To all Mideast Clubs,
Well the long awaited news on the MERCRS season is now here. I can officially
release the standings and where everyone finished. Wow, it was a battle all the way
to the end this year. We/I had a few speed bumps along the way but overall a
pretty competitive race series this year with many clubs making a serious run
on the Championship and going right at the defending champions this year. Seemed like
the most serious clubs that wanted to win, stayed at the top all season long.
Those clubs were Tri Fort, Kalamazoo, Team Toledo, Chicago, F.A.S.T. and with
Purdue, Ann Arbor and Human Racers keeping the pressure on all of the clubs.
We had a recored turnout for the Mideast Region Championships this year and
even with the fog delay, still a great race. And we even got the Colts cheerleaders
back again. As I write this email, many many people are driving back from
Madison from the IRONMAN from a brutal tough hot day. The top two club presidents
raced yesterday and I am sure have alot of stories to share, so CONGRATULATIONS
to Kevin Biek from Kalamazoo and Tom Carpenter from Tri Fort. You two guys have
had the best competing clubs the last two years. You both should be commended
on doing a great job. Chicago, F.A.S.T, Purdue, Team Toledo and the rest of the MERCRS
clubs, all of you did great this year and I know and already hear the 2006 season
is going to be a hot one in deed for the the Championship. In the time being,
Kalamazoo Triathlon & Multisport is the 2005 MERCRS Champions.
FINAL MERCRS STANDINGS:
(top 4 regular events plus the Indy Championships)
For the 5th year in a row, we have a new MERCRS winner.
1 300 Kalamazoo Triathlon & Multisport
2 298 Tri Fort Triathletes
3 294 Team Toledo
4 293 Chicago Triathlon Club
5 292 F.A.S.T.
6 287 Purdue Triathlon Club
7 279 Ann Arbor Triathlon Club
8 277 Human Racers
9 277 Wright Triathlon Club
10 259 Richport YMCA
11 222 University of Kentucky TriCats
12 197 Triple Threat
13 191 TriMonster
14 183 LakeView YMCA
15 180 Kraft Foods Multisport
16 178 Oakland University Tri Club
178 Cincy Express
18 142 Tri Sharks
19 48 Ohio University Tri Club
20 46 Raiders Tri Club
MERCRS standings are posted on the web..... www.usatmideast.com
Past MERCRS winners:
2005 Kalamazoo Triathlon & Multisport
2004 Tri-Fort Triathletes
2003 Ann Arbor Triathlon Club
2002 Chicago Triathlon Club
2001 Mission Bay Triathlon Club
2000 Indianapolis Tri Team
Now for a little history about each of the states top club........
The Kalamazoo Area Triathlon Club came out of the rough to steal
first place from the defending champions Tri Fort. The Trikats were
2nd in 2004 and 13th in 2003. Kalamazoo, I was invitied to your
club meeting back in March to talk about the MERCRS and what it
takes to win it. Kevin, CONGRATS to your TriKats. You now have stepped
up and won the club Championships with important wins all summer long.
Kalamazoo will recieve the traveling trophy with your name engraved
on the trophy and $1000.00 for your Championship run.
CONGRATULATIONS Kalamazoo..........you are the new 2005 MERCRS Champions.
The Tri Fort Triathletes gave Kalamazoo the toughest run for the
Championship in the past many years. Tri Fort & Kalamazoo have been
going head to head now 2 years in a row. Tri Fort was 1st in 2004,
3rd in 2003, and 5th in 2002. Tri Fort Triathletes will recieve $700.00
for their Championship run and the top club from Indiana.
Team Toledo is another very consistent club, and they are an amazing group
on their home turf. I was invitied to your club meeting earlier this year
and told you how to win this Championship and you moved up to 3rd place.
You were 5th in 2004, 4th in 2003 and 6th in 2002. Team Toledo.......look
at what you have done so far. You are now poised for 2006 to make a serious run
on Kalamazoo. Team Toledo will recieve $400.00 for their Championship run
and top club from Ohio.
Chicago Triathlon Club is probably the biggest club in the MidEast Region.
A consitent contender in the MERCRS. Chicago Tri Club was 4th in 2004,
2nd in 2003 and 1st place in 2002. Chicago Tri Club will recieve $250.00
for their Championship run and the top club from Illinois.
The University of Kentucky TriKats. Without you there would be no top club from
Kentucky! Be proud that your club and university represents the racing scene
for the bluegrass state. You will receive $250 for their Championship run and
the top club from Kentucky.