilleky.net)

LOUISIANA – Hidden Paradise Triathlon on May 4 at Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston, LA. Distances: 600 yard swim – 13 mile bike – 3.2 mile run. Race Director: DLT Event Management, Inc. / Fred Phillips @ 870-246-6686 (DLTevents@yahoo.com)

MAINE – Fireman Sprint Triathlon, the official triathlon of the Maine Games, on August 24 in Kennebunk, ME. Race Director: Jeff Cole (jdcole@coleharrison.com)

MARYLAND / DC – Columbia Triathlon, presented by Under Armour, on May 18 at Centennial Park in Ellicott City, MD. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Columbia Triathlon Association / Rob Vigorito (info@tricolumbia.org)

MASSACHUSETTS – Duxbury Beach Triathlon on September 20 (date tentative) at Duxbury Beach, MA. Distances: 1/2 mile swim - 13.7 mile bike - 3.3 mile run. Race Director: Brian Noyes at 781-706-1166 (director@duxburybeachtriathlon.com)

MICHIGAN – Kensington Triathlon on June 29 at Kensington Metropark/Maple Beach in Milford, MI. Distances: 800m swim – 15 mile bike – 4 mile run. Race Director: Jim Jackson (jim@theelementevents.com)

MINNESOTA – Lake Waconia Triathlon on June 29 in Waconia, MN. Distances: .5 mile swim – 16.5 mile bike – 4 mile run. Race Director: Tom Konrardy at 952-442-2825 (waconiatriathlon@aol.com).

MISSISSIPPI – Heart O’ Dixie Triathlon, presented by the Philadelphia Sertoma Club, on July 26 at Lake Tiak-O’Khata in Louisville, MS and finishes at Neshoba County Fairgrounds in Philadelphia, MS. Distances: .5 mile swim – 25.7 mile bike – 7 mile run. Race Director: John Williams at 601-562-2266 (john.willims2@cingular.com)

MISSOURI – Quartermax Triathlon at the Innsbrook Resort near St. Louis, MO on August 2. Distances: 1000 yard swim – 28 mile bike – 6.5 mile run. Race Director: Ultramax Events / Mark Livesay at 573-443-7036 (mark@ultramaxtri.com)

MONTANA – Janet Clarkson Memorial Triathlon on June 21 at the Madison Arm Resort near West Yellowstone, MT. Distances: .65 mile swim – bike 13.3 miles – run 4.2 miles. Race Director: Jack Clarkson @ 406-646-9328 (janetstriathlon@earthlink.net)

NEBRASKA – Nebraska State Games Triathlon, presented by Tiger Coaching and Villager Hotel, on July 27 at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln. Distances: 1K swim – 20K bike – 5K run. Race Director: Gary Bredehoft of Tiger Coaching & Personal Training @ 402-488-8280 (coach@tigercoaching.com)

NEW HAMPSHIRE – YMCA Triathlon at Clough State Park on September 6 at Clough State Park in Weare, NH. Distances: ˝ mile swim – Bike 14 miles – Run 3 miles. Race Director: Jeff Litchfield (nhactive@lycos.com)

NEW JERSEY – New Jersey State Triathlon on July 27 at Mercer County Park, NJ. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: CGI Racing / Larry & Michelle Redrow at 856-468-0925 (lredrow@cgievents.com)

NEW MEXICO – 24th Annual Milkman Triathlon on June 7 at Lake Van in Dexter, NM. Distances: .5K swim - 20K bike – 5K run. Race Director: Larry Marshall (lmarshall@fbfs.com)

NEVADA – Rage in the Sage Triathlon on April 19 at Lake Mead Recreational Area near Las Vegas, NV. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: BBSC Endurance Sports / Brogg Sterrett (race@bbscenduranesports.com)

NEW YORK – Mini Musselman Triathlon on July 12 in Geveva, NY. Distances: 500 yard swim – bike 15 miles – 3 mile run. Director: Jeff Henderson (jeff@onemillionrevolutions.com) or (jeff@portlandtri.com)

NORTH CAROLINA – White Lake Sprint Triathlon on May 4 at North Carolina FFA Center in White Lake, NC. Distances: 750m swim – 14 mile bike – 5K run. Race Director: Set Up Events / Bill Scott (bill@setupevents.com)

NORTH DAKOTA – Bismarck Triathlon on June 8 at Misty Waters Marina three miles north of Bismarck. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Dennis Kemmesat (dennisk@frontierprecision.com)

OHIO – Vermilion Harbour Triathlon on August 17 at Linwood Park in Vermilion, OH. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: HFP Racing / Shannon Kurek (customerservice@hfpracing.com)

OKLAHOMA – Route 66 Triathlon, presented by Tri-OKC and the City of El Reno, on June 2 at Lake El Reno in El Reno. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Tri-OKC / Steve Bussjaeger (steveb@hispaint.com)

OREGON – Oregon Trout City of Portland Triathlon on August 31 in Portland, OR. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Jeff Henderson (jeff@portlandtri.com)

PENNSYLVANIA – Black Bear Sprint Triathlon on June 1 at Beltzeville State Park. Distances: 750m swim – 18 mile bike – 5K run. Race Director: CGI Racing / Larry & Michelle Redrow (info@cgiracing.com)

RHODE ISLAND – Block Island Triathlon on August 2 at Fred Benson Town Beach in Block Island. Distances: Ľ mile swim – 12 mile bike – 4 mile run. Race Director: Robbie Closter (ecreation@new-shoreham.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA – Clemson Triathlon on May 10 at Foothills Family YMCA in Seneca, SC. Distances: 750m swim – 11 mile bike – 5K run. Race Director: Set Up Events / Jeremey Davis (jdavis@setupevents.com)

SOUTH DAKOTA – Dakota Man Triathlon on Saturday, June 21 at Lake Alvin near Harrisburg, SD. Distances: 600m swim – 16 mile bike – 3.5 mile run. Race Director: Howard Bich (habich@sio.midco.net)

TENNESSEE – Chattanooga Riverfront Triathlon on July 13 in downtown Chattooga. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Team-Magic / Faye Yates @ 415-460-9927 (faye@team-magic.com)

TEXAS – Buffman & Squeaky Triathlon on May 18 at Buffalo Springs Lake southeast of Lubbock, TX. Intermediate Distance. Race Directors: Mike & Marti Greer (marti@buffalospringslaketriathlon.com)

UTAH – St. George Triathlon (SGTRI) on May 10 at Sand Hollow Reservoir near St. George, UT. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: BBSC Endurance Sports / Brogg Sterrett (race@bbscendurancesports.com)

VERMONT – Lake Dunmore Triathlon on August 2 at Branbury State Park in Salisbury, VT. Distances: Swim .9 mile – Bike 28 miles – Run 10K. Race Director: Jerrod Rushton @ 802-388-6888 (vtsun@together.net)

VIRGINIA – Luray International Triathlon on August 16 at Lake Arrowhead Park in Luray, VA. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Set Up Events / Greg Hawkins at 336-577-2801 (greg@setupevents.com)

WASHINGTON - Chelanman Multisport Weekend on July 19 at Lake Chelan in Chelan, WA. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Total Health Events / Jonathan Hoskins at 360-325-0715 (info@totalhealthevents.com) (www.chalanman.com)

WEST VIRGINIA – Med Express Mountaineer International Triathlon on June 29 in Morgantown, WV. Intermediate Distance. Race Director: Scott Erdman / HFP Racing (scott2007@hfpracing.com)

WISCONSIN – Wisconsin Triterium Triathlon on June 15 at Fireman’s Park in Verona, WI. Intermediate Distance. Race Directors: Jim Bruskewitz & Dan Seymour (ep1@charter.net)

WYOMING – Janet Clarkson Memorial Triathlon on June 21 at the Madison Arm Resort near West Yellowstone, MT. Distances: .65 mile swim – bike 13.3 miles – run 4.2 miles. Race Director: Jack Clarkson @ 406-646-9328 (janetstriathlon@earthlink.net)

The 4th Annual BEST OF THE US NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP will be staged on October 26 at Tempe Beach Park in Tempe, AZ. Distances. 1000m swim – 30 mile bike – 6.55 mile run. Race Director: Red Rock Company / Jeff Suffolk @ 480-226-4729 (jeff@redrockco.com)

Note: Event dates are subject to change. Consult officlal event websites for updates.


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

More info:
Jerry MacNeil, PR Director: 651-714-1829 or 651-246-5128 (cell) or jerry@midwestevents.com
www.bestoftheustriathletes.com

Though the majority of state qualifying events remain unchanged, BOUS management is excited to welcome the following new races to the Best of the US program for 2008: Bismarck Olympic Triathlon (ND), City of Portland Triathlon (OR), Mini-Musselman (NY), Lake Dunmore Triathlon (VT), Loveland Lake to Lake Triathlon (CO), Buffman & Squeaky (TX), Fireman Sprint (ME), YMCA Triathlon at Clough State Park (NH), Block Island Sprint (RI), Chattanooga Waterfront (TN) and the St. George Triathlon (UT). New races serving Pennsylvania, Kansas, Delaware, Michigan and California will be announced soon, as well as the new Championship site. Hint: it will be staged at a Southwestern destination. Stay tuned for more news.

The following athletes who excelled in BOUS Championships turned in sterling efforts at the inaugural Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon in Dallas on October 14. The race served at the Life Time Fitness Series Championship and featured invited athletes who qualified at one of the following major tris: LTF-Minneapolis, New Yort City, Chicago and Los Angeles.

* Cathy Yndestad (MN) - 3rd @ BOUS '07; 6th @ BOUS '06 - won the women's race by 1:35!

