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Who Will the Male MI Nominees Be?

Friday, 24 October 2025 00:10

Photo - The Brothers Syvertson, Easton and Spencer.

By Bonnie

The "Most Improved" honor measures a triathlete's movement toward or within Team Minnesota. Put differently, it measures who is most dramatically climbing the ladder of success, and thereby meeting or approaching the high historical standards set by our state's best, i.e. national and world class, triathletes.

Sometimes, the MI recipient wasn't on the MMH radar previously. Last year's male recipient, TEVIN NEEGAARD, is a perfect example of this.

And sometimes, one of our state's best athlete gets even better. CARYN WIKMAN is a perfect example. Caryn was ranked #5 on Team Minnesota in 2021, 3rd in 2023, and 1st in 2024. Movement within the Top 5 is especially difficult. A one spot improvement in the Top 5 is often the equivalent of 4-or-5 spots in the bottom five. In Caryn's case, just when we thought she couldn't get any better, she did...

Today we are discussing the men who are being considered for 2025 MI nominations. Are there any Tevin Neegaards in the bunch? Not really. All the athletes under consideration have been on the radar, at least for the prior year, as in KYLER WILLIAMS' case.

Then there are NATHAN KIM and SPENCER SYVERTSON, ranked in the Top 3 last year, yet somehow they were even faster and more accomplished this year. But was their improvement unanticipated? No, but still....

Here, in alpha order, are the guys Clyde and I are considering for the Male Most IMproved honor:

MITCHELL CLAYTON, 29, Rochester - Mitch was deserving of an MI nomination last year but with Nathan Kim, Spencer Syvertson and Tevin Neegaard in the mix, he was the odd man out. Well, Clayton was faster this year, outracing guys that he'd never beaten before. He recorded two wins, a fast 2nd and a DNF, wherein he was leading before he flatted. Is there is a spot for him on Team Minnesota this year? Heck yeah!

NICK JASMER, 33, Menagha - While his placements at races were similar to 2024, which was a breakout year, his times were faster, sometimes very significantly faster, this year. His trajectory suggests that a spot on Team Minnesota could be in the not too distant future.

NATHAN KIM, 23, Minneapolis (photo R) - Ranked 2nd behind Preston Youngdahl in 2024, Nathan is nevetheless a possible MI nominee. He's emerged as one of our country's premier amateur racers at both Olympic and Half IM distance. Two of his efforts--2nds at St. Anthony's and Madison 70.3--are likely to receive POY nominations. Does his 1:53:26 at St. Anthony's override his 1:52:50 at Maple Grove? We think so. (St. A's bike is a full 40K, whereas MGO's is 37K, plus St. A's transition area is huge, requiring extra time to navigate.) His 4:05 at Madison 70.3 last month is almost seven minutes faster than his 2024 time.

EASTON SYVERTSON, 23, Paynesville - Easton has come a long way in the last few years. His times are improving dramatically, and his 70.3 debut landed him on the overall podium. Is there a place for him on 2025 Team Minnesota, though?

SPENCER SYVERTSON, 29, Alexandria - Like Kim, he was somehow even faster this year. Five wins, three course records and a 70.3 PR. His Northwoods record will probably earn a POY nomination.

KYLER WILLIAMS, 17, Zimmerman - Kyler won two of the three in-state races he did and podiumed in his AG at Olympic Nationals. We like his trajectory, though he is a year-or-two away from Team MInesota consideration.

Sadly, a health issue prevented MICAH WARNING from having that third great performance that would likely have secured an MI nomination. (He won at Trinona and Timberman Intermediate.)