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Nathan and Paige Again!
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Sunday, 07 December 2025 00:10
By Bonnie & Clyde
Bonnie - Picking the 2025 Performances of the Year was tough. Was Paige's PR victory at Madison 70.3 superior to her runner-up effort at Ironman Chattanooga? I not sure, but I'm leaning towards her IM performance. Next week I might change my mind.
The same difficulty befell me with the men's POY selection. Was Nathan Kim's 2nd at St. Anthony's Olympic (1:53:26) more noteworthy than his 2nd at Madison 70.3 in a personal best 4:05:48. The Florida race is arguably the most competitive non-National Championship race in the US. And the winner at Madison (Tyler Tanko) was arguably America's best male amateur 2025. Heads or tails? I chose heads. Next week I may change my mind.
My picks for 2025 Performances of the Year: Paige Schulz' 2nd at Ironman Chattanooga and Nathan Kim's 2nd at St. Anthony's....
2025 Female Triathlete of the Year: Paige Schulz..
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Thursday, 04 December 2025 00:10
By Bonnie & Clyde
2025 Female Triathlete of the Year. Three great nominees. One slam-dunk winner.
Bonnie – Elena Jasper and Cami Eckhoff had great seasons and richly deserved their TOY nominations. Paige Schulz, however, had the type of year that Heather Lendway (pre-2015) and Cathy Yndestad, arguably our state's all-time best amateur female triathletes, would be proud of. Though she only had three results, all were POY-worthy. Her 9:43 at Ironman Chattanooga was the fastest IM time by a Minnesota female amateur ever, and her 70.3 best (4:34:48 at Madison 70.3) was 7:10 faster than the 2nd fastest Minnesota woman (Elena Jasper's 4:41:58 at Maine 70.3) this year.
Schulz is my slam-dunk pick for F-TOY. ...
2025 Male Triathlete of the Year: Nathan Kim...
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Monday, 01 December 2025 00:10
By Bonnie & Clyde
2025 Male Triathlete of the Year - Clyde and I submit our picks and reasoning separately then compare notes. Sometimes we disagree, and debate ensues, as was the case with the Junior of the Year category. Sometimes we are in complete agreement, as in the case of male and female Masters of the Year. We are in complete agreement concerning today's M-TOY picks.
Here's how we arrived at our mutual choice for 2025 Male Triathlete of the Year:
Bonnie – Spencer Syvertson dominated the instate scene, winning 6 of 7 races, most in course record times, then taking 2nd at Maple Grove behind Wisconsin's Tyler Tanko, who I believe deserves to be the 2025 US Triathlete of the Year. Spencer capped his season with a 6th place / PR at Madison 70.3. In most years his resume would earn the TOY, but not 2025. While he was setting local standards, Nathan Kim was establishing himself as a star on the national racing scene. His 2nd place finishes at St. Anthony's and Madison 70.3 were nominated for Performance of the Year. Both were the fastest times at their distance by a Minnesota man last season. His other two national appearances—Des Moines and Muskoka 70.3—resulted in a 3rd and 4th overall placements respectively. Nathan Kim, therefore, is my 2025 Male TOY pick. ...
Happy Thanksgiving From MTN!
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Thursday, 27 November 2025 00:10
2025 Female Most Improved: Paige Schulz
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Tuesday, 25 November 2025 00:10
By Bonnie
Clyde and I were in total agreement about who should receive the Female Most Improved honor:
Bonnie - This was an easy one for me. While Adeline's and Amy's improvement were dramatic, especially Amy's, their likely Team Minnesota placement are near the bottom of the Top 10, whereas Paige Schulz's name will be on top of the list. She excels at long distance and recorded three of the four fastest 70.3 times by a Minnesota woman last season. She lowered her PR twice in 2025 and was six-plus minutes faster this year than her previous best for 2024. Moreover, her 9:43:35 at Ironman Chattanooga was the fastest 140.6 time ever by an amateur Minnesota woman.
For me, the choice for F-MI couldn't have been more clear: Paige Schulz.
Clyde - It’s important to note that when assessing Most Improved (MI) nominees, Bonnie and I look at movement relative to Team Minnesota. Thus, an athlete might have made bigger absolute gains than another, but an athlete who moved towards the top of Team MN may win the MI honor. That is because improvement is relative, i.e., it’s harder to make absolute time gains the faster you already are. To me, this is how this year played out. Adeline had a breakout year, but in my opinion, Amy had a...
