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Upward Mobility...

Thursday, 25 September 2014 00:10

(Artsy-Fartsy photo of Dani Fischer rocking at Nationals.)

Minnesota Multisport Awards - Today we introduce the five women who are official nominees in what has been known as the "Most Improved" category. The MMS Selectors admit that they hate the title. It's confusing; it doesn't adequately describe the category.

An alternate title would the "Rising Star" award, though most of the selectors aren't fond of that either, because the eventual nominees are those who are upwardly mobile with respect to Team Minnesota rankings. A nominee may be one who had not earned a Team berth in the past, but will this year, or come very close to doing so, i.e. say, ranking among the Top 11-20 in their gender.

Or if could be a person who has demonstrably climbed the ladder within Team Minnesota. There is so much talent in our state that moving up the ladder even a rung-or-two is very difficult, and one who does so will get serious consideration from the Selectors.

In alpha order, here are the official 2014 Most Improved (Women) nominees:

GABY BUNTEN, 22, Forest Lake - 2014 Highlights: Gaby picked up her first career victory at Liberty Olympic and lowered her Olympic distance PR from 2:19:53 to 2:14:00, doing so at Nationals. She podiumed in her last three races, not bad for one who only cracked her gender's Top 3 on one occasion in 2013.

DANI FISCHER, 26, Wausau, WI - 2014 Highlights: In only her 3rd year in the sport, Dani won one National Championship (Long Course), placed 2nd in two others (Triathlon and Duathlon) and 3rd at Worlds. Her Olympic-distance PR dropped from 2:10:58 (Nationals 2013) to 2:05:34 (Nationals 2014).

CHRISTINA ROBERTS, 29, St. Louis Park - 2014 Highlights: Christina has been flirting with a Team Minnesota berth for the last couple of years, and it is almost certain that she will earn a spot this time around. Her win at Life Time - Maple Grove may garner  a Performance of the Year nomination. She also podiumed with impressive times at Heart of the Lakes, Lake Minnetonka and Lake Waconia.

CHERYL ZITUR, 49, Corcoran - 2014 Highlights: Zitur's amazing season featured three victories and Bronze medals at Nationals and Worlds.

Others receiving strong support from the MMA Selectors in this caregory:

SARAH BERGER, 27 St. Paul (photo on page 2) - 2014 Highlights: 2nd place finishes at Waseca 1/3 and Superior Man Half, plus a 4th at Oakdale.

NICOLE CUENO, 35, Minneapolis - 2014 Highlights: Nicole has never raced often enough in the past to receive MMA attention. This year she convincingly won three of the four the the races she did.

BRIDGET MCCOY, 31, St. Paul - 2014 Highlights: A consistent Top 5 finisher this season, her resume was highlighted by two wins.

LISA LENDWAY, 33, St. Paul - 2014 Highlights: Lisa podiumed seven times this season, including wins at Life Time - Trinona Sprint and One Last Tri Sprint.

OFFICIAL NOMINEES PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED:

Master of the Year - Male:  Chap Achen, Brian Bich, Kevin O'Connor, Tony Schiller

Master of the Year - Women: Heidi Keller-Miler, Tracy Serreyn, Ann Snuggerud, Cheryl Zitur

Duathlete of the Year (Coed) - Dani Fischer, Diane Hankee, Nathan Hoffman, Matthew Payne

Rookie of the Year (Coed) - Emy Everhart, Laura Greer, Nick Nygaard, Kelly Thom

Junior of the Year (Coed) - Mitchell Clayton, Paige Danielson, Christopher Lam, Lauren Steinke

Grand Master of the Year (Coed) - Neil King, Bill Schmitt, Pam Stevens, Greg Taylor

MMA's will be presented at the 16th annual MMA Party on October 25 at Gear West Bke & Triathlon.