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National Honors...

Saturday, 08 December 2012 01:10

(Photo - Patrick Parish is a strong candidate for 2012 US Duathlete of the Year.)

By Doug Deeply

Next Wednesday, USAT's AOY (Athlete of the Year) Selection Committee will examine the competitive credentials of nearly 100 American mutisport athletes. In the days thereafter the members will submit the names of those they believe should be the 2012 award winners and Honorable Mentions. Those men and women receiving the most support in each category will be named Athlete of the Year, Master of the Year, Grand Master of the Year, Junior of the Year, Duathlete of the Year and Paralympic AOY. The next 3-10 * athletes receiving the most votes in each category will be named HMs.

We are not permitted to post the names of all of those who are in contention for awards and HMs here, nor can we post the names of the ultimate winners until after USAT has done so first. We will, however, reveal that five Minnesotans are among those who will...

be considered in various categories. They are: Dan Hedgecock, Patrick Parish, Ruth Brennan Morrey, Cathy Yndestad and Suzie Fox. Also considered is former Mankato resident Greg Taylor, who now lives in Yankton, SD and has raced on the right side of the SD/MN border often enough last season to be nominated for an MMA (Master of the Year), which he won.

How will these great athletes fare? Let's speculate.

Dan Hedgecock (Category: US Athlete of the Year) - In our opinion, Dan is one of the top 2 candidates for male AOY. We think he's a slam dunk for at least an HM.

Patrick Parish (Categories: AOY and DOY) - A long-shot for AOY HM, but one of the faves for DOY. We'd be surprised if he didn't win it.

Ruth Brennan Morrey (Categories: AOY and DOY - photo R) - A serious contender for AOY HM, and, like Patrick, one of the DOY favorites.

Cathy Yndestad (Category: AOY) - The 2009 AOY and two-time AOY HM is a long-shot for an HM. Her chances improve if the Selectors allow more than seven HMs in her category.

Suzie Fox (Category: DOY) - A possible DOY HM. If the Committee allows three or more HMs, Suzie's chances of getting one are very good.

Greg Taylor (Category: MOY) - A MOY HM in 2011, Greg should at least match that this time around.

* The number of HMs per category will be determined during the December 12 conference call, with 3 being the likely minimum and 7-10 the likely maximum. That will be revealed when USAT makes its AOY announcements on usatriathlon.org later this month.