Locals post impressive times despite rain delay, injury
Nearly 2,000 competitors took to the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon in southern Wisconsin on Sunday, August 19. The events included an International and Sprint Distance triathlon and a duathlon. Several triathletes with Illinois roots, including Jason Glowney, Lauren Jensen, and Chris Wiatr, posted impressive performances despite a delayed race and drizzly conditions.

The International race included a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike, and a 10K run around Lake Andrea, with a first place prize purse of $500. Chicago's Jason Glowney, 37, captured third overall in 2:00:26.

Glowney made up for his weaker swim (23:36, 58th), with a stellar bike time (59:05, eighth overall) and run (35:33, fourth overall). Glowney says he's only been swimming at this level for a year-and-a-half. "Usually the swim is the worst, but as long as I'm within striking distance I usually have a good race."

Blake Becker, 26, Madison, Wisconsin, took first overall in 1:54:44. Becker's top three finishes in his swim and run sealed the win. Michael Boehmer, 28, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, placed second at 1:59:35.

In the female competition Lauren Jensen, 40, of New Berlin, Wisconsin placed first with an overall time of 2:09:52 (12th overall). Jensen propelled to victory with a 20:20 swim (seventh overall) and 1:04:26 bike (18th overall).

Jensen overcame a weak run today (56th)--she suffered a running injury earlier this year--but the top finisher did not let the run portion affect her performance.

"My pace has been getting better and better every week," said Jensen. "I've been slowly coming back (with the run event)." Jensen lives in Wisconsin but attended Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where she says she gained interest this sport.

Cindi Bannik, 30, Middleton, Wisconsin, took second at 2:12:48. Although Bannik's swim was excellent (19:36, fourth), her run (41:56, 42nd) hurt her overall time. Tracy Kellner, 37, Mequon, Wisconsin, came in third at 2:17:27. The bike was her Achilles' Heel (1:11:16, 86th).

The sprint distance field worked their way through a .75Kswim, a 20K bike and a 5K run around the lake.

Stacey Kiefer, 29, of Antioch, Illinois, received second at 1:05:49, just eight seconds off of first (sixth in the entire field).

Kiefer, who teaches collegiate swimming, finished in the water at 10:09 (sixth overall). The wet weather was a reason she lost time on her bike at 33:00 (28th), she said. "Bike is always scary when it's wet," said Kiefer. "I had to be a little conservative. I was able to save some energy and push on the run (20:36, 18th)."

Jodie Meier, 31, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, held off Kiefer to secure a win in her own town. Her first place finish at 1:05:37 was bolstered by her run time (18:33, fifth overall).

Cheryl Roberts, 43, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, grabbed third at 1:08:59.

Terry Harth, 39, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, took first place easily in the men's sprint in 1:01:26. Harth's time-two minutes ahead of second-was secured by his 17:57 5K run and 30:40 bike.

Steve Brandes, 21, of Racine, Wisconsin, finished second in 1:03:36.

Chris Wiatr (meaning "the wind" in Polish), 16, from Long Grove, Illinois finished third in 1:04:44. Wiatr breezed to the top three partially because of his swim leg (9:46, third). "I'm on a team so I do train a lot," he said. Wiatr also excelled on his run, finishing the 5K in 18:38.

Top 10 Finishers
Male results - international distance

1. Blake Becker, 26, 1:54:44
2. Michael Boehmer, 28, 1:59:35
3. John Glowney, 37, 2:00:26
4. Steve Johnson, 31, 2:01:06
5. Chris Wichert, 23, 2:01:49
6. Scott Bowe, 28, 2:02:55
7. Mike Gotzler, 36, 2:05:22
8. Dean Hewson, 38, 2:06:26
9. Michael Stec, 41, 2:07:26
10. Eligio Pimentel, 41, 2:07:46

Female results - international distance
1. Lauren Jensen, 40, 2:09:52
2. Cindi Bannink, 30, 2:12:48
3. Tracy Kellner, 37, 2:17:27
4. Sarah Grunner, 35, 2:17:54
5. Kim Dunker, 24, 2:20:10
6. Stephanie Crokker, 31, 2:22:02
7. Karla Bock, 37, 2:23:09
8. Anne Wilson, 31, 2:24:42
9. Julie Wankowski, 37, 2:25:02
10. Meredith Beers, 33, 2:25:53

Male results - sprint distance
1. Terry Harth, 39, 1:01:26
2. Steve Brandes, 21, 1:03:36
3. Chris Wiatr, 16, 1:04:44
4. Glen Rinwall, 43, 1:04:58
5. Thom Schmidt, 44, 1:05:54
6. Adam Meier, 30, 1:06:05
7. Ivan Ireland, 40, 1:07:09
8. Matt Plummer, 24, 1:07:12
9. Kent Pearson, 52, 1:07:25
10. Daniel Lee, 38, 1:07:57

Female results - sprint distance
1. Jodie Meier, 31, 1:05:37
2. Stacey Kiefer, 29, 1:05:49
3. Cheryl Roberts, 43, 1:08:59
4. Gabriela Baranova, 28, 1:10:20
5. Victoria Alia, 37, 1:10:33
6. Gina Villani, 16, 1:10:42
7. Ashley Jensen, 22, 1:10:59
8. Mary Ann Butzke, 45, 1:11:48
9. Kara Pellaton, 44, 1:12:10
10. Rebecca Thomas, 31, 1:12:27

Click here for complete results