Bike ride key for Firecracker champs

By NATHAN KAHNE - H-P Sports Writer
Published: Monday, July 6, 2009 1:09 PM EDT

BENTON HARBOR - Biking is an activity almost everybody knows and never forgets, but Brad Hilton and Keri Pawielski took it to the next level on Sunday morning to win the fourth annual Firecracker Triathlon sponsored by Cycle and Fitness.

Hilton, 36, of Holland moved into first about halfway through the 11-mile bike and never looked back, claiming the men's title in 57:54, more than a minute ahead of runner-up Brian Schoenholz.

"I wasn't expecting first that's for sure," said Hilton. "I was kind of hoping for top 20, because I hadn't had a good race all year. I'm pretty happy with the results, there is a lot of fast-looking guys here."

Pawielski, 32, of St. Joseph blew away the women's field, finishing more than two minutes ahead of a pair of Illinois residents with a time of 1:04.43.

"(After the swim) I was not in good shape," said Pawielski, who placed third in last year's event. "The bike is my strongest and that's when I took the lead for good."

Lake Michigan's water might have been a little cool, but the placid surface was ideal for the quarter-mile swim. Triathletes were started in three waves, or groups, based on age and gender.

First out of the water was William Vann, who completed the swim in 5:14 and finished ninth overall.

Hilton was not one of the first 10 out of the water and his split time ranked him 17th, but he made up the time rather quickly with an average speed of 25 MPH on the bike.

"I passed around 10 guys, at least, on the bike and got a bit of lead going into the run," said Hilton, whose bike time of 31:01 ranked first. "I thought the guys were going to catch me, because the run isn't my strongest, but I held it ."

Hilton's run time of 18:20 was only 12 seconds slower than the fastest split time, leaving little opportunity for anyone to catch him.

Pawielski also earned the top split time for the bike and was one of three women to complete the run in under 21 minutes. Her swim split ranked 12th.

Former St. Joseph High School standout athlete and Western Michigan wide receiver Micah Zuhl placed third overall behind a balanced performance, which saw him rank in the top 10 for each event.

Fans and supporters were able to catch most of the action as the start, finish, and transition area were all within a couple hundred yards of each other.

After reaching shore from the swim, the triathletes ran up the beach about 100 yards to the transition area and hopped on their bikes. The bike route took peddlers north on M-63, initially, and returned to the same transition area.

The last portion of the three-mile run took runners past the transition area where hundreds of fans congregated to cheer them to the finish.

Firecracker Triathlon

Top 3 finishers per age category

Men

Overall - Brad Hilton 57:54, Brian Schoenholz 59:04, Micah Zuhl 59:32.

19 and under - Gordon Davis 1:05:05, Nick Jantz 1:07:42, Ryan Hartwell 1:09:48.

20-24 - Bartosz Gralcyzk 1:00:42, William Vann 1:01:42, Charles Cunnick 1:02:36.

25-29 - Ken Larscheid 1:03:41, Dan Turney1:05:20, Adam Grunert 1:06:43.

30-34 - Scott Mickalik 1:04:11, Joshua Carpenter 1:04:43, Christopher Moffat 1:05:47.

35-39 - Doug Corcoran 1:02:55, Mike McClaran1:04:59, Scott Moody 1:05:13.

40-44 - John Hearne 1:00:18, Alain Villeneuve 1:00:24, Jeff Borah 1:00:52.

45-49 - Glen Kellam 1:00:18, Jim Pickford 1:03:53, Kip Miller 1:04:41.

50-54 - Bruce Borawski 1:07:18, Tim Farrow 1:08:17, Dean Warstler 1:09:33.

55-59 - Wayne Stefanich 1:09:24, Dirk French 1:10:01, Emmanel Millet 1:13:22.

60-64 - Terry Hutchins 1:09:06, Kenneth Geljack 1:11:40, Kenneth Austin 1:17:40

65-69 - Fred Hemsath 1:12:46.

70 and over - Frank French 1:41:28.

Women

Overall - Keri Pawielski 1:04:43, Elisa Lee 1:06:57, Michelle Mehnert 1:07:00.

19 and under - Alexandra Foster 1:24:08, Amy Napleton 1:30:55.

20-24 - Brigid Webb 1:13:26, Lauren McKinley 1:17:47, Cortney Middleton 1:20:15.

25-29 - Betsy Shafer 1:14:11, Amber Baker 1:15:39, Kelly McWilliams 1:17:02.

30-34 - Andrea Hutchins 1:07:03, Jamie Beal 1:10:00, Heidi Schmid 1:10:19.

35-39 - Angie Koch 1:12:10, Jennie Aungst 1:19:11, Kim Solvik 1:20:31.

40-44 - Alison Yacobozzi 1:08:17, Kasi Hornback 1:16:28, Mary Hughes 1:20:34.

45-49 - Tammy Shuler 1:07:53, Christine Vincent 1:11:05, Shirlee Finch 1:14:06.

50-54 - Anita Kaylor 1:15:55, Mary Beth Mohan 1:19:41, Kathy Farrow 1:22:47.

55-59 - Ann Vestle 1:20:46, Jan Even 1:42:59, Dee Even-Cermak 1:42:59.

60-64 - Betty O'Leary 1:55:44.

65-69 - Cindy Bonga 1:53:57.