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Carter, Macy, Taylor & Arianna...

Wednesday, 26 September 2018 23:20

MINNESOTA MULTISPORT HONORS - One of the most difficult categories to determine was JUNIOR OF THE YEAR, and though the Committee ultimately agreed on the final four, there were a few athletes who came dang close to earning nominations.

Who?

If the committe had allowed a fifth nominee, it would have been KYLE SWENSON, 16, of Rogers. Kyle won the Maple Grove Sprint outright, and cracked the overall Top 5 in three other races, losing to a fellow junior only once. Had his result at Sprint Nationals been more competitive, or if he had one more outstanding regional performance, he would have made the list of nominees.

Kyle is a very talented athlete and we are certain that future nominations, perhaps even a JOY title of two, will come his way.

ANDREW NOVAK, 17, or Oronoco was our state's most successful teen duathlete, winning his AG in the four dus he entered. We wish his resume had more volume, as all the eventual nominees raced in at least five multis apiece....

The "volume" question didn't apply to JACK HENNEN, 18, of Cambridge, who raced in at least eight regional tris, and though he placed behind a fellow junior or two in three of those races, he finished the season with a brilliant performance at One Last Tri Sprint, where he placed 2nd overall, one place ahead of Swenson. We'd be surprised if Jack did not receive a nomination in 2019.

In her final three triathlon performances, SIMONE LUNDQUIST, 16, of Osseo, clearly demonstrated that her future will include JOY nominations. She won the women's title outright at YoungLife Sprint, podiumed at Lakes Country, and gave eventual nominee ARIANNA WERTS a great battle, which Werts won by only 12-seconds, at One Last Tri.

Also discussed were ISABELLA BUENTING, 15, of Channhassen, GRACE BUSCH, 15, of Mankato, NATHAN BICH, 19, of Duluth, TANNER LONGSHORE, 15, of Faribault, CARSON ROEHL, 15, of St. Bonifacius, and MAISY WAECH, 18, of Grand Rapids.

Here, in alpha order, are the official nominees for 2018 Minnesota Junior of the Year, and their competitive highlights:

CARTER DEICHMAN, 17, Mankato (2nd nomination - top photo)