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2023 Most Improved Women...

Sunday, 05 November 2023 00:10

2023 Minnesota Multisport Honors - Here are the women who are being considered in the 2023 Most Improved category:

MATA AGRE, 30, Nisswa -

Highlights:

- 2nd @ Northwoods

- 3rd @ Lakes Country

- 4th @ Clearwater Olympic

Comment: Mata was significantly faster this year at Northwoods and Lakes Country than in year's past. Her Olympic result at Clearwater was solid, not quite at the level of "oustanding" needed to give her three outstanding peerformances. The question remains if, like with the junior girls, only two performances are needed, or as with most categories, three performances....

EMILY GAGE, 36, Minneapolis

Highlights:

- 1st @ Clearwater Sprint - 1:14:48

- 1st @ Big Lake Sprint - 1:12:18

Comment: Emily won this honor in 2018, and is faster now than then. Her times in both of her sprint efforts line up nicely with the best female performances in the history of those events. One again, the race volume issue needs to be considered.

KADIE HOKANSON, 42, Alexandria (Photo L with Corey Nygaard)

Highlights:

- 1st @ Alexandria

- 1st @ Young Life Sprint

- 2nd @ Average Jo

Comment: Kadie's Alexandria time was a course record. Her result at Young Life was very good, and her Average Jo performance was the second fastest there in more than a decade.

KATIE KADERA, marine on St. Croix (Top Photo)

Highlights:

- 1st @ Square Lake Sprint

- 2nd @ Maple Grove Sprint

- 3rd @ Chisago Sprint

Comment: Off the radar until 2023, the only women who beat Katie this year were Team MN's Cheryl Zitur and Diane Hankee. I recommending her for a MI nominatio.

TIFFANY KARI, 42, Duluth

Highlights:

- 3rd @ Timberman Olympic

- 2nd AG @ Pontevedra World Championships (ESP)

Comment: Once again, the issue of racing volume is on the table.

BETTINA KEPPERS, 40, Duluth

Highlights:

- 1st @ Timberman Sprint

- 1st @ Brewhouse Sprint

- 1st @ Bertam Blast

Comment: Bettina has flirted with nominations in the past and has earned a Master of the Year nomination this year. She is a serious contender for a MI nomination.

CHANTAL NACK, 26, Madison Lake

Highlights:

- 1st @ Tri Clear Lake (Iowa State Sprint Championship)

- 4th @ Hopkins Royal

Comment: Needs at least one more outstanding performance to be a viable candidate here.

VANESSA NAGEL, 36, Bloomington

Highlights:

1st @ Turtleman OLympic

- 3rd @ Maple Grove Olympic

- 3rd @ Hopkins Royal

- 7th overall / 1st AG @ Pontevedra World Championships

Comment: Vanessa has been considered for this honor before. It was her late-season performances at Maple Grove and especially Pontevedra that elevated her nomination-worthiness this year.

STEPHANIE PETERSON, 47, St. Paul

Highlights:

- 1st @ Oakdale Duathlon

- 1st @ Fairmont Sprint

- 1st @ Green Lake Sprint

- 2nd @ HyVee Tri (SD)

Comment: A breakout season that was impressive enough to earn a Master of the Year nomination.

BETTE ROWLEY, 38, Burnsville

Highlights:

- 2nd @ Pigman Sprint (IA)

- 2nd @ Hopkins Royal

- 2nd @ Big Lake Sprint