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Minnesota's Teen Talent...Updated...

Tuesday, 02 September 2014 09:25

The 2014 Minnesota Multisport Awards are tentatively scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 25 at Gear West Bike and Triathlon in Long Lake. Triathletes Choice Race of the Year voting will begin on September 15, as will the announcing of award nominees. Between now and then MTN will reveal the names of those whom the MMA Selectors are considering as possible nominees in the various categories.

Today we will introduce those who are being considered for 2014 Junior of the Year. These athletes need to have turned in at least three outstanding performances this year. There efforts are measured against the divisional course records of the races they’ve competed in, and against the performances of those who have won the JOY, or been nominated, in the past.

After all the resumes are reviewed, each of the Selectors will recommend four candidates. The four athletes who receive the most support will be announced as the official nominees.

As is always the case with the JOY category, a number of talented teens raced only once or twice during the season and therefore were ineligible for consideration. This year, Racquel Wohlk, Parker Roehl, Nathan Bich and Alyson Welch are in this group....

Here, in alpha order, are some of the teen triathletes being considered for 2014 JOY nominations:

Mitchell Clayton, 17, Forest Lake

Paige Danielson, 17, St. Cloud

Nick Klonne, 17, Rockford (photo Top L)

Christopher Lam, 18, Rochester

Mark Ostroot, 17, Kasson

Sophie Rabino, 16, Woodbury (photo L)

Lauren Steinke, 14, St. Cloud

Jacob Totall, 17, Minneapolis

We’ll be telling you more about these junior athletes, and perhaps a few others, in the days to come.

UPDATE: Coach Kris Koepp emailed Alyson Welch's 2014 resume to us. We were aware of her two in-state performances--1st overall at RochesterFest Sprint, 5th overall (1st Junior) at North Mankato--but did not know that she had two successful efforts in other states. We thank Coach for his input and will place Alyson (15, Rochester) on the list of JOY considerees.