Photo by Travis Pratt Staff photo by Ron Cassie Rebeccah Wassner, a professional triathlete and former Mount St. Marys running star, is seen after winning the second IronGirl triathlon in Columbia.

A member of the Lipton Tea professional cycling squad and a World Cup triathlon competitor, Wassner set five running records as a student at Mount St. Mary's. She was previewed by Sports Illustrated as an athlete to watch in 2003 and hopes to earn a spot on the 2008 Olympic team.

In many ways the IronGirl was about the 2,000 women who came in behind Wassner: the first-time triathletes, the pre-Title IX women and the cultural shift that an all-women's triathlon represents. Half a generation ago, professional athletic opportunities for women were limited to golf and tennis. Race director Robert Vigorito said 1,030 first-time triathletes were among the 2,000-plus women registered for the second IronGirl, one of several events Ryka sponsors for women athletes -- and those who just want to get into shape.

The Aug. 19 IronGirl was a family affair, with fathers pushing strollers and men bringing flowers. The event, a shorter version of the 25-year-old Columbia Triathlon, attracted 62 girls age 19 or younger.

But it was also about athletes like Wassner, 31, a former CPA now living in New York City. She was a high school cross country and track star at Watkins Mill in Gaithersburg, winning four state titles, and now is a member of the USA Triathlon Elite National Team and U.S. World Championship Team.

Among her career accomplishments are a third-place finish at the 2006 New York City Triathlon, a third at the 2006 International Triathlon Union Pan Am Championships, and a fifth at the 2006 U.S. Elite Nationals.

Wassner captured the first-place trophy at the IronGirl by covering the .62-mile swim, 17.5-mile bike, and 3.4-mile run in 1:21:08, a minute and 47 seconds ahead of Pip Taylor, an Australian who has lived and trained in Annapolis since turning pro seven years ago.

Taylor said she got out of the water in third place and exchanged the lead on the bicycle a couple of times with Wassner. She said she never saw Wassner on the winding, heavily-wooded course around Centennial Lake after the bike-to-run transition.

The Columbia IronGirl, Wassner said, was a stepping stone in her competitive training schedule this season, but she was also happy to be near home.

"It's great to come back to the area and race with my family here," said Wassner, surrounded by her dad, Irb, her mom, Liz, younger sister Sarah, and twin sister Laurel. Both Laurel and Sarah also ran at the Mount.

Laurel hopes to earn her USAT license this year, Wassner said. Sarah, 28, is following her older sisters into the multi-sport.

Though she lived near Columbia, Wassner had never before entered a race there. At 5 foot 2 inches and 105 pounds, she had an advantage on the hilly course, especially on the bike. She's a natural climber.

"I've got a good power-to-weight ratio," she said.