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Sean, Kevin, Matt & Marcus...

Wednesday, 02 October 2013 05:10

Minnesota Multisport Awards - Here are the official nominees for 2013 Male Triathlete of the Year:

SEAN COOLEY (28, Grand Forks, ND - photo L)

A two-time nominee for Most Improved, Sean has gone to the next level, earning his first TOY nomination. Clearly his state's premier multisports, Sean proved in 2013 that his talent places him in national-level company. Winner of three races--Paradise Olympic (ONT), Young Life Olympic and Superior Man Half-- and finishing 8th at the Best of the US Championship, Cooley was one of the most consistent performers in our region.

KEVIN O'CONNOR (42, Medina - photo below R)

Kevin's season was amazing. He was either the outright winner or overall amateur champ in six of the nine races he entered. He also set an amateur...

record at Pigman Half (4:07:52!) and earned silver medals in both the Olympic and Sprint National Championships.

MATTHEW PAYNE (36, Columbia Heights)

Matt's resume featured four wins and two course records. His long course scorecard was particilarly impressive. He won two halves--Liberty and Chisago, placed 2nd in another (New Orleans 70.3 - PR - 4:05:52) and popped a 9:08:11 in a runner-up performance at Leadman 250-Bend. Also, he placed 2nd overall at the Best of the US National Championship.

MARCUS STROMBERG (37, Buffalo)

Marcus' resume features wins at Heart of the Lakes and COLT, a 2nd (amateur) at Lake Waconia and a 4th at Minneapolis Tri. He bronzed at Nationals and finished 7th at BOUS.

Other's receiving serious consideration fro a nomination in this category were BROOKS GROSSINGER (36, Mayer), DENNIS DANE (33, Robbinsdale) and BRIAN SAMES (25, Shakopee).