Ryan Ignatz, Tamara Donelson Lead Strong Contingent from State
XTERRA Planet
September 24, 2011 (Snowbasin Resort, Utah) – A former and future professional were at the top of the standings of the amateur division of the XTERRA USA Championship at Snowbasin Resort, near Ogden, Utah.
Ryan Ignatz, a former top-10 finisher in the pro division of the USA Championship, took first place overall among the amateurs this year. He finished with a time of 2:37:26, which was topped only by 11 professionals.
Ignatz, who is 33 and resides in Boulder, Colo., was an XTERRA pro as recently as 2009, and placed sixth at the 2006 XTERRA USA Championship.
Ogden’s own Nick Fisher was the second amateur, finishing with a time of 2:38:15. Fisher, 25, may soon join the professional ranks.
The top amateur female was Tamara Donelson of Edwards, Colo. She finished with a time of 3:04:01. Donelson, 36, also won the women’s 35-39 age group for the second consecutive year.
Heather Lyman of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., placed second among the amateur females with a time of 3:05:06.
Several triathletes added to their list of titles from the USA Championship, including two women who have now won seven.
Barbara Peterson of Berkeley, Calif., won her seventh USA amateur title, and her first since 2006. She won the women’s 55-59 division for the first time. Her previous titles came in the 40-44, 45-49 and 50-54 age groups.
Cindi Toepel of Littleton, Colo., also won her seventh USA amateur championship, and fifth in a row. She placed first in the women’s 60-64 division with a time of 3:45:18, which was more than an hour ahead of the next finisher in that age group.
Beverly Enslow of Metamora, Ill., won her sixth consecutive USA amateur title – the longest active streak. She won the women’s 50-54 age group with a time of 3:27:52. Her first title came in 2006, when she was in the 45-49 age group.
Also of note, Steve Cole of Olive Branch, Miss., won his first XTERRA USA Championship. He placed first in the men’s 55-59 age division, one night after receiving the “Mr. XTERRA” award. Cole is a long-time XTERRA triathlete, and owns a record 11 regional championships.
The other triathletes who added to their list of USA Championships: Kerri Grosse (women 45-49), three titles; Jason Jablonski (men 35-39), two titles; Bruce Wacker (men 60-64), two titles; Nathaniel Grew (men 70-older), two titles; Willie Stewart (physically challenged), three titles.
First-time USA Championship winners were: Nielsen Powless (men 15-19), Mathieu Signoretty (men 20-24), Nick Fisher (men 25-29), Ryan Ignatz (men 30-34), Kevin Donovan (men 40-44), Rob Laurie (men 45-49), Brent Peacock (men 50-54), and Michael Orendorff for the men and Hannah Rae Finchamp (15-19), Laurel Peak (20-24), Margaret Peterson (25-29), Heather Lyman (30-34), and Gina Rau (40-44) for the women.
Amateur Men
| Division | Name | Time | Hometown |
| 15 – 19 | Nielsen Powless | 2:54:24 | Roseville, CA |
| 20 – 24 | Mathieu Signoretty | 2:48:49 | Sammamish, WA |
| 25 – 29 | Nick Fisher | 2:38:15 | Ogden, UT |
| 30 – 34 | Ryan Ignatz | 2:37:26 | Boulder, CO |
| 35 – 39 | Jason Jablonski (2) | 2:40:31 | Wenatchee, WA |
| 40 – 44 | Kevin Donovan | 2:49:39 | Boise, ID |
| 45 – 49 | Rob Laurie | 2:54:55 | Incline Village, NV |
| 50 – 54 | Brent Peacock | 3:00:07 | Jackson, WY |
| 55 – 59 | Steve Cole | 3:20:14 | Olive Branch, MS |
| 60 – 64 | Michael Orendorff | 3:21:03 | Pueblo, CO |
| 65 – 69 | Bruce Wacker | 3:37:46 | Colorado Springs, CO |
| 70+ | Nataniel Grew (2) | 6:05:58 | South Woodstock, VT |
| PC | Willie Stewart (3) | 3:18:17 | Boise, ID |
Amateur Women
| Division | Name | Time | Hometown |
| 15 – 19 | Hannah Rae Finchamp | 3:17:52 | Altadena, CA |
| 20 – 24 | Laurel Peak | 3:55:07 | Augusta, MI |
| 25 – 29 | Margaret Peterson | 3:20:31 | Wenatchee, WA |
| 30 – 34 | Heather Lyman | 3:05:06 | South Lake Tahoe, CA |
| 35 – 39 | Tamara Donelson (2) | 3:04:01 | Edwards, CO |
| 40 – 44 | Gina Rau | 3:13:45 | Sandy, UT |
| 45 – 49 | Keri Grosse (3) | 3:25:13 | Spokane, WA |
| 50 – 54 | Beverly Enslow (6) | 3:27:52 | Metamora, IL |
| 55 – 59 | Barbara Peterson (7) | 3:50:14 | Berkeley, CA |
| 60 – 64 | Cindi Toepel (7) | 3:45:53 | Littleton, CO |