* Philippe Kozub (MD) - 2007 BOUS Champion; 2nd @ BOUS '06 - placed 2nd
* Mark Harms (WI) - 3rd @ BOUS '07; 5th @ BOUS '06 - placed 4th
* Bruce Gennari (TN) - 4th at BOUS 2005 & 2006 - placed 3rd

Also...Hawaii's Bree Wee, 7th @ the 2005 BOUS Champs, was the fastest female amateur at the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship on Saturday, October 13. She placed 13th overall in 9:47:40, which lowered Kate Major's amateur mark by 1:53!

Fantastic photo galleries are up at these two sites:

http://www.bluecreekphotography.com

http://www.yndecam.com/Archive/Archive2007/BOUS.html
Check back frequently, as the gallery is being updated.

RESULTS:
http://www.stateofmindsports.com

Congratulations to all BOUS participants! (We apologize for the problems that prevented us posting earlier. We are entering the information by hand tonight - Sunday. Thanks for your patience. PS - Visit yndecam.com for text updates of the race & great photography!)

MEN:

1. PHILIPPE KOZUB (MD) S - 22:07 B - 0:59:08 R - 34:37 1:56:54
2. SCOTT MYERS (OH) S - 23:02 B - 0:59:22 R - 34:03 1:57:46
3. MARK HARMS (WI) S - 22:13 B - 1:00:46 R - 34:28 1:59:33
4. ROB WEBSTER, JR, 17 (WA) S - 22:30 B - 1:02:44 R - 33:10 1:59:41
5. CRAIG GREENSLIT (CO) S - 25:36 B - 0:59:30 R - 33:57 2:00:04
6. KELLY WILLIAMSON (WA) S - 25:03 B - 0:58:44 R - 36:06 2:01:01
7. EDDIE BRANIGAN (FL) S - 22:53 B - 1:01:00 R - 36:48 2:01:39
8. CLAY MOSELEY (NM) S - 26:08 B - 0:59:54 R - 35:28 2:02:29
9. JONATHAN KRICHEV (AL) S - 22:10 B - 1:02:34 R - 36:40 2:02:34
10. PATRICK BALDWIN (CA) S - 24:08 B - 1:02:50 R - 34:42 2:02:52
11. JEREMY SIPOS (GA) S - 26:07 B - 0:59:49 R - 36:01 2:03:11
12. CHRIS THOMAS (CT) S - 24:56 B - 1:02:08 R - 35:22 2:03:35
13. CAM HILL, 40 (AZ) S - 21:31 B - 1:02:51 R - 38:49 2:04:06
14. MARK WOODY (SC) S - 22:10 B - 1:03:02 R - 37:58 2:04:33
15. JEREMY SARTAIN (MN) S - 26:37 B - 0:57:59 R - 38:58 2:05:02
16. SONNI DYER, 40 (NC) S - 22:40 B - 1:02:08 R - 39:35 2:05:34
17. TODD SMITH (NY) S - 26:00 B - 1:05:13 R - 34:24 2:06:47
18. SAM DANNENBRING, 19 (SD) S - 27:14 B - 1:06:13 R - 35:10 2:09:34
19. BEN HALL, 16 (LA) S - 26:01 B - 1:04:53 R - 37:26 2:09:43
20. DANNY MURPHY, 42 (NV) S - 25:48 B - 1:04:16 R - 39:14 2:10:52
21. TOMMY MCWALTERS (ME) S - 29:06 B - 1:05:43 R - 35:24 2:11:38
22. ANTONIO GONZALES (ID) S - 27:39 B - 1:03:56 R - 39:01 2: 12:00
23. GARY TAYLOR, 44 (AR) S - 25:06 B - 1:06:28 R - 39:25 2:12:14
24. WILL ROSS, 18 (AK) S - 25:58 B - 1:04:20 R - 42:37 2:14:15
25. COLIN GINDLING (PA) S - 22:22 B - 1:06:57 R - 45:06 2:15:34
26. JON ARNE ENEVOLDSEN, 45 (VT) S - 31:11 B - 1:07:24 R - 37:16 2:17:20
27. ALBERTO LUGO (TX) S - 26:59 B - 1:06:17 R - 53:46 2:28:28
28. DEAN MCGOVERN (MT) S - 31:22 B - 1:12:08 R - 48:17 2:33:37
29. JEFF WILCOX (WY) S - 35:43 B - 1:19:09 R - 49:19 2:47:39

DNF: DANIEL AGNEW (OK), JASON MAURICE (IA), TIM CROWLEY (MA), ERIC BELL (TN)

WOMEN:

1. KATIE ELLIS (AZ) S - 23:40 B - 1:07:07 R - 37:08 2:09:23
2. KIM WEBSTER (MA) S - 25:27 B - 1:07:12 R - 35:39 2:09:31
3. CATHY YNDESTAD S - 22:50 B - 1:05:52 R - 40:02 2:09:33
4. CINDI BANNINK (WI) S - 22:30 B - 1:08:39 R - 39:56 2:12:00
5. AMANDA PAGON (VA) S - 22:23 B - 1:10:48 R - 38:53 2:13:07
6. HEATHER LEIGGI (PA) S - 26:35 B - 1:07:52 R - 39:41 2:15:07
7. JENNIFER HARRISON (IL) S - 23:23 B - 1:09:34 R - 41:14 2:15:40
8. LORI DESCHAMPS (AK) S - 27:33 B - 1:06:58 R - 39:59 2:15:52
9. STACEY RICHARDSON (NC) S - 24:15 B - 1:07:42 R - 43:12 2:16:17
10. ANDREA MYERS (OH) S - 26:05 B - 1:08:42 R - 40:34 2:16:34
11. ANGELA HYGEMA (FL) S - 26:49 B - 1:05:55 R - 44:32 2:18:38
12. TRACY ORCUTT, 40 (WA) S - 25:04 B - 1:07:35 R - 44:57 2:18:53
13. MARGOT HAIR (MS) 2:19:42
14. LOUISE NUNAN, 40 (NJ) S - 23:41 B - 1:10:57 R - 43:59 2:19:58
15. ALISON POE (KY) S - 27:18 B - 1:10:31 R - 40:39 2:20:15
16. CHRIS WICKARD (IN) S - 27:15 B - 1:09:46 R - 43:11 2:21:38
17. KIM FORDHAM-LIEN (SD) S - 25:25 B - 1:10:02 R - 45:02 2:21:38
18. KATE BARNOSKIE (KS) S - 25:30 B - 1:12:11 R - 42:50 2:22:18
19. KATHLEEN JOHNSTON, 48 (TN)S - 27:23 B - 1:10:02 R - 44:17 2:23:05
20. ELIZABETH HALL (NH) S - 26:45 B - 1:13:51 R - 41:41 2:23:53
21. MAIYA ANDERSON (CO) S - 23:37 B - 1:13:47 R - 45:19 2:23:56
22. KRISTA SCHULTZ (MD) S - 26:53 B - 1:11:53 R - 43:57 2:24:08
23. RACHEL CIESLEWSKI (UT) S - 32:10 B - 1:10:51 R - 40:03 2:24:45
24. PAOLA PASQUALINI (CA) S - 26:00 B - 1:11:34 R - 46:36 2:25:14
25. JULIE MURPHY, 42 (SC) S - 24:18 B - 1:18:26 R - 42:53 2:27:06
26. DANA GINSBURG, 42 (NV) S - 28:44 B - 1:11:21 R - 46:26 2:29:12
27. TRISH DEIM (ID) S - 30:36 B - 1:12:39 R - 44:56 2:29:47
28. BRITT HULBERT (ME) S - 28:36 B - 1:10:53 R - 48:23 2:30:06
29. JANIE DAVIS, 44 (AL) S - 28:44 B - 1:17:04 R - 48:45 2:36:34
30. DINA PESENSON (NM) S - 28:30 B - 1:15:15 R - 52:33 2:38:25
31. LAURIE PEMBERTON (WV) S - 28:37 B - 1:24:00 R - 45:43 2:38:31
32. JENNIFER HIRSCH (TX) S - 33:37 B - 1:20:14 R - 49:16 2:45:01

DNF: SHANNON CHASTEEN (OK), JENNIFER NEWELL (NE)

FASTEST STATE TEAMS:

1. WISONSIN – Mark Harms / Cynthia Bannink 4:11:34
2. ARIZONA – Cam Hill / Katie Ellis 4:13:30
3. VIRGINIA – Kelly Williamson / Amanda Pagon 4:14:08
4. OHIO – Scott Myers / Andrea Myers 4:14:41
5. MINNESOTA - Jeremy Sartain /Cathy Yndestad 4:14:36
6. WASHINGTON - Rob Webster Jr / Tracy Orcutt 4:18:35
7. FLORIDA - Eddie Branigan / Angela Hygema 4:20:18
8. MARYLAND – Philippe Kozub / Krista Schultz 4:21:03
9. NORTH CAROLINA – Sonni Dyer / Stacey Richardson 4:21:52
10. COLORADO – Craig Greenslit / Maiya Anderson 4:24:00
11. CALIFORNIA – Patrick Baldwin / Paola Pasqualini 4:28:07
12. ALASKA – Will Ross / Lori Deschamps 4:30:08
13. PENNSYLVANIA – Colin Gundling / Heather Leiggi 4:30:41
14. SOUTH DAKOTA – Sam Dannenbring / Kim Fordham-Lein 4:31:12
15. SOUTH CAROLINA – Mark Woody / Julie Murphy 4:31:39
16. ALABAMA – Jonathan Krichev / Janie Davis 4:39:09
17. NEVADA – Danny Murphy /Dana Ginsburg 4:40:04
18. NEW MEXICO – Clay Moseley / Dina Pesenson 4:40:54
19. MAINE – Tommy McWalters / Britt Hulbert 4:41:44
20. IDAHO – Antonio Gonzalez / Trish Deim 4:41:48
21. TEXAS – Alberto Lugo / Jennifer Hirsch 5:13:30

Link to: http://www.stateofmindsports.com


Results do not include transition splits. Raceday weather: hot (85-91 degrees), very humid, breezy

October 6, 2007 - Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven, FL - A year ago, Philippe Kozub emerged from the abyss of apparently career-ending injuries, taking the Best of the U.S. race by storm and finishing second. The 32-year-old from Bethesda, Maryland vowed on the spot to come back in 2007, with the intention of winning. Today he made good––on a wheel borrowed from a citizen racer, no less.

