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MMA Hypothecation...Part II...

Thursday, 11 August 2011 03:00

(Photo - Hot tri chicks Ann Snuggerud and Heidi Keller-Miler being happy at Tuesday's Twins

Let's start with the girls. Michelle Andres and Claire Bootsma appear destined, as likely TOY candidates, to make this year's Team. Therefore, they should earn MI nominations.

Other great athletes who have improved significantly this year and have yet to land a berth on Team Minnesota and, we think, to be part of the discussion include Joanna Hall, Ann Snuggerud, Jessica Rossing, Stephanie Solfelt, Lindsey Marshall, April Morgan and Hilary Patzer.

Let's add Suzie Finger's name as well. She nearly made the Team in 2009 and 2010.

As for the guys, Dan Hedgecock is an obvious choice here. We also believe that Dan Arlandson is a rather obvious pick, too. Less obvious choices include Steve Sander and Josh Blankenheim. Also, if Chris Leiferman races at least once more in Minnesota this season (he's attending Colorado State University right now), he could receive a nomination.

* PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR - Dan Arlandson's brilliant 9:04:07 at Full Vineman feels like a no-brainer here. Heidi Keller-Miler's course record at Trinona Olympic has sufficient awesomeness, too, as does Dan Hedgecock's amazing performance at Life Time-Minneapolis. Perhaps Claire Bootsma's dominating effort at Buffalo Olympic is nomination-worthy, as well.

We are reluctant to pick other performances until the season has concluded. Why? Because amazing things might happen between now and then. Like Dan Hedgecock might WIN at Nationals on August 20. And Jan Guenther may WIN Ironman Wisconsin again. Stuff like that. Also, if Thunder Bay's Jon Balabuck races one more time on Minnesota soil, he will become eligible for award consideration. If that happens, his super CR effort at Buffalo Olympic may be nomination-worthy.

* DUATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Too early to speculate, but that's never stopped us before.Athletes need to have turned in at least threegreat du efforts, and few have done so at this point.Thus, results from the late season races--Turtleman, Minneapolis, Mosquitoman, Iron Girl etc.--will decide the nominations. We predict that this will be a coed category. Dan Hedgecock, who has two du wins this year (Gear West and Apple), needs one more race in order to secure a nomination.

At this point, though, only Kevin O'Connor and Chad Millner has raced often enough and well enough to pull in a nomination.

* TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Here's our notes on this year's most successful girls (in alpha order):

- Michelle Andres - Michelle has won five of the eight races she's done this far in 2011. He biggest win, though, will not be counted, because it was in a duathlon (Gear West). Also, three of her other four wins were against negligible fields. In her defense, her times in those events were wicked FAST. Also, her 2nd at Lake Waconia was VERY impressive. We think she deserves a nomination but to win the award, she may need at least one more win against the top girls.

- Claire Bootsma (photo below - perhaps she should change her name to Claire Buttsman?) - Eight starts, four wins, three 2nds and a 3rd thus far.Her victories at Manitou and Buffalo were Major.She definitely deserves a nomination.

- Heidi Keller-Miler -Two wins--Trinona and Lake Minnetonka--in four starts. The other efforts were a 2nd at Buffalo Olympic and a 3rd at Lake Waconia. We hope that Heidi races one or two more times this season. If she doesn't do so, and the Committee only selects four girls, Heidi go nominationless.

- Cathy Yndestad -The Athlete of the Decade has only raced three times thus far in 2011, winning twice(TwincCities Olympic and Croixathlon)andfinishing 2nd(Life Time-Minneapolis) on the other occasion. We do expect Cathy to race one or two more times this season, which would solidify her nomination. If she chooses not to race, though, Heidi may bump her for the fourth nominee's spot. Why? Because her Trinona win was POY-worthy.

- Becky Youngberg - Becky's back with a vengeance. Five wins in eight start, four of which were MMSers (Lake Waconia, Timberman, Heart of the Lakes, Brewhouse). In our opinion, Youngberg,like Hedge on the men's side, is the one to beat this year.

Any darkhorses? Girls who can make a late season run at a nomination? We have our eyes on Kortney Haag, Ruth Brennan Morrey and Julie Hull. Especially Kort. To get into the mix, though, she'll probably need to beat Claire on Sunday at YWCA. What a great battle that promises to be!

As for the guys, we believe that Dan Hedgecock, Patrick Parish and Matthew Payne are the obvious choices at this point. Jon Balabuck needs one more race in Minnesota in order to receive consideration. And we do expect him to do that. Dan Arlandson needs 1-2 more elite level tri efforts if he hopes to receive a nomination. Check out the resumes:

* Dan Arlandson - Dominating wins at Vineman and Liberty Half are tri highlights. His sub-par performance in 112-degree heat in Lubbock (Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3) doesn't help his resume. Nor do his fine duathlon efforts (2nds at Falls Du and Cinco Du Mayo). To receive a nomination, we think Dan needs two more noteworthy tri results this season.

* Jon Balabuck - CR-win at Buffalo Olympic and his amateur win (2nd overall) at Brewhouse, plus his brilliant 4th at Eagleman 70.3. Needs at least one more great performance on Minnesota soil, though.

* Dan Hedgecock (photo above R) - Nine wins in 11 starts, plus a terrific 3rd in his half debut at Chisago (4:09!). Enough said.

* Patrick Parish - Two wins, six 2nds and two 3rds in 10 starts so far. He's faster than he was in 2010, when he won 10 races, took home three MMAs and was named USAT Athlete of the Year Honorable Mention. A podium at Nationals and he could earn another HM. Oh yeah, he HAS to be nominated here.

* Matthew Payne - Eight starts, seven podiums, including three wins, one of which (Oakdale Du) will not be applicable here. His amateur CR at Trinona may be POY nomination-worthy.We believe he richly deserves a nomination.

Darkhorses? Kevin O'Connor, Alex Hooke and Brian Bich.

* LONG COURSE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - In this new category, athletes only need to turn in two "Elite Level" LC performances. Dan Arlandson (photo R) is the men's clear frontrunner at this point.

Who's out front for the girls?

Jan Guenther (2nd at Liberty, 5th at Chisago).