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More Breakouts - Sort of....

Saturday, 28 September 2024 00:10

KAITSY BAKER, 24, Plymouth - Can rookies have a breakout season? Sort of. Most rookies fly under the radar because they need a year or more to learn the sport. In Kaitsy's case, her success was visible and immediate: a top 5 finish at Clearwater Sprint. She followed that with another Top 5 (Northwoods), where she outraced some established successful triathletes. She finished her debut season with an 8th at Maple Grove Sprint, where once again her bike and run splits were encouraging. If she spends a lot of time in the pool in the off-season, her competitive trajectory could land her on Team MInnesota in a year or two....

CARYN HERRICK WIKMAN, 34, St. Louis Park (photo) - Can someone as decorated as Caryn still have a breakout season? Wasn't 2023 a BO year for her? Yes, but 2024 was special. Very much so. She only raced three times (thus far), but she won all three. She posted the two fastest women's Olympic times on Minnesota soil, and set a 70.3 personal best at Madison. Each effort was worthy of a Performance of the Year nomination. Caryn is a special athlete, and 2024 was a special year.

KADIE HOKANSON, 43, Alexandria - Kadie was a MOY nominee in 2023 and her 2024 resume was far superior to last year's. She's getting faster and her results clearly demonstrate that fact. Four overall women's wins in five starts, including a 70.3 PR and a 2nd behind Becky Youngberg, our state's 2024 MOY frontrunner, at Green Lake International. A breakout season? We think so.

TIFFAMI KARI CIZMAS, 44, Duluth - Tiff has come and gone from the tri scene over the years. From 2018 to 2022, she raced in only one tri per year. She hasn't done more than three tris in a season since 2016. Until this year. Five starts, two overall women's titles, two 2nds and a 4th (1st Master). She's taking the sport seriously this year and her results show that, at 44, she's faster and more competitive than ever. A MOY nomination? Oh yeah.