The lead group of men came out of the water fast and furious, led by 40-year-old former pro from Arizona, Cam Hill. But by the first loop of the bike Kozub had taken control, and he held it til the finish. Victory was no guarantee, however, as Ohio’s Scott Myers turned in what Kozub called “the performance of the day”, steadily making up ground. By about a mile into the first 5K loop, Myers had closed the gap to about a minute, ran the second 5K faster than the first and ended 52 seconds back. “I wasn’t sure I could hold on,” said Kozub. “I went out too hard, I didn’t pace myself well, and I wasn’t sure I could hold on.” An elated Scott Myers, meanwhile, is on his way to Kona, having qualified just a few weeks ago at Ironman Louisville, with his wife and BOUS teammate Andrea, who likewise qualified at Louisville and placed 10th today. Team Ohio took home 4th Fastest State Team trophies.

Wisconsin’s Mark Harms was third and – together with teammate Cynthia Bannink who was fourth for women, took home the Fastest State Team honors, making BOUS history in the process. In prior years, the top teams have been separated by just 1 to 2 seconds; Team Wisconsin’s margin was 1:56 over 2nd place Team Arizona. Team Virginia followed in third place, with Team Ohio 4th and Team Minnesota taking 5th.

The women’s race takes the honors for high drama, though, with just 10 seconds separating the top three. Phoenix' 22-year-old Katie Ellis was favored going into the race, but it was no gimme, as she had to run down several women, including then-leader Cathy Yndestad of Minnesota, for the victory. Meanwhile, Massachusetts' Kim Webster, well back starting the final leg, ran a blistering 35:39 to climb into second. Ellis' final time was 2:09:23; Webster came in at 2:09:31; Yndestad at 2:09:33.

A link to complete results will be available on Sunday, Oct. 7

View live streaming reports: http://yndecam.com/Archive/Archive2007/BOUSLive.html


Partial results:


WOMEN
1. Katie Ellis, Arizona 2:09:23
2. Kim Webster, Massachusetts 2:09:31
3. Cathy Yndestad, Minnesota 2:09:33
4. Cindi Bannink, Wisconsin 2:12:00
5. Amanda Pagon, Virginia 2:13:07
6. Heather Leiggi, Pennsylvania 2:15:07
7. Jennifer Harrison, Illinois 2:15:40
8. Lori Deschamps, Alaska 2:15:52
9. Stacey Richardson, North Carolina 2:16:17
10. Andrea Myers, Ohio 2:16:34

MEN
1. Philippe Kozub, Maryland 1:56:54
2. Scott Myers, Ohio 1:57:46
3. Mark Harms, Wisconsin 1:59:33
4. Rob Webster, Jr., Washington 1:59:41
5. Craig Greenslit, Colorado 2:00:04
6. Kelly Williamson, Virginia 2:01:01
7. Eddie Branigan, Florida 2:01:39
8. Clay Moseley, New Mexico 2:02:29
9. Jonathan Krichev, Alabama 2:02:34
10. Patrick Baldwin, California 2:02:52

TOP 5 TEAMS
1. Team Wisconsin 4:11:34
2. Team Arizona 4:13:30
3. Team Virginia 4:14:08
4. Team Ohio 4:14:21
5. Team Minnesota 4:14:36



FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Trudy Marshall 651-235-8820 or 651-714-1829
trudy@midwestevents.com or Jerry MacNeil at jerry@midwestevents.com

The 3rd annual BEST OF THE US CHAMPIONSHIP will be contested on Saturday (Oct.6) at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. The men will start at 9:00 AM. The women will start at 9:05 AM. Race story and results will be available on this site Saturday afternoon. Exciting images of the event will be available on http://www.yndecam.com.

Who do you think will be crowned "Best of the US?"

Kim Webster, the women's amateur champion at the Duxbury Beach / Best of the US Massachusetts Qualifier, has accepted her invitation to race at the Best of the US Championship. "Kim was at the top of our Massachusetts "Wish List" and we couldn't be happier that she'll be racing at Cypress Gardens," says Jerry MacNeil, BOUS PR Director. "Because she doesn't race often outside of the northeast region, she may have the national reputation enjoyed by some of the others who will be competing, but make no mistake, Kim is definitely a podium contender."

Kim's Massachustts teammate will be Tim Crowley, 42. Crowley, coincidently is Kim's coach, and represented the Bay State at last year's BOUS Championship.

The final qualifying race of the 2007 BOUS season is the Duxbury Beach / Best of the US Massachusetts Triathlon on Saturday, September 22. Good luck Bay Staters!

Places 2nd through 4th at the 2007 Halfmax National Chamionship on September 15 in St. Louis, MO were taken by 2007 BOUS representatives JEREMY SIPOS (GA - 4:07:02), PHILIPPE KOZUB (MD-4:09:14) and CRAIG GREENSLIT (CO - 4:09:27). Kozub finished 2nd at last year's BOUS Champs; Greenslit was runner-up in 2005.

Women's prohibitive favorite to win the 2007 BOUS Championship, Florida's Lotte Branigan, recently broke her collarbone and will be unable to race on October 6. Branigan, the 2006 USAT Athete of the Year and runner-up for that award in 2005, has finished 2nd in each of the last two BOUS Championship. She'll be replaced by Key Biscayne's Angela Hygema, who also possesses impressive racing credentials.

"We're bummed," states Trudy Marshall, BOUS CEO. "We love Lotte and she has truly enhanced the Best of the US program with her stellar racing. We wish her a speedy recovery and know that Eddie and Angela will be great representatives for the state of Florida."

