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Wishing They Were Here...

Thursday, 19 December 2024 00:10

Our last post featured many of the talented men who were ineligible for MMH consideration due to low racing volume or taking a a year or two off. Here are some of the fast women who we'd like to see return to racing, or increase their racing volume.

Olivia Melhorn, 33, Prior Lake - Since 2013 this former collegiate and professional soccer player has only raced fourteen times, and she won half of those races. She hasn't entered more than one race per season since 2017. We'd love to see her make a comeback.

Grace Busch, 21, Mankato - Where is Grace these days? The former Junior of the Year was well on her way to becoming an adult tri star when she stopped racing in 2023. Our fingers are crossed. We hope she returns to our state's tri scene in the near future.

Sara Carlson, 46, Brainerd - A winner of at least six tris in her career, with consistent sub-5 hour clockings at 70.3, Sara hasn't raced in a tri since '22. She occasionally "threatens" to return. We hope she makes good on that threat, hopefully in 2025.

Nicole Cueno, 44, Minneapolis - Nicole is like the popular person who lights up the room then leaves. In 2022 she lit up the room at YWCA Women's Tri and Turtleman, winning both, then she hasn't entered a tri since. Our records show her having raced in ten multis since 2014 and winning five times. Her only non-podium effort was a 4th at Gear West Duathlon in 2016....

Emily Gage, 37, Minneapolis - A former Most Improved Triathlete, Emily didn't race tris in 2024, concentrating instead on running events. Emily's tri resume boast five wins.

Kortney Haag, 44, Maple Grove - One of our state's all-time great female triathletes, Kort hasn't raced in a triathlon since 2022. Especially strong at 70.3, eleven of her 25 career victory have been at that distance.

Katie Kadera, 37, Marine on St. Croix - Nominated for Most Improved in 2023, Katie did not race in '24. Hope she returns next season.

Elaine Nelson, 46, Duluth - Another of our state's most accomplished triathletes who took 2024 off, Elaine only raced twice in '23, but she won both of those. She's recorded  27 Ws in her illustrious career and we hope she tries to add to that total in 2025.

Christina Roberts, 38, Minneapolis (Top Photo)- Like Kortney and Elaine, Christina is one of our state's most decorated triathletes. The 28-time champion, she hasn't raced in a tri since 2022. She plans to return. 2025? We hope so.

Paige Schulz, 32, Minneapolis - The 2019 Rookie of the Year is a terrific triathlete, especially in long course events, but she races infrequently. She always seems to be one race away from MMH nominations and Top 5 placements on Team MInnesota.

Maggie Swanson, 30, Excelsior - We suspect that injuries are largely to blame for Maggie's lack of racing volume in the last few years. When she's healthy, she races at a Triathlete of the Year level.

Kelly Trom, 38, Minneapolis (photo R) - Another star-quality triathlete, especially at 70.3, who stopped racing abruptly a few years ago. We'd love to see her return.

Please note that the athletes highlighted here are not the only ones that deserve mention. As with the men's list, it's fun to imagine how formidable Team MInnesota  would be if some or all of these great athletes were eligible for consideration.