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Hoover, Hinish Capture BY DOUG HOOVER
ALTOONA, PA--The 5th Annual Altoona Summer Biathlon was held on Saturday, July 9 at the Altoona Rifle and Pistol Club. Doug Hoover and Sonja Hinish, both of Williamsburg, each captured their third consecutive titles at the event over a record-sized field of 34 women and 53 men. Summer Biathlon combines the disciplines of cross-country running and rifle marksmanship. Hoover captured the men’s race with clean shooting and a strong run that resulted in tieing his own course record of 16:06 set two years ago. “That record is starting to become a barrier. I’ve been beating at it for three years and just can’t seem to break through it. I’m happy with my shooting, though,” said Hoover. Hoover now has three of the four fastest times ever run on this course…all within six seconds of each other. Hoover was chased to the finish by newcomer Kyle Bowman of Brookville, Ohio who ran strong but missed five targets to finish in 17:50. Rounding out the top five were Matt Manfred of Altoona (18:27), Ben Niebel of State College (18:39), and Paul Harkins of Maineville, Ohio (18:49). Bowman’s time makes him one of only seven runners ever to go under 18:00 on this course. Harkins’ time shattered the previous 50-59 age-group record by 1:37. Also of note in the men’s race was the performance of Tyrone native Ed O’Rourke, who bettered the 60-plus age-group record by one second. In winning the women’s race with a time of 19:10, Hinish now claims the three fastest times ever run on the course. She hit 9 out of 10 targets, with the one missed target costing her the chance to lower her own course record. For the second year in a row, Stephanie Blackstone of Everett finished second to Hinish. She hit three targets and finished with a time of 21:12. Two years ago, it was Laura Beach of Curryville who finished second to Hinish. In her return this year, Beach was third in 21:54 with four hits. Both Blackstone and Beach improved on their previous performances and remain ranked 3rd and 4th all-time on this course. Rounding out the top five were Bridget Campbell of Carrollton, Ohio (22:35) and Anna Kobb of Woodward (23:20). Campbell jumped into the top-ten all-time rankings at 5th and Kobb moved to 9th. Olivia Biddle of Williamsburg stands at 10th all-time on the course after finishing 6th with a time of 23:21. MALE Overall 1. Doug Hoover (5,5) 16:06 14-19 1. Shane Simmons (3,2) 19:23 20-29 1. Richard Merritts (4,2) 19:19 30-39 1. Todd Yarnell (4,1) 19:54 40-49 1. Ray Ricke (5,3) 20:07 50-59 1. Paul Harkins (5,4) 18:49 60 and Over 1. Ed O’Rourke (2,1) 28:48 FEMALE Overall 1. Sonja Hinish (5,4) 19:10 14-19 1. Anna Kobb (3,3) 23:20 20-29 1. Tiffany Brenneman (0,0) 23:35 30-39 1. Holly Hoover (2,1) 26:03 40-49 1. Stephanie Saucy (5,3) 24:02 50-59 1. Debi Page (5,5) 26:25
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