2007 Invitees:
(Accepted berths in capital letters)


FLORIDA: EDDIE BRANIGAN, Vero Beach & Lotte Branigan, 31, Vero Beach
Passdown #1: John Reback & ANGELA HYGEMA, 32, Key Biscayne
Passdown #2: Chris Huff & Krystal Bemman, 18
NEVADA: DANNY MURPHY, 42, Las Vegas & DANA GINSBURG, 42, Las Vegas
Passdown #1: Patrick Grosse & Reenie Griffin
Passdown #2: Phillip Glenn & Coleen Knutson
LOUISIANA: Lawson Fall, 27, Alexandria & Linzie Hebert, 24, Shreveport
Passdown #1: BEN HALL, 16, Ruston & Lisa Colvin, 41, Monroe
Passdown #2: Brian Coyne, 36, Ruston & Jennifer Sutton, 34, Shreveport
NORTH CAROLINA: SONNI DYER, 40, Valdese & STACEY RICHARDSON, 35, Chapel Hill
Passdown #1: Brian Smith, 36, Durham & Alicia Parr, 37, Durham
Passdown #2: Aaron Keifer, 27, Morrisville & Kristin Price, 26, Chapel Hill
SOUTH CAROLINA: MARK WOODY, 37, Chapin & JULIE MURPHY, 41, Greer
Passdown #1: Gregg Cromer, 38, Somerville & Tracy McKee, 35, Charleston
Passdown #2: Brian Hamby, 32, Greenville & Kimberley Westbury, 44, Greenville
MARYLAND / DC: PHILIPPE KOZUB, 32, Bethesda & KRISTA SCHULTZ, 29, Baltimore
Passdown #1: Dan MacKenzie, 25, Rockville & Elizabeth Flynn, 36, Ellicott City
Passdown #2: Tommy Brown, 22, Annapolis & Paula Pels, 40, Bethesda
KENTUCKY: BARRY KNIGHT, 41, Paducah & ALLISON POE, 26, Maysville
Passdown #1: Brian Collier, 33, Burlington & Laura Fogt, 29, Louisville
Passdown #2: Rodney Wesley, 39, Georgetown & Stephanie Darnell, 35, Paris
ARIZONA: CAM HILL, 40, Fountain Hills & KATIE ELLIS, 22, Phoenix
Passdown #1: Ryan Lindsay, 28, Glendale & Karen Walls, 37, Tucson
Passdown #2: Michael Hast, 37, Tucson & Erica McClurg, 37, Phoenix
IOWA: Mike Morrison, 33, Des Moines & Mia Richter, 25, Iowa City
Passdown #1: JASON MAURICE, 21, Iowa City & CHRIS MARAVELAS, 38, Waukee
Passdown #2: Doug Vander Weide, 41, West Des Moines & Jenny Jackson, 31, Cedar Rapids
NEX MEXICO: CLAY MOSELEY, 34, Los Alamos & DINA PESENSON, 31, Los Alamos
Passdown #1: Shaun Burns, 29, Las Lunas & Lorraine Palmer, 45, Santa Fe
Passdown #2: Mike Montoya, 38, Las Cruces & Jamie Proncho, 24, Albuquerque
KANSAS: Kevin Nickel, 26, Goessel & Ginny Lee, 41, Fort Riley
Passdown #1: Ross Freese, 44, Lawrence & KATIE BARNOSKIE, 20, Lawrence
Passdown #2: Matt Morrow, 40, Wichita & Kelly Dippold, 45, Overland Park
OKLAHOMA: DANIEL AGNEW, 20, Edmond & SHANNON CHASTEEN, 29, Moore
Passdown #1: Philip Van Kandingham, 31, Oklahoma City & Marlene Shugart, 42, Oklahoma City
Passdown #2: Joshua Baucom, 29, Oklahoma City & Kristin Killgore, 36, Bethany
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Ryan Kelly, 26, Concord & ELIZABETH HALL, 34, Merrimack
Passdown #1: SCOTT MAY, 38, Lyme Center & Danielle Keaney, 35, Seabrook
Passdown #2: Matt Boobar, 35, Plymouth
VERMONT: JON ARNE ENEVOLDSEN, 45, Waitsfield & Maria Cimonetti, 42, Shelburne
Passdown #1: & MARIANA LARA PLANAS
Passdown #2:
ALABAMA: JONATHAN KRICHEV, Huntsville & Deanna Frank, Birmingham
Passdown #1: Conrad Taylor, Birmingham & Lori Goldweber, Homewood
Passdown #2: Morgan Ramey, Helena & JANIE DAVIS, 44, Birmingham
DELAWARE: Jeff Boehmer, 20, Newark & ASHLEY MADRAY, 33, Wilmington
Passdown #1: Michael Hamberger, 28, Bear & Bridgette Loburk, 31, Wilmington
Passdown #2: Frank McGurk, 33, Newark
IDAHO: Adam Wirth, Boise & Margaret Hepworth. Boise
Passdown #1: ANTONIO GONZALES, 24, Boise & Lori Harvey, Boise
Passdown #2: Rolph Decker, Boise & Kathy Morell, Boise
Passdown #3: & TRISH DEIM, 27, Meridian
CONNECTICUT: CHRIS THOMAS, 35, Easton & Julie Gleising, 21, Redding
Passdown #1: Mitch West, 37, Wilton & Pascale Butcher, 46, Southport
Passdown #2: Rob McHardy, 33, West Hartford & Dana Carbone, 36, Watertown
MONTANA: Jeremy Oury, Hamilton & KRISTINA SMITH, Great Falls
Passdown #1: Robert Haseman, Helena & Nicole Luberda, Bozeman
Passdown #2: DEAN MCGOVERN, Missoula & Grace Hammond, Bozeman
WYOMING: JEFF WILCOX, Jackson & ANGIE CONCANNON, Jackson
Passdown #1: Ben Zeller, Lovell & Erica Periman, Moose
Passdown #2: Dick Weinbrandt, Jackson & Laura Santomauro, Jackson
SOUTH DAKOTA: SAM DANNENBRING, 19, Yankton & KIM FORDHAM-LIEN, 39, Aberdeen
Passdown #1: Jason Crisp, 27, Madison & Kathy Grady, 41, Sioux Falls
Passdown #2: David Farnsworth, 28, Chamberlain & Monica Porter, 40, Sioux Falls
UTAH: Greg Deyle, Salt Lake City & Colleen Rue, Cedar City
Passdown #1: RANDY OLSEN, St. George & RACHEL CIESLEWSKIi, Salt Lake City
Passdown #2: Devan Tandy, Provo & Chanda Jeppson, Cedar City
RHODE ISLAND: MATTHEW KNIGHT, 31, Newport
Passdown #1: Stephen Schonning, 44, Westerly
Passdown #2: Gregg Field, 43, East Greenwich
WISCONSIN: MARK HARMS, 31, Madison & CINDI BANNINK, 30, Middleton
Passdown: Michael Boehmer, 26, Oconomowoc & Srah Kolpin, 26, Madison
Passdown #2: Brian Herzog, 27, Madison & Heather Curnutt, 33, Madison
INDIANA: Nathan Truex, 22, Ossian & CHRIS WICKARD, 37, Crown Point
Passdown #1: Paul Richardson, 35, Auburn & Diane Schow, 43, Auburn
Passdown #2: Jesse Cleaver, 23, Bloomington & Katherine Semeritt, 30, Harlan
Passdown #3: JOHN LAPEHN, 50, Granger
TENNESSEE: ERIC BELL, 28, Nashville & KATHLEEN JOHNSTON, 48, Nashville
Passdown #1: Zach Winchester, Chattanooga & Leslie Trussler, Manchester
Passdown #2: Joseph Welsh, Cordova & Rachel Biber, Nashville
MISSOURI: Delbert Marriot, Charleston & Kristin Moore, St. Charles
Passdown #1: Jay Orr, St. Louis & Amber Mounday, St. Louis
Passdown #2: Ted Zderic, Columbia & AMY LIVESAY, Columbia
MINNESOTA: Brian Bich, 41, Duluth & CATHY YNDESTAD, 29, Apple Valley
Passdown #1: Curt Wood, 29, Chaska & Marlo Crosby-McGaver, 37, Duluth
Passdown #3: JEREMY SARTAIN, 33, St. Paul & Marta Lewinski, 34, Edina
TEXAS: ALBERTO LUGO, 35, El Paso & Shanna Armstrong, 32, Lubbock
Passdown #1: Jim Ryan, 44, Austin & Angie Balentine, 26, Austin
Passdown #2: Christopher Gausepohl, 25, Abilene & JENNIFER HIRSCH, 25, Lubbock
COLORADO: John Ryan, 25, Erie & Suzanne Snyder, 25, Colorado Springs
Passdown #1: Karol Kristov, 28, Boulder & MAIYA ANDERSON, 32, Monument
Passdown #2: Joe McDaniel, 25, Colorado Springs & Alicia Kendig, 25, Colorado Springs
Passdown #3: CRAIG GREESNSLIT, 39, Berthoud
ARKANSAS: GARY TAYLOR, 44, Little Rock & Anna Sanders, 25, Fayetteville
Passdown #1: Jasso Corra, 18, Fayetteville & Debra Dunn, 51, Fayetteville
Passdown #2: Mavoureen Hogue, 41, Rogers
CALIFORNIA: PATRICK BALDWIN & Beatrix Blattman
Passdown #1: David Meyers & Beatrix Blattmann
Passdown #2: Mitchell Hall & PAOLA PASQUALINI
WEST VIRGINIA: KENNETH LAVICTOIRE, 38, Bridgeport & Candy Hawks, Morgantown
Passdown #1: Jonathan Niemiec, Morgantown & LAURIE PEMBERTON, Morgantown
MICHIGAN: Joe Deighan, 36, Beverly Hills & Rebecca Walter, 23, Beverly Hills
Passdown #1: MATT WEST, 32, Ypsilanti & Kate Winklehaus, 25, Ann Arbor
Passdown #2: Tichard Swor, 24, Dearborn & Rebecca Kurtz, 21, Northville
PENNSYVANIA: John Brockenbrough, 49, Murrysville & HEATHER LEIGGI, 32, Bryn Mawr
Passdown #1: COLIN GUNDLING, 21, Murrysville & Beth Shutt, 28, Natrona Heights
Passdown #2: Dan Pierce, 29, Erie & Kimberly Schwabenbauer, 28, Baden
OHIO: SCOTT MYERS, 31, Wellston & ANDREA MYERS, 30, Wellston
Passdown #1: Alex Etchill, 27, Sandusky & Carrie Smith, 29, Zanesville
Passdown #2: Ryan Bates, 26, Copley & Andrea Frueh, 33
MISSISSIPPI: LARKIN CARTER, 45, Jackson & Alisha Wingerter, 29, Madison
Passdown #1: Clay Curtis, 33, Plantersville & Kelly White, 28, Starkville
Passdown #2: Chuck Rose, 35, Grenada & MARGOT HAIR, 27, Diamondhead
ILLINOIS: Brian Hague, 22, Chicago & JENNIFER HARRISON, 36, West Dundee
Passdown #1: Jerome Harrison, 34, West Dundee & Carolyn Atwood, 21, Rockford
Passdown #2: Andrew Mueller, 19, Champaign & Shevaun Pennell, 40, Peoria
WASHINGTON: ROB WEBSTER, JR., 17, Puyallup & TRACY ORCUTT, 40, Seattle
Passdown #1: Fred Mason, Pasco & Lynda Finegold
Passdown #2: & Sonnia Tonnemaker, Royal City
NEW JERSEY: Christopher Martin, 31, Lawrenceville & LOUISE NUNAN 40, Ocean
Passdown #1: Joshua Wall. 31, Beach Haven & Suzanne Hielster, 33, Riverton
Passdown #2: MATT ELLIS, 42, Bridgewater & Maijaleena Zucker, 31, Branchburg
OREGON: David Cloninger, Bend & Karen Oppenheimer, Bend
Passdown #1: John "JT" Lehman, Bend & Danika Williams, Eugene
Passdown #2: Hans Bielat, Bend & Jill Waskom, Bend
NEBRASKA: James Lundberg, 30, Omaha & DR. JENNIFER NEWELL, 37, Lincoln
Passdown #1: Nolen Hansen, 25, Lincoln & Jennifer Lundberg, 27, Omaha
Passdown #2: Michael Clinch, 25, Lincoln & Mercy Dinwiddie, 20, Lincoln
NEW YORK: Carl Johnston, 42, Ontario & Donna Wheeler, 37, Webster
Passdown #1: TODD SMITH, 32, Rochester & Heather Wolfe, 21, Honeoye Falls
Passdown #2: Steven Rosinski, 22, Rochester & Debbie Lovoili, 43, Victor
MAINE: TOMMY MCWALTERS, Thorndike & BRITT HULBERT, 37, Bar Harbor
Passdown #1: Stephen Judice. Dayton & Kate Goupee, Ellsworth
Passdown #2: Mark Brault, York & Denise Goode, Portland
ALASKA: Damian Hill, Anchorage & Shannon Donley, 37, Anchorage
Passdown #1: WILL ROSS, 18, Anchorage & LORI DESCHAMPS, Anchorage
Passdown #2: Fred West & Jenny Kimball
NORTH DAKOTA: Mark Knutson, 37, West Fargo & Marnie Walth, 38, Bismarck
Passdown #1: Justin Smith, 33, Fargo & Lisa Knudson, 45, Portland
Passdown #2: Adam Holscher, 28, Fargo & Jennifer Stark, 36, Fargo
VIRGINIA: KELLY WILLIAMSON, 37, Manassas & AMANDA PAGON, 32, South Riding
Passdown #1: Doug Marocco, 43, Montclair & Julie Gibbons, 38, Fairfax
Passdown #2: David Cascio, 30, Reston & Amy Adcock, 38, Alexandria
GEORGIA: JEREMY SIPOS, 33, Alpharetta & Michelle Shoup, 35, Buford
Passdown #1: Dennis Reardon, 35, Canton & Alexandra Lonergan, 31, Atlanta
Passdown #2: Kevin Patton, 36, Roswell & Kristel Maes, 31, Savannah
MASSACHUSETTS: Peter Abdinoor, 39, North Andover & KIM WEBSTER, 31, Framingham
Passdown #1: Chris Ramsey, 34, Acton & JHeather Westerman, 35, Bellingham
Passdown #2: Steven Bostic, 39, South Lawrence & Jessica Ackerman, 29, Canton
Passdown #3: TIM CROWLEY, 42, Marlboro

