FEATURES

Gaby, Hanna, Becky...Jesson, Wade, Patrick & Ted...

Wednesday, 10 October 2018 23:10

2018 MINNESOTA MULTISPORT HONORS - Many years ago the MMH Committee decided to limit the number of PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR nominations by a single athlete to two. This was done to involve more athletes in the POY process, as there have been years, and 2018 was one of them, where a single athlete turned in three or more POY-nomination-worthy efforts. Most recently, for instance, HEATHER LENDWAY could have  swept the nominations, and limiting her to just two nominations wasn't easy for the Selectors.

This year GABY BUNTEN turned in two very clear POY-nomination-worthy efforts, and one or two others that could be considered had HANNA GRINAKER and BECKY YOUNGBERG (and DANI V) not raced so well.

And speaking of Hanna, all six of her 2018 triathlon performances were POY-nomination worthy. This is unprecendented. Selecting only two of her performances wasn't easy.

So, after much debate, here are the official women's POY nominees: ....

GABY BUNTEN - 1st overall woman @ USAT Olympic Nationals

GABY BUNTEN - 2nd overall woman / 1st US @ Gold Coast Olympic World Championships (top photo)

HANNA GRINAKER - 1st overall woman @ Minneapolis Olympic - 2:08:06

HANNA GRINAKER - 1st overall woman @ Heart of the Lakes - 1:39:42

BECKY YOUNGBERG - 1st overall woman @ Maple Grove Olympic - 2:05:01 - Course Record (margin of victory - 6:04)

In addition to other efforts turned in by the official nominees, seriously considered for POY nominations was Dani Vsetecka's victory at Augusta 70.3, and Christina Roberts' 3rd place / 1st US at Escape From Alcatraz.

The women's POY nomination process was hard, but not quite as hard as determining the men's nominations. Here are the nominees:

JESSON BAUMGARTNER - Victory at Apple Duathlon

WADE CRUSER - 1st @ Maple Grove Olympic - 1:54:18 - Course Record

PATRICK PARISH - 1st @ Lake Waconia - (Arguably the deepest men's field of the year in Minnesota)

TED TREISE - 1st @ Augusta 70.3 - 4:08:29 (photo R)

In addition to other efforts turned in by the official nominees, seriously considered for POY nominations were Sean Cooley, for his wins at SuperiorMan and Minneapolis, as well as his 2nd (1st US) at Chisago Half IM, Kevin O'Connor's win against a very strong field at Chisago Sprint, and Matthew Payne's course record at Hopkins Royal.