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Due Diligence...

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 02:00

(Photo - Female Junior of the Year Hannah Strom and MMA co-host Bob Powers.)

Minnesota Multisport Awards - Determining who should be nominated and who should win the MMAs is an inherently controversial process. Heck, the members of the Selection Committee don't always agree with each others' choices and rationales. In the end, their goal is to demonstrate due diligence; showing that they truly scrutinized the results and that the final choices make sense, even if they are not universally agreed upon.

The truth is that the six-member core of the Committee (there are also three members that participated in the dialogue on a more occasional basis) worked their respective asses off and ultimately stand by the final selections, whether they agree with them or not. The process is totally democratic. They argue like cats and dogs, then independently submit our choices to the Chairman, who counts the votes. The athletes with the most support during the selection process receive nominations. The nominee with the most support in each category wins the award.

Here is a cursory glimpse into how some of the winners were determined.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Ruth Brennan Morrey

A slam dunk. Every Committee member supported her selection. While the other nominees demonstrated "Star Potential," Ruth, like 2010 ROY Jenny Shaughnessy, emerged as a true star. The four nominees won seven races between them. Ruth won FOUR of those races and clearly excelled in duathlon (1st at Falls), Olympic tri (1st @ RochesterFest MN State Olympic Championship) and long distance (3rd at Chisago and Pigman).

NOTE: Ruth's stunning amateur victory at the ITU Long Distance World Championships was NOT considered here, as all results posted after November 1 apply to the athlete's 2012 resume.

* JUNIOR OF THE YEAR - BOYS - Brandon Onopa

Brandon consistently faced tougher fields than his fellow nominees. His AG wins at Gear West, Heart of the Lakes and TC-Olympic set him apart from his 19U peers. His 13th at Life Time-Minneapolis Elite was arguably the Minnesota Junior Performance of the Year in 2011. Interestingly, he placed 2nd in his AG there, albeit behind Illinois' Chris Waitr, who is clearly one of the Top 3 19U in the US and is currently being groomed for a pro career.

* JUNIOR OF THE YEAR - GIRLS - Hannah Strom

What a great category! All four nominees demonstrated star potential. Though she was the fastest of the four girls, Ontario's talented