Amanda Pagon, a former US Junior of the Year (1995) who went on to enjoy a successful pro career, has accepted her invitation to represent Virginia at the Best of the US Championship. She'll be teamed with Kelly Williamson, who placed 7th at last year's championship. "Team Virginia may be the quad to beat this year," says BOUS PR Director Jerry MacNeil, adding, "though there's a long list of challengers for those podium slots. Look for Wisconsin, Maryland, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, North Carolina--among others--to be tough, too."

BOUS congratulates Katie Ellis and Lotte Branigan on their stallar performances at the ITU World Championships in Hamburg, Germany on September 2. Ellis, who will be representing Arizona at this year's BOUS Championship, finished 3rd overall/2nd 20-24 at Hamburg; Branigan, a 3-time Florida representative, placed 5th overall and won the women's 30-34 division. North Carolina's female representative, Stacey Richardson, earned the bronze medal in the 25-29 age group.

BOUS congratulates Jeremy Sipos and Michelle Shoup on the victories at the West Point Lake / Best of the US Georgia Qualifier on August 26! Shoup was listed as the women's champion, though 2nd placing Alexandra Lonergan turned in the same time (2:17:05).

Next up on the BOUS schedule is the West Point Lake / Best of the US Georgia Qualifier on Sunday, August 26. (Mableton, Georgia's David Silver won the 2006 Best of the US Championship!)

Kelly Williamson, who raced for Idaho at last year's BOUS Championship, where he finished 7th, has earned the right to represent his adopted Virginia at this year's grand finale. And he did so convincingly, winning the Luray International / Best of the US Virginia Qualifier by a margin of 5:45. He was joined in the winners circle by former US Junior of the Year and longtime pro Amanda Pagon.
"We're crossing our fingers," says Jerry MacNeil, BOUS PR coordinator. "If Williamson and Pagon accept their invitations, Virginia will be one of the favorites to win the Fastest State Team title at the October 6 Championship."

UPDATE: Kelly Williamson has accepted his invitation!

With 46 of the qualifiers already contested, races #47 & #48 are slated for Saturday, August 18: The Young Life Triathlon in Detroit Lakes, MN will determine North Dakota's representatives--the new Bismarck Olympic Triathlon will host the ND Qualifier in 2008!--and the Luray International Triathlon will determine Virginia's delegates. The final two qualifiers of the 2007 season will be the West Point Lake / GA Qualifier on August 26, and the Duxbury Beach Triathlon / MA Qualifier on September 22.

Foot surgery, sheduled for Wednesday, August 15, will prevent two-time Team Minnesota representative Brian Bich from racing at the 2007 Best of the US Championship in Florida on October 6. Bich, a two-time masters National Champion, placed 3rd at the 2005 BOUS Championship and 9th at last year's contest. It should be noted that Team Minnesota (5th in 2005, 3rd in 2006) will still be formidable as Bich's spot will now go to rising star Jeremy Sartain, the 2005 Minnesota Rookie of the Year. Sartain, who is also a professional cyclist, has won five triathlons thus far this season and will be teamed with Cathy Yndestad, who placed 6th at the 2007 BOUS Championship and is a definite podium contender this year.

2006 35-39 national Champion (silver medalist in 2007) and one half (with Jens Beck) of the Fastest State Team winners at last year's BOUS Champs, Shannon Donley, has once again won the Alaska State Triathlon Championships / Best of the US Alaska Qualifier. Joining her on the top step of the podium this year was rising star Damian Hill. "If Donley and Hill claim their slots, Alaska will send another dynamite team to the Championship!" exclaims Jerry MacNeil, BOUS PR Director.

The Alaska State Triathlon Championship / Best of the US Alaska Qualifier will be contested on Sunday, August 5. In 2006, Team Alaska, comprised of Jens Beck and Shannon Donley, won the Fastest State Team competition.

Next up on the BOUS Qualifying schedule are the Pine Tree Triathlon (Maine), the Nebraska State Games Triathlon & the Shoreline Triathlon (New York) on Sunday, July 29.

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Chistopher Martin, winner of the inaugural BOUS Champs and 3rd at last year's edition, has, once again, earned the right to represent New Jersey at the Best of the US Championship. He was joined in the winner's circle at the 2nd annual New Jersey State / BOUS NJ Qualifier on July 22 by prolific winner, Louise Nunan. "If Martin and Nunan accept their invitations, New Jersey will take a podium-worthy duet to Florida," says BOUS PR Director Jerry MacNeil.

Seattle's Tracy Orcutt, 3rd at the 2006 BOUS Championship, was the women's winner at the Chelanman Olympic / Best of the US Washington Qualifier on July 22. The fastest resident male was Rob Webster, Jr., of Tacoma.

NOUS Management congratulate Brian Hague and Jennifer Harrison for being the top Land of Lincoln finishers at the Evergreen Lake International / Best of the US Illinois Qualifier on July 21!

Larkin Carter, 45, of Jackson & Alisha Wingeter, 29, of Madison, were the top Mississippi finishers at the Heart O' Dixie / Best of the US Mississippi Qualifier on July 21. Weekend results from the qualifiers for IL, WA, GA, NJ and OR will follow!

With their victorious performances at Buckeye Lake International on July 15, Scott and Andrea Myers of Wellston, Ohio, have for the third straight year earned the right to represent their home state at the Best of the US Championship. The couple have always fared well at the Champs. Scott placed 6th in 2005 and 10th last year. Andrea was 15th two years ago and 12th last October. They finished 6th in the fastest State Team Competetion last year.

Also earning a third consecutive invitation is Pennsylvania's Heather Leggi, who won the Pittsburgh Triathlon / BOUS PA Qualifier on July 15. Heather placed 11th at the 2005 Championship and 9th last year.

The following outstanding triathletes earned BOUS invitations on July 15:

MICHIGAN: Joe Dieghan & Rebecca Walter
OHIO: Scott Myers & Andrea Myers
PENNSYLVANIA: John Brockenbrough & Heather Leiggi

The Michigan (Waterloo Triathlon), Ohio (Buckeye Lake International) and Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Triathlon) Qualifiers will be contested on Sunday, July 15. Stay tuned for results!

Six past or present female and male BOUS representatives cracked their gender's overall top 10 at the USAT Age Group National Championship in Portland, OR on June 30:

Men:

4. Christopher Martin (NJ)...Won 2005 BOUS National Champs; 3rd in 2006
5. Philippe Kozub (MD)....2nd at 2006 BOUS Champs; 2007 MD Representative
6. John Ryan (CO)....2007 CO Representative
7. Brian Bich, 41 (MN)....3rd at 2005 BOUS Champs, 9th at 2006 BOUS Champs, 2007 MN Representative
8. Mark Harms (WI)...5th at 2006 BOUS Champs; 2007 WI Representative
9. Craig Greenslit (CO)...2nd at 2005 BOUS Champs; 11th at 2006 BOUS Champs

Also:

15. Daniel Agnew (OK)...6th at 2006 BOUS Champs; 2007 OK Representative
21. Eric Bell (TN)...2007 TN Representative
24. Patrick Badwin (CA)...2007 CA Representative

Women:

2. Bree Wee (HI)...7th at 2005 BOUS Champs; declined HI slot in 2007
3. Stacey Richardson (NC)...2007 SC Representative
4. Tracy Orcutt, 41 (WA)...3rd at 2006 BOUS Champs
6. Katie Ellis (AZ)....2007 AZ Representative
8. Cindi Bannink (WI)...9th at 2005 BOUS Champs; 13th at 2006 BOUS Champs; 2007 WI Representative
9. Shannon Donley (AK)....7th at 2006 BOUS Champs

Also:

16. Suzanne Snyder (CO)...2007 CO Representative
32. Kristin Moore (NO)...2007 MO Representative

(Note: Men's and women's national champions, Ben Collins of Hawaii and Jennifer Garrison of Illinois, won their state's qualifiers in 2006 but declined their Championship invitations.)

