Volunteers, races and onlookers continue to grow each year with the Dam Race’s popularity.

With times all under or around 1 hour, 30 minutes – the top three finishers in the individual category of Crofton’s Dam Race polished off the annual triathlon in good fashion last weekend, Saturday, July 29.

On the overall women’s side, Dense Teahon Peter (Bib 670) of Lincoln finished the individual triathlon with a time of 1:34.51. Peter finished the Kayak run in 19:59.7; the run in 25:33.2 and the biking leg in 45:05.6.

Following her, and finishing near side-by-side were #2 Danae Eitzmann at 1:37.03.7 and #3 Alison Beeby at 1:37.28.2.
The overall men’s triathlon was won by Derek Van Heek of Crofton (Bib 674) with a time of 1:16:23.5.
Van Heek completed the Kayak leg in 18:16.5; crossed the running finish line in 20:15.1; and rode his bike across the finish line in downtown Crofton at a time of 35:54.0.
Zach Bokemper of Yankton finished in second in the men’s individual triathlon with a time of 1:18.05; and Timothy Metcalf of Norfolk was third with a time of 1:20.08.
Triathlon winners by age category were:
01-19 Men’s: 1, Timothy Kolster, 1:34.23; 2, Ryan Schmit, 1:42.16.8; 3, Dason Wilson, 1:49.36
20-29 Men’s: 1, Tadan Wilson, 1:25.38.7; 2, Conner Wilson, 1:31.28.4; 3, Colton Schieffer, 1:31.28.8
30-39 Men’s: 1, Vance Janak, 1:24.21.3; 2, Jason Orr, 1:27:05.4; 3, Lucas Weeder, 1:29:22.5
40-49 Men’s: 1, James Meuret, 1:24:34.1; 2, Scott Kuehler, 1:25:36.7; 3, Joel Dieken, 1:28:54.6
50-59 Men’s: 1, Scott Stopak, 1:21:32.0; 2, Steven Filips, 1:30:53.7; 3, Wade Mulder, 1:33:02.1
60+ Men’s: 1, Bryan Buss, 1:34:26.0; 2, Jeff Steffen, 1:40:13.9; 3, Rich Weeder, 1:51:03.0
0-19 Women’s: 1, Jolee Mesz, 1:38:02.7; 2, Lydia Edmonds, 1:40:00.9; 3, Brielle Castillo, 2:16:23.6
20-29 Women’s: 1, Nicole Van Heek, 1:37:53.0; 2, Paige Steinman, 1:40:05.8; 3, Mary Fanta, 1:43:18.2
30-39 Women’s: 1, Tessa Belgum, 1:38:55.7; 2, Megan O’Grady, 1:39:03.6; 3, Michelle Meuret, 1:41:08.7
40-49 Women’s: 1, Christa Mesz, 1:38.:27.5; 2, Jackie Loecker, 1:38:57.5; 3, Danielle Nitzel, 1:40:43.0
50-59 Women’s: 1, Lisa Fligge, 1:39:54.0; 2, Sandy Catlin, 1:43:26.3; 3, Denise Goddard, 1:46:03.5
60+ Women’s: 1, Jean Ryan, 2:00:53.3; 2, Carol Hohenthaner, 2:04:44.5; 3, Elly Hardekopf, 2:06:44.8

Team Triathlon Results
The team triathlon event was won by a Crofton team, with another five Crofton teams placing throughout the top 25 in the race.
“Too Drunk To Float” was the top placing team with a time of 1:28:24.4. They led the field by right at a second overall, with second place finishing at 1:29:33. Teammates were: Amber Jansen, Craig Jansen and Austin Lammers.
Other Crofton teams, with placement, name and time, were:
10, Zebra & Muscles, 1:36:10.8: Craig Marsh; Kyle Stevens
12, Unit One Weigand, 1:41:03.2; Elizabeth Wortmann; Sophia Wortmann and Bailey Neuhalfen
17, Air Suckers, 1:50:56.4: Robyn Ostermeyer; Ryah Ostermeyer and Alexis Arens
19, Murphy Fam, 1:55:16.8: Liz Murphy; Dawn Murphy and Jacob Murphy

Half Marathon Results
The Men’s Half Marathon, 13.1 mile, run from the Park to Crofton was won by Brian Santiago of Hartington with a time of 1:13.32.6.
Second place went to Connor Reeson of Omaha with a time of 1:17:15.3, and third was TeJai Clausen of Norfolk with a time of 1:26:55.2.
In the Women’s Half Marathon, Abigail Schmidt finished in first with a time of 1:29:12.0.
Jordan Fischer was second with a time of 1:39:13.6; and Kristen Billings was third with a time of 1:39:16.9.
A number of Crofton residents also finished the race:
11, Kathy Hofmaier, 1:42:11.3
25, Chris Brown, 2:15:22.0

Bike Race Results
The final event of the individual races was a 12-mile bike race that started at the park and finished in downtown Crofton, and three racers from Crofton took medals.
In the Women’s Bike competition, Katy Billings of Auburn led the pack with a time of 46:56.5, and Crofton’s Morgan Zavadil was second with a time of 50:55.8. Third was Leslie Fanta of Norfolk with a time of 1:03:58.1.
On the Men’s side, Crofton registered folks took the top two spots:
1, Tony DeShazer, Crofton, 39:58.0
2. Tom Sobotka, Crofton, 48:17.0
3. Henry Janssen, Omaha, 48:28.0

Full results can be found online at TrueTime Racing Services, through the Crofton Dam Race social media or website (www.croftonsdamrace.com)


The Crofton’s Dam Race introduced a new award last year called the “Spirit of the Jorts” award inspired by Neal Neuhalfen, a Crofton native who embraces the tenacity, energy and fun of the race. “Neal did the full triathlon in cut off jean shorts the first year,” said Johnnie Ostermeyer, race director. This year’s award went to Bib 566: Corey Chicoine of Elk Point, S.D.