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Three Minnesotans Named US Duathletes of the Year...

Saturday, 01 March 2014 00:10

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Triathlon today announced the 2013 Duathletes of the Year, including the nation’s top age-group, junior and elite duathletes, recognized for outstanding performances in the United States and abroad. The honor, presented by Garmin, is awarded annually by USA Triathlon’s Age Group Committee, following nominations by the Duathlon Committee.

"Duathlon competition results in 2013 highlighted many of our competitive and outstanding athletes,” said Steve Sutherland, chair of the USA Triathlon Age Group Committee Athlete of the Year Subcommittee. “To rise above and stand out in this group as a Duathlete of the Year is truly a great accomplishment."

Alex Arman (St. Charles, Ill.) and Jenn Scudiero (Eagan, Minn. - photo) were named the overall Duathletes of the Year. Arman was the first amateur finisher at the Apple Duathlon, and he finished second in the 25-29 age group at the ITU Duathlon World Championships in Ottawa, Canada, where he ...

was seventh overall. Scudiero was the first overall amateur female finisher in the standard-distance USA Triathlon Duathlon National Championships, and she set course records en route to wins at the Falls Duathlon and the Dubuque Duathlon.

Masters Duathlete of the Year honors were granted to Andy Ames (Boulder, Colo.) and Ann Davidson (Portland, Ore.). Ames was the first-place finisher in the 50-54 age group at ITU Duathlon Worlds and USA Triathlon Duathlon Nationals, where he finished eighth overall. Davidson was the first 50-plus finisher and sixth overall at ITU Duathlon Worlds, and she was the first Masters finisher and second overall at the Mt. Rainier Duathlon, which also served as USA Triathlon’s Long Course Duathlon National Championships.

Kerry Mayer (Brookfield, Wis.) and Patty Peoples-Resh (Redlands, Calif.) claimed Grand Masters Duathlete of the Year titles. Mayer won the 65-69 age group at USA Triathlon Duathlon Nationals and ITU Duathlon Worlds. Peoples-Resh also clinched victory in her age group, topping the podium for 55-59 year olds in the sprint-distance events at USA Triathlon Duathlon Nationals and ITU Duathlon Worlds.
For the second straight year, Alistair Eeckman (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Colleen Sands (Princeton, Mass.) were the top Junior Duathletes of the Year. Eeckman was the first-place junior at USA Triathlon Duathlon Nationals and ITU Duathlon Worlds. Sands was the victor of the junior division at the Just Du it Du and USCF MWR Duathlon.

Elite duathletes Dan Hedgecock (St. Paul, Minn. - photo) and Ruth Brennan Morrey (Rochester, Minn.) were awarded Elite Duathletes of the Year for their podium finishes in 2013. Hedgecock, a repeat winner, raced his way to first place at the Gear West Duathlon and the Apple Duathlon. Brennan Morrey was the top American on the international scene with a third-place finish at both the British Elite Duathlon Championships and Powerman Zofingen ITU Long Course Duathlon Worlds.

The 2013 USA Triathlon Duathletes of the Year and honorable mention selections are as follows:

Men’s Duathlete of the Year: Alex Arman (St. Charles, Ill.)
Honorable Mention: Eric Burnett (Pasadena, Calif.), Jeff Wilson (Copley, Ohio)

COMMENT: Strenuously disagreed with Armin's selection. Burnett was our pick.

Women’s Duathlete of the Year: Jenn Scudiero (Eagan, Minn.)
Honorable Mention: Glenda Adams (Austin, Texas), Celia Dubey (Tarpon Springs, Fla.), Courtney Robles-Wiseman (Corona, Calif.)

COMMENT: Advocated stenuously, albeit in vain for Suzie Fox to get an HM.

Men’s Masters Duathlete of the Year: Andy Ames (Boulder, Colo.)
Honorable Mention: David Burkhart (Brighton, Mich.), David Slavinski (Point Pleasant, N.J.), Shane Thread (Evansville, Ind.)

COMMENT: We supported these selections.

Women’s Masters Duathlete of the Year: Ann Davidson (Portland, Ore.)
Honorable Mention: Glenda Adams  (Austin, Texas), Kirsten Chapman (Edmond, Okla.), Kristin Villopoto (Chapel Hill, N.C.)

COMMENT: Some disagreements here. We wanted Adams to be the MOY. We also advocated for Lisa Bouhler to receive an HM in place of Villopota.

Men’s Grand Masters Duathlete of the Year: Kerry Mayer (Brookfield, Wis.)
Honorable Mention: Don Ardell (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Bill Logan (Cape Girardeau, Mo.), Keith Woodward (Stowe, Vt.)

COMMENT: Full agreement here. Mayer ran away with category.

Women’s Grand Masters Duathlete of the Year: Patty Peoples-Resh (Redlands, Calif.)
Honorable Mention: Ellen Hart (Denver, Colo.), Barb Morgan (Tioga, Pa.), Pam Stevens (Sartell, Minn.)

COMMENT: It came down to Peoples-Resh and Stevens for the GMOY. Guess which one I favored.

 
Men’s Junior Duathlete of the Year: Alistair Eeckman (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Honorable Mention: Daniel Pearson (Brookfield, Wis.)

COMMENT: Agreed.

Women’s Junior Duathlete of the Year: Colleen Sands (Princeton, Mass.)
Honorable Mention: Elizabeth Edwards (Kennett Square, Pa.)

COMMENT: Agreed.

Men’s Elite Duathlete of the Year: Dan Hedgecock (St. Paul, Minn.)
Women’s Elite Duathlete of the Year: Ruth Brennan Morrey (Rochester, Minn.)

COMMENT: We were asked to vote for an HM but USAT decided to, we assume, drop them because of the absence of viable female candidates. Too bad. Most, if not all, committee members selected Patrick Parish as the EDOY HM.