Other BOUS Athletes that earned Team USA berths:

Linzie Hebert (LA-'07)
Daniel Agnew (OK-'06, '07)
Eric Bell (TN - '07)
Chris Ganter (PA- '05, '06)
Kristin Moore (MO - '07)
Chris Wickard (IN - '06, '07)
John Reback (FL - '05)
Eddie Branigan (FL - '07)
Maria Cimonetti (VT - '07)
Ginny Lee (KS - '06)
Bruce Gennari - '05, '06)
Margaret Hepworth (ID - '07)

To date, Chris Wickard of Crown Point, IN is one of 17 athletes with prior BOUS Championship experience who have earned the right to, and have accepted his/her invitation to, compete in this year's Championship on October 6. Wickard placed 11th at the 2006 BOUS Champs. Joining the "recidivist's" list on June 24 were Minnesota's Brian Bich and Cathy Yndestad.

One of the fastest rising amateur stars in triathlon, Eric Bell, 28, of Nashville, has won the McMinnville City / Best of the US Tennessee Qualifier. Bell kicked off the 2007 season with a victory at Powerman Alabama and later placed 3rd against a Who's Who field at St. Anthony's. UPDATE: Eric Bell has accepted his BOUS slot!

This Weekend's Invitees (June 23-24):

INDIANA - Nathan Truex & Chris Wickard (Qualifier: Mideast Sprint Optimist Triathlon)
TENNESSEE - Eric Bell & Kathleen Johnston (Qualifier: McMinnville City Triathlon)
MISSOURI - Delbert Marriot & Kristin Moore (Qualifier: Quartermax)
MINNESOTA - Brian Bich & Cathy Yndestad (Qualifier: Lake Waconia Triathlon)
TEXAS - Alberto Lugo & Shanna Armstrong (Qualifier: Tri Raider Sprint)
COLORADO - John Ryan & Suzanne Snyder (Qualifier: Prospect Lake Triathlon)
CALIFORNIA - Patrick Bladwin & Paola Pasqualini (Qualifier: San Diego International)
ARKANSAS - Gary Taylor, 44, Little Rock & Anna Sanders, 25, Fayetteville

Seven qualifiers were contested on June 16-17. Eight will be staged this weekend. They are: Mideast Sprint Optimists (IN). Who Tris Harder? (MO), McMinnville City (TN), Ozark Valley (AR), San Diego International (CA), Prospect lake (CO), Lake Waconia (MN) and Tri-Raider (TX). Stay tuned for news and results.

Cynthia Bannink has made it three in a row and brings last year's teammate Mark Harms back with her to represent Wisconsin at Best of the US. The two were once again dominant at the Wisconsin Triterium on June 17. Montana also returns its "Best" in the team of Jeremy Oury and Kristine Smith, who qualified at Janet Clarkson Memorial Triathlon.

South Dakota's Dakotaman Triathlon sends 19-year old Sam Dannenbring back for a return engagement at BOUS -- provided the Navy doesn't have other plans for him in October, that is. He's stationed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71. Bumping 41-year-old Kathy Grady from last year's 1st to this year's 2nd is the formidable Kim Fordham-Lien. The 39 year old is a former track runner and was a dominant force in midwestern racing until injuries bounced her out of contention in the last few years. New therapies have her back on the course and getting fit.

The Janet Clarkson Tri also serves as the Wyoming Qualifier, and sends Jeff Wilcox and Angela Concannon, both of Jackson, WY.

Results are still pending from the Pat Griskus Triathlon, which qualifies Connecticut and Rhode Island. News will be posted when available.

Seven Qualifiers will be contested on the weekend of June 16-17. They are: Connecticut, Montana, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming & Wisconsin!

BOUS congratulated and extends invitations to the following athletes, who earned the right to represent their respective states at the Best of the US Championship on October 6 in Winter Haven, FL:

ALABAMA (BUSTER BRITTON MEMORIAL): Jonathan Krichev (Huntsville) & Deanna Frank (Birmingham)
DELAWARE (ESCAPE FROM FORT DELAWARE): Jeffery Boehmer (Newark) & Ashlet Madray (Wilmington)

On June 3, Mike Morrison, 33, of Des Moines, became the 2nd athlete to date to have earned BOUS berths in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The other is Florida's Lotte Branigan, 2006 USAT Female Triathlete of the Year. Also earning an invitation at the Pigman Sprint / Best of the US Iowa Qualifier was Mia Richter of Iowa City. Richter has been the top Iowan the last three seasons at the BOUS Qualifier but has thus far been unable to accept her invitation. "Mia's a terrific triathlete. We certainly hope she'll be able to accept her slot this year," says Jerry MacNeil, BOUS PR Director.

As top New Mexicans at the Milkman / BOUS NM Qualifier on June 2, Clay Moseley and Dina Pesenson have earned the right to represent New Mexico at the BOUS Championship for the second consecutive year. UPDATE: Moseley & Pesenson have officially accepted their slots!

The season is still young, but BOUS athletes are making their mark around the country. Some notable performances:

• Idaho’s Kelly Williamson was 2nd overall male amateur and North Carolina’s Marit-Chrislock-Lauterback was 5th for amateur women at California 70.3 (March 31)

• A number of BOUS athletes posted great performances at St. Anthony’s Triathlon April 29, including:
1st Place and a CR 2:03:15 by 3X Florida BOUS rep Lotte Branigan
3rd Place finish for Bree Wee of Hawaii (BOUS rep in ’05 and ’07)
4th Place male finish for John Reback, Florida’s rep in 2005
8th Place male finish for 2007 Florida rep Eddie Branigan
9th Place female finish for Marit Chrislock-Lauterback of NC
12th Place Pro Male for Kevin Everett, who was Idaho’s BOUS rep in 2005

• NC’s Marit Chrislock-Lauterback won the amateur division and was 5th woman overall at Gulf Coast, while Tennessee’s Bruce Gennari was 4th overall and 1st Master. Gennari also took the Masters win and was 5th overall at Memphis In May.

• Cathy Yndestad, Minnesota’s 2006 BOUS rep was 2nd overall at Tri for the Cure in Scottsdale, AZ. That race was won by Katie Ellis, who has also taken 2nd at USAT Collegiate Nationals, and won the AZ BOUS slot for 2007.

• 2005 BOUS National Champion Christopher Martin of NJ was 2nd amateur at Columbia Tri May 20.

• Two-time Ohio representative Andrea Myers won the amateur race at Bradenton One O One on May 6

* Cathy Yndestad, Minnesota's 2006 BOUS rep, set a course record at the Pigman Sprint on June 3 then outraced the deepest field in the region the next weekend at Manitou Sprint.

* Hawaii's 2007 BOUS reps, Luis De La Torre and Bree Wee were the amateur champions at Hawaii 70.3 on June 2.

* 2006 Maryland rep Philippe Kozub and two-time Pennsylvania rep Heather Leiggi excelled at Eagleman 70.3 on June 10. Kozub was 2nd amateur in a blazing 3:59:51. Leiggi was 4th amateur female in 4:37:31. It was her first attempt at the 70.3 distance.

