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Dr. Nate & Nikki Jean Are June 2017 AOMs....

Wednesday, 05 July 2017 09:10

Today we reveal MTN's 2017 JUNE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. To be eligible, athletes must turn in at least two outstanding performances during June. Addionally, sub-par, or poor results can undermine a resume. Say a person wins two races, but also has one or two medium-dazzle performances as well, that athlete has either demonstrated inconsistency or been the victim of bad luck. In either case, that athlete's resume is diminished.

JUNE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH - NATHAN ANSBAUGH (30, Minneapolis) & NICOLE HEININGER (28, White Bear Lake)

Nathan raced three times in June, winning twice--Lake Minnetonka and Lake Waconia--and placing 2nd --Liberty Half--on the other occasion, making him a slam dunk selection. HMs - Josh Blankenheim (36, Duluth), Kris Spoth (30, St. Paul), Brian Sames (30, Shakopee).

Heininger was also a slam dunk, in our opinion. Like Ansbaugh, she won twice--New Bri and Lake Waconia--and also had a 2nd (Liberty Half). It should be noted that she blew away a course record at New Bri, and her margin of victory at Waconia over a stellar field was substantial. HM - Diane Hankee (40, Lino Lakes), Christina Roberts (31, St. Louis Park)....More on Page 2...

MASTERS OF THE MONTH - KEVIN O'CONNOR (46, Medina) & DIANE HANKEE (40, Lino Lakes)

KO nipped Matthew Payne for the MOM. His June resume included a fast win at RochesterFest Sprint, and a 4th (1st Master) against a very competitive field at Pigman Sprint. Had Payne, whose victory at Buffalo falls into the "Major" category, not made a wrong turn at Lake Waconia, which resulted in an 8th place finish, The Payne Train would not only have taken the MOM, but perhaps the AOM as well, because Buffalo and Lake Waconia were arguably the two most competitive (amateur) races in June.

Diane's AOM HM status makes her the clear choice for MOM. Her June scorecard feeatured an overall win at Pigman Sprint, and an overall 2nd at Lake Waconia. Slam Dunk City. HM - Matthew Payne (40, Golden Valley), Andrea Myers (41, Plymouth).

GRAND MASTER OF THE MONTH - JAN GUENTHER (58, Mound)

Jan is phenomenal. If she races twice in a month, chances are she'll claim the GMOM. In June, she finished 7th overall at Lake Minnetonka (2nd Master / 1st Grand Master / 1st 50+). It was a fine effort that she followed with a superhero performance at Lake Waconia, where she placed 5th overall behind four athletes who have been nominated for Triathlete of the Year in the recent past. Fourth placing Suzie Fox won the TOY in 2015. HM - Neil King (67, Nevis), Deb Roberts (66, Northfield).

JUNIOR OF THE MONTH - GARRETT WELSCH (19, Red Wing - photo L)

Slam dunk choice here. Garrett was top junior at Liberty Olympic and Lake Minnetonka. At Liberty, he placed 4th overall and beat his nearest teen rival by 21 minutes. At Waconia his AG margin was more than 17 minutes.

HM -  Anders Broman (17, Eagan) and Jack Hennen (16, Cambridge). 

FEMALE PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH - DANI VSETECKA (33, ROCHESTER) - Victory at Ironman Madison 70.3

Another slam dunk selection. Dani's effort in Madison will almost certainly receive a POY nomination at seasons's end.

HM -Nicole Heinger (28, White Bear Lake) - CR @ New Bri & Win at Lake Waconia; Gaby Bunten (25, Forest Lake) - Amateur win at Trinona

MALE PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH - MATTHEW PAYNE (40, Golden Valley) - Amateur win at Buffalo Olympic

This performance was selected based on field quality. Beating Wade, Sean and Blank is a big deal.

HM - Nathan Ansbaugh (30, Minneapolis) - Wins at Lake Minnetonka & Lake Waconia

MAY AOYs - WADE CRUSER & DANI VSETECKA

MAY MOMs - ROB MADGWICK & DIANE HANKEE

MAY POYs - WADE CRUSER - Victory at Apple, DANI VSETECKA - Victory at Apple