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Josh & Becky Are 2024 Masters of the Year...

Saturday, 16 November 2024 00:10

By Simon

2024 Minnesota Multisport Honors - Without much debate, Garfunkel and I agreed that JOSH BLANKENHEIM and BECKY YOUNGBERG are MTN's 2024 Masters of the Year. This was one of the easier categories to determine. Here's why:

JOSH BLANKENHEIM, 44, of Duluth, was the outright winner of three of the four Minnesota triathlons he did in 2024. He finished a very close 2nd in his only non-winning performance. Moreover, he was consistently fast in each race. His times were remininscent of those turned in by Minnesota Masters greats, Brian Bich, Matthew Payne and Kevin O'Connor.  At Brewhouse, he was a close 2nd behind MI nominee Spencer Syvertson, who received serious consideration for a Triathlete of the Year nomination, then outraced Spencer at Lakes Country. Of the three male MOY nominees, Josh will have the highest placement on Team Minnesota.

We congratulate Sam Hauck and Brandon Lee on their nomination-worthy seasons. We especially commend Brandon for his versatility. He raced impressively at Sprint, Olympic and 70.3. ...

BECKY YOUNGBERG, 49 (now 50), of Shakopee, raced often (7 races) and with the kind of success that makes one question her age. She won four races outright and turned in a close 2nd behind TOY nominee Elena Jasper at Lake Minnetonka. She was fast and versatile, excelling at Sprint, Olympic, 70.3 and duathlon. Kadie Hokanson and Tiffany Kari Cizmas had excellent seasons and richely deserved their nominations, but like Josh, Becky will rank high on Team Minnesota.