2007 Invitees to date:
(Accepted berths in capital letters)

HAWAII: Luis De La Torre, 39, Kailua-Kona Bree Wee, 28, Kailua-Kona
Passdown #1: Jimmy Davis & Sandra Ferriera
Passdown #2: Kurt Chambers & Mariane Uehara
FLORIDA: EDDIE BRANIGAN, Vero Beach & LOTTE BRANIGAN, Vero Beach
Passdown #1: John Reback & Angela Hygema
Passdown #2: Chris Huff & Krystal Bemman, 18
NEVADA: DANNY MURPHY, 42, Las Vegas & DANA GINSBURG, 42, Las Vegas
Passdown #1: Patrick Grosse & Reenie Griffin
Passdown #2: Phillip Glenn & Coleen Knutson
LOUISIANA: Lawson Fall, 27, Alexandria & LINZIE HEBERT, 24, Shreveport
Passdown #1: BEN HALL, 16, Ruston & Lisa Colvin, 41, Monroe
Passdown #2: Brian Coyne, 36, Ruston & Jennifer Sutton, 34, Shreveport
NORTH CAROLINA: SONNI DYER, 40, Valdese & STACEY RICHARDSON, 35, Chapel Hill
Passdown #1: Brian Smith, 36, Durham & Alicia Parr, 37, Durham
Passdown #2: Aaron Keifer, 27, Morrisville & Kristin Price, 26, Chapel Hill
SOUTH CAROLINA: MARK WOODY, 37, Chapin & JULIE MURPHY, 41, Greer
Passdown #1: Gregg Cromer, 38, Somerville & Tracy McKee, 35, Charleston
Passdown #2: Brian Hamby, 32, Greenville & Kimberley Westbury, 44, Greenville
MARYLAND / DC: PHILIPPE KOZUB, 32, Bethesda & KRISTA SCHULTZ, 29, Baltimore
Passdown #1: Dan MacKenzie, 25, Rockville & Elizabeth Flynn, 36, Ellicott City
Passdown #2: Tommy Brown, 22, Annapolis & Paula Pels, 40, Bethesda
KENTUCKY: BARRY KNIGHT, 41, Paducah & ALLISON POE, 26, Maysville
Passdown #1: Brian Collier, 33, Burlington & Laura Fogt, 29, Louisville
Passdown #2: Rodney Wesley, 39, Georgetown & Stephanie Darnell, 35, Paris
ARIZONA: CAM HILL, 40, Fountain Hills & KATIE ELLIS, 22, Phoenix
Passdown #1: Ryan Lindsay, 28, Glendale & Karen Walls, 37, Tucson
Passdown #2: Michael Hast, 37, Tucson & Erica McClurg, 37, Phoenix
IOWA: Mike Morrison, 33, Des Moines & Mia Richter, 25, Iowa City
Passdown #1: JASON MAURICE, 21, Iowa City & CHRIS MARAVELAS, 38, Waukee
Passdown #2: Doug Vander Weide, 41, West Des Moines & Jenny Jackson, 31, Cedar Rapids
NEX MEXICO: CLAY MOSELEY, 34, Los Alamos & DINA PESENSON, 31, Los Alamos
Passdown #1: Shaun Burns, 29, Las Lunas & Lorraine Palmer, 45, Santa Fe
Passdown #2: Mike Montoya, 38, Las Cruces & Jamie Proncho, 24, Albuquerque
KANSAS: Kevin Nickel, 26, Goessel & Ginny Lee, 41, Fort Riley
Passdown #1: Ross Freese, 44, Lawrence & KATIE BARNOSKIE, 20, Lawrence
Passdown #2: Matt Morrow, 40, Wichita & Kelly Dippold, 45, Overland Park
OKLAHOMA: Daniel Agnew, 20, Edmond & SHANNON CHASTEEN, 29, Moore
Passdown #1: Philip Van Kandingham, 31, Oklahoma City & Marlene Shugart, 42, Oklahoma City
Passdown #2: Joshua Baucom, 29, Oklahoma City & Kristin Killgore, 36, Bethany
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Ryan Kelly, 26, Concord & ELIZABETH HALL, 34, Merrimack
Passdown #1: Scott May, 38, Lyme Center & Danielle Keaney, 35, Seabrook
Passdown #2: Matt Boobar, 35, Plymouth
VERMONT: JON ARNE ENEVOLDSEN, 45, Waitsfield & MARIA CIMONETTI, 42, Shelburne
Passdown #1:
Passdown #2:
ALABAMA: JONATHAN KRICHEV, Huntsville & Deanna Frank, Birmingham
Passdown #1: Conrad Taylor, Birmingham & Lori Goldweber, Homewood
Passdown #2: Morgan Ramey, Helena & Janie Davis, Birmingham
DELAWARE: JEFF BOEHMER, 20, Newark & ASHLEY MADRAY, 33, Wilmington
Passdown #1: Michael Hamberger, 28, Bear & Bridgette Loburk, 31, Wilmington
Passdown #2: Frank McGursk, 33, Newark
IDAHO: Adam Wirth, Boise & Margaret Hepworth. Boise
Passdown #1: ANTONIO GONZALES, 24, Boise & Lori Harvey, Boise
Passdown #2: Rolph Decker, Boise & Kathy Morell, Boise
CONNECTICUT: CHRIS THOMAS, 35, Easton & Julie Gleising, 21, Redding
Passdown #1: Mitch West, 37, Wilton & Pascale Butcher, 46, Southport
Passdown #2: Rob McHardy, 33, West Hartford & Dana Carbone, 36, Watertown
MONTANA: Jeremy Oury, Hamilton & KRISTINA SMITH, Great Falls
Passdown #1: Robert Haseman, Helena & Nicole Luberda, Bozeman
Passdown #2: Dean McGovern, Missoula & Grace Hammond, Bozeman
WYOMING: JEFF WILCOX, Jackson & Angela Concannon, Jackson
Passdown #1: Ben Zeller, Lovell & Erica Periman, Moose
Passdown #2: Dick Weinbrandt, Jackson & Laura Santomauro, Jackson
SOUTH DAKOTA: SAM DANNENBRING, 19, Yankton & KIM FORDHAM-LIEN, 39, Aberdeen
Passdown #1: Jason Crisp, 27, Madison & Kathy Grady, 41, Sioux Falls
Passdown #2: David Farnsworth, 28, Chamberlain & Monica Porter, 40, Sioux Falls
UTAH: Greg Deyle, Salt Lake City & Colleen Rue, Cedar City
Passdown #1: Eandall Olsen, St. George & Rachel Cieslewski, Salt Lake City
Passdown #2: Devan Tandy, Provo & Chanda Jeppson, Cedar City
RHODE ISLAND: MATTHEW KNIGHT, 31, Newport
Passdown #1: Stephen Schonning, 44, Westerly
Passdown #2: Gregg Field, 43, East Greenwich
WISCONSIN: MARK HARMS, 31, Madison & CINDI BANNINK, 30, Middleton
Passdown: Michael Boehmer, 26, Oconomowoc & Srah Kolpin, 26, Madison
Passdown #2: Brian Herzog, 27, Madison & Heather Curnutt, 33, Madison
INDIANA: Nathan Truex, 22, Ossian & CHRIS WICKARD, 37, Crown Point
Passdown #1: Paul Richardson, 35, Auburn & Diane Schow, 43, Auburn
Passdown #1: Jesse Cleaver, 23, Bloomington & Katherine Semeritt, 30, Harlan
TENNESSEE: ERIC BELL, 28, Nashville & KATHLEEN JOHNSTON, 48, Nashville
Passdown #1: Zach Winchester, Chattanooga & Leslie Trussler, Manchester
Passdown #2: Joseph Welsh, Cordova & Rachel Biber, Nashville
MISSOURI: DELBERT MARRIOTT, Charleston & Kristin Moore
MINNESOTA: BRIAN BICH, 41, Duluth & CATHY YNDESTAD, 29, Apple Valley
Passdown #1: Curt Wood, 29, Chaska & Marlo Crosby-McGaver, 37, Duluth
Passdown #3: Jeremy Sartain, 33, St. Paul & Marta Lewinski, 34, Edina
TEXAS: Alberto Lugo, 35, El Paso & Shanna Armstrong, 32, Lubbock
Passdown #1: Jim Ryan, 44, Austin & Angie Balentine, 26, Austin
Passdown #2: Christopher Gausepohl, 25, Abilene & Jennifer Hirsch, 25, Lubbock
COLORADO: John Ryan, 25, Erie & Suzanne Snyder, 25, Colorado Springs
Passdown #1: Karol Kristov, 28, Boulder & Mauha Anderson, 32, Monument
Passdown #2: Joe McDaniel, 25, Colorado Springs & Alicia Kendig, 25, Colorado Springs
ARKANSAS: GARY TAYLOR, 44, Little Rock & Anna Sanders, 25, Fayetteville
Passdown #1: Jasso Corra, 18, Fayetteville & Debra Dunn, 51, Fayetteville
Passdown #2: Mavoureen Hogue, 41, Rogers
CALIFORNIA: PATRICK BALDWIN & Beatrix Blattman
Passdown #1: David Meyers & Beatrix Blattmann
Passsdown #2: Mitchell Hall & Paola Pasqualini

Arizona multisport pioneer Cam Hill, 40, of Fountain Hills, and talented newcomer Katie Ellis, 22, of Phoenix, have earned invitations to represent the Grand Canyon State at the Best of the US Championship on October 6 in Winter Haven, FL. "We're especially excited about Katie Ellis," says Jerry MacNeil, BOUS PR Director. "She beat the 2nd place woman at the Sahuarita Lake Qualifier by over four minutes. She could be the fastest rising new star on the US amateur tri scene!"

UPDATE: Cam Hill and Katie Ellis have accepted their invitations to represent Arizona!

Paducah's Barry Knight was dominant at the Buffalo Trails / Best of the US Kentucky Qualifier on May 26. His margin of victory was almost eight minutes. This is the second consecutive BOUS invitation for Knight, who finished 13th at the 2006 Championship. The women's champ at Buffalo Trails was Alison Poe of Maysville. This is Poe's first BOUS invitation.

Update: Barry Knight has officially accepted his invitation!

The Buffalo Trails KY Qualifier is slated for Saturday, May 26. The Sahuarita Lake AZ Qualifier willbe contested on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28. Stay tuned for results!

As top resident amateur at the Columbia Triathlon / BOUS Maryland Qualifier in Ellicott City on May 20, Philippe Kozub was invited to represent his state at the BOUS Championships on October. Series management couldn't be more pleased to announce that Philippe has accepted his slot. Kozub finished 2nd at the 2006 Best of the US Championship. Top female MD finisher on May 20 was Krista Schultz, who represented Maryland last year. She finished an impressive 10th at the Championship. Schultz and Kozub placed 4th in the Fast State Team Competition.

UPDATE: Krista Schultz has accepted her invitation!

Top SC resident amateurs at the Clemson Sprint / BOUS SC Qualifier on May 12 were Mark Woody, 37 of Chapin, and Julie Murphy, 41, of Greer.

Stay tuned for results of the May 12 Clemson Triathlon / Best of the US SC Qualifier!

North Carolina's Sonni Dyer and Stacey Richardson have accepted their invitations to represent North Carolina at the Best of the US Championship in Florida on October 6. All but one of the 10 athletes invited to date have accepted their slots. Dyer joins Hawaii's Luis De La Torre, 1989 Amateur World Champion, Nevada's Danny Murphy, his state's most consistent elite performaner for almost two decades, and Eddie Branigan of Florida, who's coming off a great effort (8th Elite Amateur) at St. Anthony's. Richardson, who placed 4th overall at Nationals in 2006, joins Hawaii's Bree Wee, 7th at the 2005 BOUS Championship, 2006 USAT Athlete of the Year Lotte Branigan of Florida (2nd at the BOUS Champs in 2005 & 2006), Louisiana's Linzie Hebert, a young and fast rising star, and Dana Ginsburg of Nevada.

