Former U-M swimmer Potts wins Steelhead Triathlon; Warriner celebrates birthday with female title

By DARREN PHILLIPS - H-P Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, August 2, 2009 1:09 PM EDT

BENTON HARBOR - Andy Potts won one for his grandmother, and Samantha Warriner got a great birthday present in Saturday's Whirlpool Ironman 70.3 Steelhead Triathlon.

Potts, a former University of Michigan swimmer from Colorado Springs, Colo., and Warriner, of New Zealand, were the winners in Saturday's race operating out of Jean Klock Park.

Potts won the men's race in 3:54:38, beating runner-up Andrew Starykowicz by just over two minutes.

Potts dedicated the race to his grandmother, Halsey Potts, who died on Thursday.

"She was a great woman," Potts said. "I wrote her name on my shoes. I wasn't going to settle for anything less than a victory for her. Anytime I got tired out there I thought of her, and it put everything in perspective."

The event was a bit of a homecoming for Potts, who was an All-American at Michigan.

"It was my first time racing in the state of Michigan," Potts said. "I keep seeing the maize and blue and the block M around, and I get a feeling of pride when I see it."

The event qualified 50 athletes for the Ironman 70.3 world championship, to be held in November in Clearwater, Fla. It was the first time the Steelhead had a prize purse for professional entrants, leading to a sizeable field of professionals among the more than 2,000 entrants.

Potts, a former Ironman 70.3 world champion, had to make up a large gap against Andrew Starykowicz in the run, the final portion of the race. Starykowicz passed Potts during the 56-mile bike ride.

"I rode well through about 35 miles," Potts said. "Then Andrew came up on me and really put the hammer down. I heard I was a minute and 45 down and I was willing to take that, and then I heard 5:50 and I thought, 'oh, boy.'"

Potts finished the 13.1 mile run in 1:16:14, more than eight minutes faster than Starykowicz.

"In the run I wanted to make up ground as quickly as possible, so I could settle in and set my pace," Potts said. "I think it took until between mile 8 and 9 to pass him."

Warriner, of New Zealand, won the women's race in 4:17:57, topping runner-up Leanda Cave by more than seven minutes.

Warriner claimed the lead early in the bicycling portion of the event and built a commanding advantage. She began that portion about a minute behind Cave, who finished the 1.2-mile swim in Lake Michigan in 24:22.

"About five miles into the bike I led," Warriner said. "Then I was fine. I tried to get the biggest gap possible. The bike is my strongest leg, but I found it tough out there. The wind was so strong."

Warriner's victory came on her 38th birthday and six weeks after suffering a rib injury.

"I've been training in L.A., but due to the rib injury I had to go home to New Zealand to get treatment," Warriner said. "Then I flew back here. Today's my birthday, and all I wanted to do was race on my birthday."

Saturday's race was the seventh Steelhead Triathlon at Jean Klock Park, and drew a positive response.

"The course was brilliant," Warriner said. "Everyone is so friendly. It's just awesome."

The top male amateur finisher was Tim Surface of Raleigh, N.C., who finished in 4:12:00, 11th overall after 10 professional triathletes.

The first female amateur to finish was Kristin Moore of St. Charles, Mo., in 4:48:02. She was the 15th woman overall after 14 professional triathletes.

The first male area finisher was Sebastian Binnemann of Niles. He finished in 4:25:53 and was the 11th-place amateur male competitor.

The first female area finisher was Keri Pawielski of St. Joseph. She finished in 5:09:39 and was the 27th amateur female finisher.

For complete results, go online to www.steelheadtriathlon.com

Top 15 finishers

Men
1. Andy Potts 3:54:38, 2. Andrew Starykowicz 3:56:44, 3. Kieran Doe 3:59:31, 4. Greg Remaly 4:00.04, 5. Sean Bechtel 4:03:46, 6. Nick Waninger 4:04:38, 7. Daniel Bretscher 4:06:36, 8. Tony White 4:08:44, 9. Lucas Pretto 4:09:53, 10. Jimmy Archer 4:11:24, 11. Tim Surface 4:12:00, 12. Karl Bordine 4:13:45, 13. Henry Beck 4:17:39, 14. Gregory Kopecky 4:18:40, 15. Gavin Anderson 4:18:41.

Women
1. Samantha Warriner 4:17:57, 2. Leanda Cave 4:25:12, 3. Nina Kraft 4:26:22, 4. Kelly Williamson 4:27:10, 5. Amanda Lovato 4:27:57, 6. Amy Kloner 4:31:56, 7. Katya Meyers 4:33:44, 8. Mariska Kramer-Postma 4:35:55, 9. Jennifer Garrison 4:38:01, 10. Emily Cocks 4:38:38, 11. Nicole Guembel 4:38?53, 12. Terra Castro 4:41:24, 13. Erin O'Hara 4:42:20, 14. Ana Lidia Borba 4:47:58, 15. Kristin Moore 4:48:02.