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2024 July Triathletes of the Month...

Saturday, 10 August 2024 00:10

Who were the most successful Minnesota Triathletes in July? Needing at least two outstanding performances to qualify, except for "Performance of the Month," here are the July 2024 AOMs.

PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH - Men

SPENCER SYVERTSON, 28, Alexandria (photo L) - New Race Record at Allexandria Sprint

Josh Blankenheim's win at Buzz Ryan was also considered, as was UM student, Nathan KIm's huge win at Chisago 70.3. Kim claims Middleton, Wisconsin as his home, thus we were unable to determine his eligibility. If Nathan were recognized as a Minnesota athlete, he would have been honored here.

PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH - Women

 CARYN HERRICK WIKMAN, 34, St. Louis Park - Win @ Chisago Olympic - 2:10:45

A 2:10 is an awesome time for an elite amateur, but what makes Caryn's effort more remarkable

Is that she finished less than 9-minutes behind the elite male winner, and not the ususal dozen or more...

TRIATHLETE OF THE MONTH

ELENA JASPER, 27, Deephaven

Elena won Chisago 70.3 and placed 3rd at Timberman Olympic behind former pro Heather Lendway, and future pro Rachel Werking (WI).

JUNIORS OF THE MONTH

NOAH BILLINGS, 18, Rochester & ADELINE ALTHAUS-KOTILA, 14, Minneapolis

Noah was 6th @ Chisago Olympic, a solid effort, doing so after he WON at Junior Nationals. Adeline finished 2nd overall (1st. Junior) at Lake Rebecca,

and 5th overall (1st Junior) at Buzz Ryan Sprint.

MASTER OF THE MONTH

TIFFANY KARI CIZMAS, 44, Duluth

Tiff was overall women's winner at Buzz Ryan, and placed 4th overall at Brewhouse Olympic. A great case was also made for fellow Duluthian, Bettina Keppers, who won Timberman Sprint and placed 2nd at Buzz Ryan. Tiff prevailed because she beat Bettina at Buzz, and, to a lesser degree, because she faced a deeper field at Timberman.

GRAND MASTERS OF THE MONTH

TIM BROWN, 66, Emily & JAN GUENTHER, 65, Long Lake

Tim's AG win at Timberman Olympic and has AG record at Chisago 70.3 gave him a slight edge over Luke Harned, 71 (AGRs at Timberman and Lake Rebecca Sprint) and Chuck Hengel, 60 (AG wins at Chisago Olympic and Timberman Olympic). Jan crushed an AG record at Chisago 70.3 and placed 5th overall / 1st over-50 at Timberman Olympic. Also considered was Christel Kippenhan, 59, who set AG records at Buzz Ryan and Timberman Sprint in the month of July.