(Sam Hauck is in this picture. Can you find him? Photo courtesy of Greg Fleck.)(Omaha, NE - July 20, 2009) Shoreview's Sam Hauck made the trek from Omaha, where he attends medical school at Creighton University, to Annandale with one goal in mind: to win the amateur title at Heart of the Lakes. He just missed doing so in 2008, finishing 2nd, just 20 ticks behind six-time champ Brian Bich, of Duluth.
In an e-mail the morning after he placed 2nd (amateur) at this year's HOLT, Sam had these comments:
"...sorry I had to jet out early from the race, but I just wanted to say how good it felt to be back racing in Minnesota. I was a little disappointed about not coming away with the amateur title, but considering Devon's (Palmer) herculean performance, I can definitely say I am pretty satisfied with my result. The battle for second was epic in and of itself, with Kevin (O'Connor) and I trying to break each other for most of the bike and run. I think we would both agree that this race is a testament to Minnesota having one of the best, if not the best, amateur triathlon scenes in the country. Anyway, I will be back...for Turtleman." -Sam
NOTE: Sam's time at HOLT was 1:27:59, which was 2:38 faster than his runner-up clocking a year ago. He is also the defending champion at Turtleman.