BOUS Management couldn't be more pleased with the outcome of the White Lake Sprint / BOUS NC Qualifier on May 6. National class stars Sonni Dyer and Stacey Richardson (Stacey placed 4th overall at Nationals last year!) won the event, thus earning invitations to represent North Carolina at the Best of the US Championship in Winter Haven, FL on October 6. Excellent athletes also finished in the passdown positions. For the men, Brian Smith (2005 NC BOUS Representative) was 2nd, followed by the talented Aaron Keifer. For the women, Alice Parr and Kristin Price took 2nd and 3rd respectively. Any male/femalecombination of the abovementioned triathletes with give North Carolina a formidable presence in Florida.

BOUS Management congratulates Lawson Fall, 27, of Alexandria, and Linzie Hebert, 24, of Shreveport, for being the top resident amateurs at the Hidden Paradise Sprint / Best of the US Louisiana Qualifier in Ruston on April 29.

Three-time FL Representative Lotte Branigan, the reigning USAT Athlete of the Year, won the prestigious St. Anthony's Triathlon on April 29 in a course record 2:03:15. Two-time Hawaii Representative (2005 & 2007) Bree Wee placed 3rd in 2:05:06, which incidently is the 3rd fastest women's amateur time in the 24-year history of the event. Also cracking the women's top 10 was 2006 NC Representative Marit Chrislock-Lauterbach, who took 9th. In the men's Elite Amateur competition, 2005 Florida Representative John Reback placed 4th and 2007 Florida Rep Eddie Branigan took 8th.

The intermediate-distance Rage in the Sage Triathlon became a 40K bike / 10K run Duathlon Sunday (4/22) when forty-five mph winds swept across Lake Mead, generating 6’ swells and sending a dozen [extremely well-weighted] buoys off to the nether reaches of the man-made lake. “This is a huge body of water,” said Race Director Brogg Sterrett. “You can’t underestimate the effects of the wind. Even when it dies down a bit, there are vicious undercurrents.”

Interestingly, the race became the 2nd of 2 BOUS qualifiers this weekend forced to run as a Du; the other being thousands of miles away in Florida.

Emerging from the revised event as the Fastest Nevadans were Danny Murphy and Dana Ginsburg, both well-respected 42 years old triathletes. In the first-passdown position were Patrick Gosse (45) and Reenie Griffin (37), followed by Phillip Glenn (31), who represented Nevada at the 2006 Championship, and Coleen Knutson (39).

It’s all in the family as husband-wife team Eddie (age 34) and Lotte (33) Branigan were the fastest male and female Floridians at the Zephryhills St.Augustine/Best of the US Florida Qualifier on Saturday, April 21. Following for the men were John Reback, 36, who was Florida’s 2005 representative and placed 8th at the Championship and Chris Huff, 33. Angela Hygema, 31 and 18-year-old Krystal Bemman were 2nd and 3rd Florida females.

Unexpected high winds blew in on Friday and stuck around, stirring up 4-5’ surf and causing cancellation of the swim leg by County Park officials. [Also cancelled was a separate 1 mile ocean swim competition, part of the Publix Family Fitness Weekend activities.] Cancellation of the swim turned the Qualifier Race into a 2 mile run/13.5 mile bike/5K run Duathlon.

Reigning USAT Athlete of the Year, Lotte was heavily favored going in to the race. She’s now 3-for-3, having won the women’s BOUS slot for her home state since the inception of the program in ’05. She has performed spectacularly at both prior National Championships, placing 2nd each time, behind women who shortly thereafter became pros. With home course advantage this year, the rest the women’s field best watch out.

The Branigans are the second husband and wife team to qualify for the Championship, joining Scott and Andrea Myers of Ohio,who represented their state in 2005 and 2006.

The Florida Qualifier will be staged in St. Augustine on Saturday, April 21. The Nevade Qualifier will be contested on Sunday, April 22. Competing in the FL Qualifier is two-time BOUS representative--2nd at both the 2005 & 2005 Championships!--Lotte Branigan, who was named USAT Female Athlete of the Year in 2006. Other notables include former age group World Champion Ashley Carusone, Graham Steele, winner of last weekend's Escape From Fort DeSoto, and 2003 US Triathlete of the Year, John Reback. Reback represented Florida at the 2005 BOUS Champs & finished 8th overall. He and Lotte took home the Fastest State Team trophy that year.

Luis De La Torre and Bree Wee, both of Kailua-Kona, have accepted their invitations to represent Hawaii at the "Best of the US Championship" in Winter Haven, FL on October 6. Second place amateur male at Lavaman, De La Torre is replacing top amateur Ben Collins, who declined his invitation because he plans to get his pro license later this season. "With Collins and De La Torre going 1-2 at Lavaman, BOUS was in a no-lose situation," says PR Director Jerry MacNeil. "Few people recall that De La Torre is one of America's triathlon pioneers. In fact, he was the overall amateur winner at the inaugural ITU World Champioships in Avignon, France in 1989. He and Bree Wee, who is one othe best female amateurs in the U.S., will make a truly podium-worthy team."

Ben Collins, a nominee for US Amateur Triathlete of the Year in 2006, and Bree Wee, 7th at the BOUS Champs in 2005, were the amateur champions at the 10th annual Lavaman / BOUS Hawaii Qualifier on April 1. "We are so excited," said BOUS PR Director Jerry MacNeil." "If Collins and Wee accept their invitations, Hawaii will be one of the favorites to win the Fastest State Competition. Ben and Bree are world-class amateur triathletes!"

Lavaman 2007 (10th anniversary)

Fastest Amateur: BEN COLLINS, 24, Honolulu (2nd overall) ; BREE WEE, 28, Kailua-Kona (4th woman overall)
1st Passdown: Luis De La Torre, 39, Kailua-Kona (3rd overall); Sandra Ferreira, 38, Kaneohe (7th woman overall)
2nd Passdown: Jimmy Davis, 30, Honolulu (4th overall); Mariane Uehara, 26, Honolulu (9th woman overall)

The popular Lavaman Triathlon will kick off the competitive season on this year's BOUS tour. 2006 US Triathlete of the Year nominee Ben Collins, and Bree Wee, who was 7th at the inaugural BOUS Championship will be racing. Other April races include Florida's Zephyrhills Sprint Triathlon in St. Augustine on the 21st, Nevada's Rage in the Sage and Louisiana's Hidden Paradise Sprint on the 29th.

&Every few days we'll post a new quote from a 2006 BOUS athlete. Here's the latest installment:

"Dina and I want to say how fantastic this event was. You did an amazing job at making us feel special and that this was one of the greatest events in which we've ever participated. The entire time we were there, it was just plain fun. Minnesota is a unique place on the endurance sports map, and for good reason….BOUS….is just a great formula for an exciting outcome, and that is really what you had. We feel honored and happy that we were there and part of it." – Clay Moseley & Dina Pesenson (NM)

- BOUS congratulates Kelly Williamson on his 2nd place overall amateur finish at California 70.3 on March 31!
- BOUS congratulates Marit Chrislock-Lauterbach, NC representative in 2006, on her 5th place overall amateur finish at California 70.3 on March 31!
- BOUS Congratulates the follow BOUS athletes on their performances at St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg, FL on April 29: 3-time FL representative Lotte Branigan (1st in women's CR 2:03:15), 2005 & 2007 HI representative Bree Wee (3rd woman), 2005 FL representative John Reback (4th man), 2007 FL representative Eddie Branigan (8th man), 2006 NC representative Marit Chrislock-Lauterbach (9th woman), 2005 ID representative Kevin Everett (12th in men's pro race).
-BOUS congratulates Tennessee's Bruce Gennari, 4th at the 2005 & 2006 BOUS Champs, on his 4th place finish (1st master) at Gulf Coast. We also congratulate 2006 NC Represenative Marit Chrislock-Lauterbach on her amateur victory (5th woman overall) at Gulf Coast.

2007 Invitees:
HAWAII: LUIS DE LA TORRE 39, Kailua-Kona BREE WEE, 28, Kailua-Kona
Passdown #1: Jimmy Davis & Sandra Ferriera
Passdown #2: Kurt Chambers & Mariane Uehara
FLORIDA: EDDIE BRANIGAN, Vero Beach & LOTTE BRANIGAN, Vero Beach
Passdown #1: John Reback & Angela Hygema
Passdown #2: Chris Huff & Krystal Bemman, 18
NEVADA: DANNY MURPHY, 42, Las Vegas & DANA GINSBURG, 42, Las Vegas
Passdown #1: Patrick Grosse & Reenie Griffin
Passdown #2: Phillip Glenn & Coleen Knutson
LOUISIANA: Lawson Fall, 27, Alexandria & LINZIE HEBERT, 24, Shreveport
Passdown #1: Ben Hall, 16, Ruston & Lisa Colvin, 41, Monroe
Passdown #2: Brian Coyne, 36, Ruston & Jennifer Sutton, 34, Shreveport
NORTH CAROLINA: SONNI DYER, 40, Valdese & STACEY RICHARDSON, 35, Chapel Hill
Passdown #1: Brian Smith, 36, Durham & Alicia Parr, 37, Durham
Passdown #2: Aaron Keifer, 27, Morrisville & Kristin Price, 26, Chapel Hill
SOUTH CAROLINA: Mark Woody, 27, Chapin & Julie Murphy, 41, Greer
Passdown #1: Gregg Cromer, 38, Somerville & Tracy McKee, 35, Charleston
Passdown #2: Brian Hamby, 32, Greenville & Kimberley Westbury, 44, Greenville


(Accepted berths in capital letters)

(St. Paul, MN – 1/04/07) Best of the US Management and Exclusive Sports Marketing are partnering to produce the 2007 Best of the US Amateur National Championship at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, FL on October 6. The international distance “Championship for Champions” (50 men and 50 women who have earned invitations to compete by winning their respective state qualifiers) will headline “Championship Weekend” that will include the 21st annual Coca-Cola Classic Sprint Triathlon