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Preston & Caryn are 2024 Triathletes of the Year!

Sunday, 01 December 2024 00:10

By Simon

2024 Minnesota Multisport Honors - Selecting the male and female recipients of the 2024 TRIATHLETES OF THE YEAR was easy-peasy (a cringy expression). Both selections were slam-dunks.

Men:

PRESTON YOUNGDAHL, 33, Plymouth -It's a three-peat for Preston. Only Matt Payne and Cathy Yndestad have earned more consecutive TOYs, and Youngdahl could match their streaks if he wins again next year.

In 2024, he continued to beundefeated against in-state competition, and most of his performances were POY nomination-worthy. (His CR at Maple Grove Olympic won the POY!). He also raced in Texas at Ironman 70.3 Waco, where he placed 4th overall (4:15:25). 

Sean Cooley and Nathan Kim  had awesome seasons and richly deserved their nominations.

Preston's Season:

1st @ Apple Triathlon - 1:10:47

1st @ Trinona Olympic - 1:55:37

1st @ Lake Minnetonka - 55:13...

1st @ Lake Rebecca Sprint (600 - 14 5K) - 1:02:36

1st @ Green Lake Intermediate - 1:39:44

1st @ Maple Grove Olympic - 1:52:48 - CR / 2024 POY

4th @ Ironman 70.3 Waco - 4:15:25

CARYN WIKMAN, 34, St. Louis Park - Like Preston, she was the clear choice for TOY. Three starts, all in prominent events, and three decisvie wins. Her W at Ironman 70.3 Madison was runner-up for POY behind Heather Lendway's overall women's victory at Age Group Nationals. 

Caryn had never won an MMH, until this year, when she earned the Most Improved and TOY.

Caryn's Season:

!st @ Chisago Intermediate - 2:10:45 (MOV - 7:11)

1st @ Maple Grove Olympic - 2:05:09 (MOV - 3:28)

1st @ Ironman 70.3 Madison - 3:37:47 (MOV - 3:18)

Conrats to fellow TOY nominees Lendway and Elena Jasper.