May 20, 2011

26. Smart. Fast. Two Tennessee Natives Rock the Early Season

 We have no idea what was in the water in Tennessee about 27 years ago, but it must have been something special.  The two amateur stand-outs of this early 2011 season are both 26; both born and raised in Tennessee; both currently in advanced studies in Alabama. And both are really, really fast triathletes.

James McCurdy is one of the hottest male amateurs on the national scene right now. His most recent triumph was last Sunday at Rev3-Knoxville. His 1:57:31 on the Olympic course was the fastest amateur time by two and a half minutes and landed him in 14th place overall, in a field featuring approximately 30 pros.

A doctoral candidate (Weed Ecology / Sustainable Agriculture) at Auburn University, McCurdy  has also turned in stellar efforts at New Orleans 70.3 (1st amateur), St. Anthony's (2nd Elite Amateur; 15 seconds behind former pro Adam Webber) and Collegiate Nationals (7th), against a field replete with pros and 23U teamers. Though the season is young, McCurdy is definitely on the  "Athlete of the Year" radar. 

Also blinking brightly on that same radar screen is Hallie Blunck. She darn near received an Athlete of the Year Honorable Mention last year. Already this season she has joined McCurdy atop the amateur podium at Rev3-Knoxville. Hallie's margin of victory was a gaping 6:13 over the second place amateur woman. Also like McCurdy, she finished 2nd among Elite Amateurs at St. Anthony's. A Rhodes Scholar, Blunck currently attends medical school at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. 

Rev3-Knoxville Elite Amateur Podium
1. James McCurdy (AL) - 1:57:31
2. Brett Nichols (MA) - 2:00:02
3. Dennis Meeker (CO) - 2:04:41

1. Hallie Blunck (AL) - 2:11:54
2. Becky Paige (MA) - 2:18:07
3. Katie June (GA) - 2:20:22*

* Katie June was women's overall champion the USAT Sprint National Championships in 2010 and should vie for a Junior of the Year nomination this season.
Rev3 Knoxville Results