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August 2016 Athletes of the Month...

Saturday, 03 September 2016 05:10

Excelsior Running and MTN present its August 2016 ATHLETES OF THE MONTH.

In order to be eligible, athletes must have turned in at least two outstanding, i.e. efforts that approach or exceed the performance standards set at the races they competed in. Also, athletes are measured against those who have excelled historically. For instance, Masters athletes are compared to elite performers like Tony Schiller, Kevin O'Connor, Jan Guenther, Cheyl Zitur etc.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - CHRISTINA ROBERTS.

Gosh, this was a toughie. Great arguments could, and were, made favoring Bridget McCoy (Wins @ Brewhouse and Casco Bay Swimrun), Erin Hyndman-Farrens (1st @ Maple Grove Olympic and 3rd @ Timberman 70.3), Gaby Bunten (1st @ Turtleman and 13th overall @ Nationals) and Diane Hankee (1st @ St. Paul, 3rd @ Steelhead 70.3). Others who were considered included Kortney Haag, Lisa Lendway and Sheena Dauer....

In the end, a majority of the MMA Committee believed that the margins of victory over stellar fields at YWCA Women's Tri and Superior Man, where she was 3rd in 4:40:34, gave Christina the slight edge here.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - SEAN COOLEY

This was easier to figure out. Sean's 4:04:21 victory at Superior Man, arguably the male performance of the month, and his 1:58 at Young Life gave him the edge over Wade Cruser (1st @ Granite Man Big Lake Sprint and Lakes Country) and Brooks Grossinger (1st @ Waseca Sprint and Northwoods). Also discussed were Casey Miller and Michael Weissenborn.

FEMALE MASTER OF THE MONTH - JENNIFER NEUMAN

This was a two-woman race between Jen and Joyce Bourassa. Though Joyce won three races (Waseca Sprint, North Mankato and Lake Marion Sprint) and Neuman won two (Big Lake Sprint and Green Lake Sprint), the fields that Jen faced were deeper than those faced by Joyce. Very slight edge here to Neuman.

MALE MASTER OF THE YEAR - DAVID HOLDEN

Overall winner at Graniteman Big Lake Olympic (Course Record) and St. Paul (by 10+minutes), Holden was our clear choice. Tony Schiller (3rd AG at Standard Distance & Sprint Nationals) was also given serious consideration, as was Thomas Anderson III (3rd place - 1st Master--@ Maple Grove Sprint and Lakes Country).

JUNIOR OF THE MONTH - MITCHELL CLAYTON

The prolific 19-year-old won two races outright (Minnewaska and St. Paul Sprint) and finished 3rd (Junior CR) at Superior Man 41.5. Still, he received stout competition from Lauren Steinke (1st overall @ Lakes Country and 3rd / 1st Jr. @ Big Lake Sprint) and Allison Crum (9th - Jr. CR @ Brewhouse and 2nd overall / 1st Jr. @ Green Lake Sprint).

Also discussed in this category were Anders Broman, Parker Roehl and Maisy Waech.

FYI, voting for 2016 TRIATHLETES CHOICE RACE OF THE YEAR will begin in a two weeks, as will the official announcement of MMA Nominees.