Joanna Zeiger

Olympian 2000

Athlete Bio#

Height

5'5"

Age

Hometown

Baltimore, MD

Education

Brown University

2000 Olympic Team Member
2000 U.S. Elite/Pro Champion
2000 USOC Triathlete of the Year
1998 USA Triathlon Rookie of the Year

Final 2007 ITU Rank: 60
Final 2007 U.S. Rank: 7

Web site: www.joanna-zeiger.com

Personal

Joanna Sue Zeiger... Born May 4, 1970 in Baltimore, Md... Earned a B.A. in psychology from Brown University in 1992… Earned a master’s degree in genetic counseling from Northwestern University in 1995... Earned her PhD in epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University in January, 2001… Worked as a research assistant at Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, studying the cause of oral clefts... Currently a research associate at the University of Colorado, Institute for Behavioral Genetics… Married Mark Shenk on Feb. 2, 2002, in San Diego, Calif.... Suffers from asthma and has partnered with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology… Was honored by the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in March of 2001… Has been inducted into the Brown University Sports Hall of Fame… Enjoys reading; favorite book is The Catcher In the Rye.

Elite Triathlon Career: Focused on long distance events in 2005 and 2006 before returning to ITU competition in 2007… Competed in three World Cup events in 2007 and captured first place in two Continental Cup events… Still maintained long course form by finishing second at Ironman Arizona and at the 5430 Long Course Triathlon… Won Ironman Coeur d’Alene in 5430 Long Course Triathlon in 2006… Qualified for the 2003 world championship team by placing second at the Treasure Island Triathlon… Injuries in 2002 and 2003 caused her to work on her form on the bike and run… Reached the podium in eight out of 10 races in 2001… Went straight from 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia to Hawaii to compete in 2000 Ironman World Championship, where she finished fifth… Placed fourth at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia… Won U.S. Pro National title by finishing as the first American, second overall behind Australian Michellie Jones, at Mrs. T’s Triathlon in Chicago… Qualified for 2000 Olympic Team by finishing second to Sheila Taormina at Olympic Trials on May 27 in Irving, Texas… At the Trials, was in seventh place after getting off the bike, but moved up with the fastest time in the run… Was USAT Elite National runner-up in 1998 and 1999.

Amateur Triathlon Career: In 1997, voted Amateur of the Year by USA Triathlon, Inside Triathlon and Triathlete Magazine... Was 10th overall (second amateur) at the Hawaii Ironman while finishing first in her age group... Finished second overall and first in her age group at the Amateur National Championship in Columbia, Md. … Won the Springfield (Ill.) Ironhorse Triathlon, the Blackwater Eagleman Triathlon in Cambridge, Md., and Mike and Rob’s Half-Ironman in Ventura, Calif... Was the first amateur and second overall at the Danskin Women’s Triathlon in Baltimore, Md... In 1996, was the 10th amateur (sixth in age group) at the Hawaii Ironman... Was the first amateur at the Mrs. T’s Chicago Triathlon... Finished second overall (first amateur) at Columbia, (Md.) and the Springfield (Ill.) Ironhorse... In 1995, was the ninth amateur (third in age group) at Mrs. T’s Chicago… In 1994, qualified for the Hawaii Ironman by winning her age group at the Muncie (Ind.) Endurathon… In 1993, began triathlon after a shoulder injury forced her to take up running to stay in shape… Completed her first triathlon on a borrowed bike that was “way too big.”

Athletic Background: Shortly before the 2000 Olympic Triathlon Trials, Zeiger competed at the Olympic Marathon Trials and placed 30th … Also qualified for the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Swimming Trials… At those trials, ran for the first time, when a teammate suggested running to the pool…After the 8-mile run in Austin, Texas’ summer heat, was so dizzy, avoided running for a while… Swam the 200 breaststroke and 400 I.M. in 1988… Qualified for the 1650 freestyle at the 1992 Trials but did not compete because of injury… Set Brown University Swimming records in the 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyle... Earned All-Ivy and All-Eastern honors her three-of-four seasons… Was named Brown Swimming MVP freshman and junior seasons... In Masters Swimming, set a national record in the 400 IM and a Maryland record in the 1650… Was named swim team MVP all three years at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego… Began Swimming competitively at age 7… Swam for Coach John Weckler at the Heartland Swim Association… Swam in club meets against Olympian Janet Evans.