One last splash for area triathletes
Kent Luetzen
Competitor Amanda Hunter rides her bike in Saturday’s triathlon.
Kent Luetzen
Matthew Friz finishes his leg of the triathlon and stats that he found swimming in the current of Flathead River a lot harder than swimming in a pool.
Kent Luetzen
Female participants in Saturday’s Triathlon Race prepare for the 1.5 mile open water swim.
Kent Luetzen
Female participants in Saturday’s Triathlon Race prepare for the 1.5 mile open water swim.
Kent Luetzen
Kent Luetzen
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POLSON – Training in the clear water of a pool as a competitive high school lap swimmer is where 16-year-old Missoula native Matthew Fritz spends most of his time and energy, but during the Fifth Annual Polson Triathlon, he swam 1.5km in the open water.
“It was a lot different than a pool and it was a little creepy, to be honest,” Fritz said. “I could only see my hands, and swimming in a body of water with a current is a lot harder.”
The triathlon took place at Riverside Park on Saturday, Aug 20, where Fritz competed in the swimming portion under the team category. Teammate Nathan Haines took on the 40 km biking leg of the race and third member of the team, Jody Haines attacked the 10 km running stretch.
“We asked Matthew to be on our team because we knew he is a talented swimmer,” Jody said. “Being part of a team is exciting and it gives everyone an opportunity to showcase their skill set.”
Fritz was the first swimmer under the team category to finish his segment of the trifecta. He passed the torch onto Nathan Haines and then stopped to catch his breath.
“I told myself to ‘just keep swimming,’” Fritz said. “I was in pain almost the entire time because it is our offseason, but I think I got a good lead for my team.”
Jody Haines was the last leg for her team and was excited with Fritz’s finish. “Now I just have to do my part to finish well,” Jody said. “I am not doing the whole triathlon like I have before so I can run a little faster since I’ll have more energy.”
Their team finished in the team category with a time just under three hours.
Other athletes like, visiting out-of-towner Dennis Richards, took full advantage of the recreational opportunities while on vacation.
“I haven’t run a triathlon in fifteen years,” Richards said. “It is gorgeous here. This triathlon has a good reputation and the money is going towards a good cause.”
The money will be going towards youth programs at the Mission Valley Aquatic Center said Shauna Rubel, manager of Polson Glacier Bank.
“This is a great event for community members,” Rubel said. “Glacier Bank is one of the sponsors of the triathlon and we love seeing all the local people compete.”
Other premiere sponsors included: Polson Family Eyecare, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Luke Community Healthcare, and Jarecki Foundation.
Results:
Overall Male Top Five – 1. Derek Garcia, Coeur D’alene, 2:05:13.65 2. Daniel Dean Mazza, Missoula, 2:13:39.44 3. Chuck Dumke, Missoula, 2:14:11.74 4. Ed Eberhardy, East Glacier Park, 2:14:18.15 5. Jesse Carnes, Missoula, 2:18:58.21
Overall Female Top Five – 1. Amanda Hunter, Billings, 2:19:07.06 2. Molly Roohi, King George, 2:23:07.24 3. Jenni Brown, Polson, 2:30:43.32 4. Erin Lyons, Bozeman, 2:32:42.17 5. Renee Swinson, Bozeman, 2:33:40.42
Overall Team Top Five – 1. Team Shipdauer, 2:11:05.08 2. Team Marshall Law, 2:33:48.83 3. Team Darkhorse, 2:48:34.17 4. Team Polson Family, 2:51:37.96 5. Team Providence, 2:56:39.09
