FEATURES
AJ, Preston, Heather & Maggie...
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Monday, 01 May 2023 00:10
Who do Matt and Damon believe is the 2022 Male Triathlete of the Year? They are still discussing this, and agree that there are two especially strong candidates, but neither are ready to name the TOY yet. Here, in alpha order, are the two athletes and their 2022 resumes under consideration:
- AJ MANNING, 34, Fargo (photo) - AJ had a spectacular season, winning three (Amateur title at Buffalo Olympic, Course Record at HyVee Sprint, and CR at Green Lake Olympic) of the five regional races he entered. His 14th overall place at Olympic Nationals (2:00:16) also helps his case. He set two course records, one of which is a slam-dunk POY nominee, and in his two confrontations with fellow TOY frontrunner Preston Youngdahl, he is 1 - 1.
- PRESTON YOUNGDAHL, 32, Plymouth - On Minnesota soil, Preston won four of the five races he entered, and placed 2nd in the other. His course record at Clearwater Olympic and amateur title at Maple Grove Olympic are POY nomination-worthy. He also lowered his personal half-iron best, posting a 4:12 (6th place overall) at Ironman 70.3 Madison...
Fueling for 70.3....
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Thursday, 27 April 2023 00:10
By Susan Kitchen (triathlete.com)
A successful 70.3 race comes down to two things: preparation and nutrition. Following a well-designed training plan will provide the race readiness and confidence you need to toe the starting line, but a solid 70.3 nutrition plan will get you across the finish. After all, your body is your most important piece of equipment – it’s the engine that makes it all happen. If you’re not properly fueled, then the most aero bike and world’s best training plan won’t help you....
Stuart, Andrew, AJ, Preston & Andy...
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Monday, 03 April 2023 00:10
Two members of the Minnesota Multisport Honors Committee, let's call them Matt and Damon, have begun discussing the resumes of Minnesota's top Elite and Age Group athletes in 2002. Today we are sharing their initial thoughts concerning emerging stars, i.e. those athletes whose improved performances have elevated taken them either from the chase pack to the lead pack, or if they were already among the leaders, they have elevated themselves within that group.
Here, in alpha order, are some of the men that Matt and Damon believe best fit the Most Improved criteria:
STUART GILDEA, 23, Minneapolis (photo below) - A former University of Iowa Tri-Hawk, Stuart is now a Biomedical Engineer at Medtronic. His pre-relocation resume was impressive, but he was demonstrably faster in 2022. For instance, he won back-to-back editions of Pigman Olympic. In 2021 as an Iowan, his time was 2:08. This year, as a Minnesota resident, his time was 2:02:06. In 2021, his time at Maple Grove Olympic was 2:02. This year his time was 1:55:19, which once again landed him on the amateur podium. He also broke 2-Hours at Kansas City Olympic this year, and placed 7th overall at (abbreviated) Sprint Nationals....
Jan, Beth, Christel, Pam, Amy & Cheryl...
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Friday, 31 March 2023 00:10
Who are the most nomination-worthy of Minnesota's female Grand Masters in 2022? Matt and Damon consider Jan, Beth, Christel, Pam, Amy and Cheryl to be the strongest candidates.
Here are their 2022 highlights:
JAN GUENTHER, 63, Long Lake - Winner of more MMHs than any other Minnesota triathlete, it came as no surprise that her 2022 regional resume was stellar. She set AG records at Timberman Olympic, where she placed 3rd overall in the women's race, and Buffalo, where she was the 7th woman to cross the finish line. She also placed 7th (AG win) at Lake Minnetonka, and she won her age group title at Ironman 70.3 Madison.
BETH HASSLER, 66, Andover / Eagle River, WI - Divisional wins at Timberman and Tri West, plus podiums at Olympic Nationals and Ironman 70.3 Madison are the kind of highlights that Matt and Damon are looking for.
CHRISTEL KIPPENHAN, 57, Bemidji - A prolific and successful racer, Christel posted AG records at Timberman Sprint, where she placed 3rd overall in the women's race, Buzz Ryan (4th woman overall) and Maple Grove Olympic (6th woman overall). Her 2nd at Northwoods and 6th at Buffalo Sprint were also fine performances....
Cami, Elena & Vanessa...
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Tuesday, 28 March 2023 00:10
If the MMH Committee decides to name nominees and winners this year, Matt and Damon will favor what they consider three slam-dunk candidates for Most Improved female triathlete. After having studied the resumes of at least a dozen athletes, these are the trio, in alpha order, that they recommend most highly:
CAMI ECKHOFF, 35, Detroit Lakes (photo below) - Runner-up for Rookie of the Year in 2021, Cami's speed and competitiveness improved dramatically this season. Her course record win at Alexandria, and her victory at Young Life Sprint are good example of those things. She placed 2nd overall at both races. Granted, those are not super competitive events, but she threw down the kind of fast times that established amateur elites would be proud of. At Alex, she lowered the women's course record by 4:23.
But it was her 2nd place performance at Square Lake Half that sealed the deal for her. Arguably the most challenging 70.3 in our region, she posted a 4:54:16, and sub-5s are rare on that course. The time bettered her personal best at the distance by 16-minutes....
