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Josh, Sean, Wade & Matt...

Tuesday, 11 October 2016 05:10

MINNESOTA MULTISPORT AWARDS - Here are the official nominees for 2016 Male TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR:

- JOSH BLANKENHEIM (36, Duluth) - 3rd MMA Nomination - 1st TOY

COMMENT: Fast times in victorious performances at Toughman Sprint and Brewhouse Olympic were the highlights of his seven-race 2016 resume. He also podiumed at Timberman, Lake Waconia and in his AG at Omaha Nationals....

- SEAN COOLEY (31, St. Paul) - 4th 2016 MMA Nomination

COMMENT: Cooley won three races in 2016, two of which--CRs at Lake Waconia and Superior Man Half IM--earned POY nominations. Nearly as impressive were his 2nd place efforts at Buffalo Olympic, Life Time Tri - Minneapolis and Heart of the Lakes.

- WADE CRUSER (29, Sauk Rapids) - 4th 2016 MMA Nomination

COMMENT: Wade won three triathlons--Timberman, Big Lake Sprint and Lakes Country (CR)--and podiumed at three others.

- MATTHEW PAYNE (39, Golden Valley) - 3-time TOY - 8-time MMA winner (photo R with awesome wife Tiffany)

COMMENT: Matt won four of the six tris he entered and placed 2nd, despite an abdominal injury, at Superior Man. At Buffalo, he set a CR, and at Minneapolis, Heart of the Lakes and Toughman, he outraced three of the deepest fields of the year in our region.

ALSO CONSIDERED: KEVIN O'CONNOR (45, Medina).

Top Photo (L-R) - Josh Blankenheim, Sean Cooley, Wade Cruser