April 2015 Team Race Results

The 2015 race season is in full swing and the Team Wattie Ink athletes are already in amazing form. We would like to thank our amazing sponsors for all their support getting our athletes ready to ROCK THE W worldwide. Herbalife 24, Blueseventy, Powerbar, Diamondback, ISM, Speedfil, MarcPro, Reynolds, Rudy Project, Macau Urban Development and Design, Challenge Americas,  & Wildflower.

East Region Report – Caldwell Clarke (East Captain)

The East Coast has finally thawed out after a long, cold Winter and Wattie Ink. athletes are starting to find their groove.

A solid season opener was turned in by Team Director and OG, Robert “Flanny” Flanigan. Flanny went 2^nd OA at the Try Charleston Half in a time of 4:12. John Shilt also crushed the Try Charleston Half and went 4^th OA. Super swimmer, Blain Peerson, secured a 1^st AG (50-54) at the Lifetime Fitness South Beach Triathlon. Evan Hill has been solid in the Tar Heel state. Evan went 6^th OA, 1^st AG (35-39) in his season opener at the Beaverdam Olympic Triathlon (NC) and then 4:38 at the White Lake Half, good enough for 8^th OA.

Diane Jackson, traveled to the West Coast and locked up a 5^th AG at the Bend (OR) Half Marathon.

Newcomers have also represented the team well. Oriana Bafunno opened her season with a strong, 5^th OA Female at the Lifetime Fitness South Beach Triathlon. Allison Reed, nursing a hamstring injury, rocked a 1^st OA Aqua Bike at the Belews OLY.  Joe Klinedinst ran a sub 3-hour Boston Marathon (2:53).

The best early season performance from an East Coaster was from Erica and Roger Thrall, who welcomed a baby boy into the world in early April. Congrats, guys!

Central Region Report – Damie Roberts (Central Captain)

In her first year and race as a pro, Dani Fischer, 2014 USAT Duathlete of the Year, led the Central Region at New Orleans 70.3 with a 7th place finish in a tough field.  Claudia Spooner led the age group athletes with an AG win/4th OA Female Amateur, followed by solid results from Kinsey Snell, Amanda Lane, and Damie Roberts.   

Emily Kratz pulled out a win in the 35-39 F division as well as 2ndOA Female amateur, narrowly missing the 1st place spot by seconds, at the Florida 70.3.  Other Watties with strong showings were Colleen Lundrigan and Neal Nyland. 

Doug Havlin stepped out of the states to race the tough course at IM South Africa. 

Matt Barkus put in a solid April half marathon time with a 1:18, good enough for 8th OA at the South Shore Half Marathon. 

The most important result in the Central Region was posted by Mary Lakey with the arrival of Baby Boy Landon ROBERT Lakey, at 8lbs and 10oz.  Congratulations Mary!!!!

West Region Report – Karin Langer (West Captain)

Wattie Ink. teammates in the Western Region have enjoyed competing at several high-profile North American races between March and May. Aside from racking up individual successes, these early-season races served as a cathartic release for triathletes itching to be the first among their friends to race in 2015.

Conditions at The Desert Triathlon, in Palm Desert, California (February 28-March 1) were less-than-Cali-ideal, with a haboob blowing through the desert during the sprint on Saturday, and rainstorms pelting the international-distance competition on Sunday. Nevertheless, all Wattie Ink. athletes landed on the podium in their respective contests:

Gerry Forman, winner M75-79, sprint distance

Adam Harita 3^rd, M40-44*

Dan Egoroff 2^nd, M45-49

Dusty Nabor winner, M35-39

Karin Langer winner, F35-39

Triathletes coast-to-coast anticipate the unofficial North American Ironman season opener at Ironman 70.3 California, Oceanside (March 28). While our favorite pros put on a show for the masses, the Wattie amateur team fought hard to earn third place in the much-coveted 2015 Ironman Triclub Program, Division III contest.

Amateurs

Tu Tran 54^th M30-34

Karin Langer 2^nd F35-39

Michael Ferree 13^th M 35-39

Laura Sand 7^th F40-44

Dusty Nabor 7^th M40-44

Adam Harita 23^rd M 40-44

Ryan Schneider 29^th M40-44

Derek Liou 57^th M40-44



In Dirty Tri News - Offroad Tri - (Shelby Katz Off Road Captain)

At the brutal Xterra Vegas course in April, Off Road Bad Ass Tom Monica once again secured his slot in the World Championships with a solid AG 2nd Place. Congrats Tom

Great job to everyone.

Don't forget to check out the sick gear available at www.WattieInk.com