8/15/98
1998 Ironman Photos
Peaman Writes:

     Our first qualifier was Diane McCary, of Kailua-Kona, who actually qualified last October by winning her age group at Ironman.   She was joined recently by new Kona resident Brent Imonen, who qualified as a professional at a race in Florida.
     Donald Johnson was next on the list as he acquired the United States Cellular ASK US sponsorship spot.  Jim Prescott and Chris Cornelius also got lucky as their names were drawn in the Ironman U.S. lottery.  All Johnson, Prescott and Cornelius had to do was finish the Keauhou Half Ironman and they were in.  All three did and were given their passes into October's ironfest.
     The next 28 qualifiers all did so by participating in the Keauhou race and placing near the top of their age group.  In the 18-24 category Lokelani McMichael qualified for her fourth consecutive Ironman.  The 25-29 winners were Matty Cunningham and Mike McCary.  Cunningham had a great race at Keauhou as he placed 24th overall. 
     In the 30-34 group, Chad DePontes, John Westergaard and Erik Winkler took the Iron entries.  The 25-39 division is always tough and this year Maggie Grenier, Wendy Gaetner, Shannon Oliver, Peter Bartsch, Tim Alspach and Tony Fitzpatrick will represent Kona in the Ironman.  I'm not sure, but Grenier, Oliver and Fitzpatrick just may be the first "tri-plets" to compete in the Ironman.
     Another very tough division is the 40-44 group.  Gerry murphy,  Bill Hall, James Sakai, Larry Davis and Mary Jo Stevenson all earned their Iron-entry.  Dard -Vader Aller, Dick Campbell and Michael Hargrove topped the 45-49 division.
     Linda Elliot-Wright, Dusty Best, Dane Decker and Tom Heide added their names to the list in the 50-54 category.  The 55-59 entries went to Pat "Muskrat" McCary and Lee Bowen.
    Our 60-64 representatives will be Leonard Peddicord and Stephen Shimada.  It will be Peddicord's fourth Ironman in Kona.  Look for him to give the world's best a run for their money in his age group.
     Finally there were two Keauhou lottery selections made and the lucky duo of Carl "Gecko" Ko'omoa and B.G. Johnson had their names added to October's Iron-roster.  Congratulations to all of our Big Island Ironman qualifiers.   Now comes the fun part......the training!

1998 Big Island Ironmen and Ironwomen