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Mitchell Clayton is 2025 Male Most Improved...

Saturday, 22 November 2025 00:10

By Bonnie

On the subject of 2025 Male Most Improved, Clyde and I enjoyed a healthy debate:

Clyde - Just like with the women’s MI category, I’d like to emphasize that Bonnie and I look at movement relative to Team Minnesota when assessing most improved nominees. This year, we are announcing Team MN as a 5-member cohort for both male and female, making it a pretty exclusive club. With that in mind, I believe Easton Syvertson had a season worthy of winning the most improved honor. Easton was a rookie in 2024 with good results for a newcomer. This year, though, he stepped up and would likely make Team MN if we were naming 10 athletes. His 5th at Buzz Ryan was only bested by prior Team MNers and two-time JOY Corbin Deichman. Also, he placed 3rd overall at Chisago Half in 4:32, which was his long distance debut. He also managed a strong 2nd at Alexandria, and had a successful Ironman debut at Wisconsin in September. So, I believe Easton had a most improved-worthy season.

Bonnie - While Nick Jasmer, Easton Syvertson and Kyler Williams are flirting with claiming spots on Team Minnesota, Nathan Kim and Spencer Syvertson and Mitchell Clayton are slam dunks. Nathan and Spencer were ranked in the Top 3 last year and each will move up a spot on this year's list, but it is Clayton that is not only earning his first berth, he should land in the middle of the list.  Presently, he and Joe Adriaens are in contention for the #5 spot on the Team, therefore, Mitch is the my clear choice for 2025 Male Most Improved.

Mitch's 2025 Resume:

- 1st @ Tinman Intermediate - Course Record

- 1st @ Timberman Sprint - 54:38 (4th fastest time in the course's 10-year history)

- 2nd @ Northwoods - 59:27 (Northwood's male Gold Standard is a sub-1-hour performance)

Note: Mitch was leading at Iowa's popular Tri Clear Lake when he flatted (DNF).

After a brief debate, it was agreed that MItchell was the best choice for the M-MI honot.