FEATURES

Why Sean?

Thursday, 30 November 2017 23:10

2017 MINNESOTA MULTISPORT AWARDS - With respect to the LONG DISTANCE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, 2017 was an odd year. Athletes nominated in prior seasons were generally more prolific, i.e. they had more than the minimum two nomination-worthy efforts. 

Let's compare the top two finalists from 2016, to this year's nominees:

2016 - 

 - DIANE HANKEE's LD highlights

1st @ Liberty (4:42:30)

2nd at Muncie 70.3 (4:38:51)

3rd @ Steelhead 70.3 (4:41)

- ERIN FARREN's LD highlights:

1st @ Toughman (4:49:07)

3rd @ Timberman 70.3 (NH) - 4:43:13

3rd @ Ironman Louisville - 10:02:29

Now look at the LD highlights of the athletes nominated in 2017:  ...

- NATHAN ANSBAUGH

2nd @ LIberty Half

5th @ Superior Man (4:15)

- SEAN COOLEY (top photo)

1st @ Chisago - 4:06:52

2nd @ Superior Man - 4:11:32

4th @ Madison 70.3

- KORTNEY HAAG

1st @ Liberty

2nd @ Chisago - 4:39:50

- CHRISTINA ROBERTS (photo R)

1st @ Superior Man - 4:37:05

5th @ Austin 70.3

Sean Cooley was named 2017 LDAOY. Why? Volume: He had three notable efforts, whereas the others had two. Add to this the fact that his Chisago win finished a controversial 2nd in the voting for Performance of the Year. And let's not forget that he had the two fastest 70.3 men's times by an amateur Minnesota male last season.

Every Selector agreed that Sean deserved the LDAOY.