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Blindsided by Improvement...

Tuesday, 01 March 2016 00:10

2012 Minneapolis Tri Elite Super Podium (L-R) - Ruth Brennan Morrey (2nd), Cathy Yndestad (1st) and Claire Bootsma (3rd). (YndeCam photo)

On many occasions during this young century the MTN Guys have been pleasantly blindsided by an athlete's improvement.

Huh?

Here's some examples. In 2010, Rookie of the Year nominee Claire Bootsma did not make Team Minnesota. We predicted that she'd make the team in 2011, but we did not foresee that she would earn the #1 ranking, win three MMAs and be discussed for US AOY HM. Very cool! ..

2012 Rookie of the Year Heather Lendway did not make Team Minnesota her first season either. That she was ranked #1 in 2013, won three MMAs, won the USAT National Championship in the fastest women's time in event history and finish 2nd in the voting for US AOY took everyone but HL, and Stopwatch, by surprise.

It was a very, very, pleasant surprise.

In 2014 Heather was undefeated, won Nationals and Worlds and some claimed that she was the best female amateur triathlete that America had ever produced.

Claire and Heather were not the only ones who blindsided us with their incredible improvement during their sophomore seasons. Dan Hedgecock was unranked in 2010, then rose to #2 / 1st amateur on Team MInnesota in 2011. Kortney Haag was unranked during her ROY season in 2008 then went on to a 2nd place ranking behind US AOY Cathy Yndestad in 2009.

Was there a rookie in 2015 that appears capable of going all the way to the Top of the Team Minnesota mountain in 2016? Was there someone whose dramatic emergence would, for only the second time, not blindside us?

Yes.

Her name is Dani Vsetecka (pronounced "Sheh-Teska" - photo R). If she stays healthy and continues to train with Ruth Brennan Morrey, another Minnesotan who topped Team Minnesota in her sophomore season--Ruth's #1 Ranking in 2012 in her 2nd season did not blindside us, coming as it did on the heels of her 5th place ranking as a rookie in 2011 and her obvious emergence as America's premier female duathlete, amateur or pro--she could ascend to #1. For her to do that, however, would entail that she consistently outrace what is arguably the deepest assemblage of elite amateur women in our state's history.

We can't wait for the outdoor season to get started.