Features

Slam Dunk Selections...

Tuesday, 12 November 2013 02:10

(Photo L- Triathlete of the Year and Most Improved award winner, Heather Lendway.)

Most Improved Award - Like the slam-dunk selection of Pam Stevens as Minnesota's 2013 Grand Master of the Year, the MMA Selectors believed that naming Heather Lendway and Brian Sames (photo on page 2), last year's premier rookies, this year's Most Improved winners was a no-brainer. Because one's position on Team Minnesota is central to the determination, the fact that neither Sames, nor Lendway were on the Team in 2012, but earned prominent spots--Lendway ranked #2, Sames, #9--this year, sealed the deal. FYI, Sames was the...

only male MI nominee to make the team, while Brendon O'Flanagan, Thad Ingersoll and Ross Weinzierl were ranked in the 12th throught 18th range. Three of the female MI nominees earned Team Minnesota spots, with Lendway ranking highest (#2), followed by Diane Hankee (#5) and Jenn Scudiero (#8).

Triathlete of the Year - Most will agree that Heather Lendway and Matthew Payne were the obvious choices for the TOY trophies. Lendway's outright victory at USAT AG Nationals, a first for a Minnesota triathlete (she did so in the fastest women's time in the 22-year history of Nationals), was supported by seven other wins, including her long distance debut at Leadman Bend. Few would argue that she is the fastest female amateur in the US at sprint and Olympic distances right now.

Payne's resume featured five wins, two of which were halves. His 1:52:54 at the Best of the US Championships was the 3rd fastest Olympic time by a US male in 2013.

Lendway appears to be a shoo-in for US Athlete of the Year Honorable Mention. Payne is also being considered for this honor.

Photo L - Matt Payne and pacified son, Mikey.