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Aging Gracefully....

Tuesday, 08 October 2013 03:10

(Photo L - Three-time Grand Master of the Year nominee Neil King.)

Minnesota Multisport Awards - This year's Grand Master of the Year nominees were difficult to determine. By and large, no one, with one exception, truly dominated their AG, which in this case were those in the 60+ range for men and 55+ range for women.

After much debate, some of which flirted with acrimony (not really!), here are the official nominees and their 2013 highlights:

NEIL KING (64, Nevis)

1st AG @ Life Time Tri - Minneapolis

1st AG / 2nd Master / 6th overall @ Lakes to Pines

1st AG/ 13th overall @ Vistancia Sprint (AZ)...

2nd AG @ Omegawave Triathlon (San Diego)

7th AG @ USAT Nationals

HANK LARSEN (73, Glencoe - photo L)

1st AG @ Oakdale Duathlon (Div. CR)

1st AG @ Lake Waconia (Beat 65-69 men)

1st AG @ Fall Classic Duathlon (Div. CR)

3rd AG / 1st MN @ Apple Duathlon Worlds Qualifier

KENT SCHWITZER (60, Minnetonka - 1st nomination)

1st AG @ Chisago Half

1st AG @ Heart of the Lakes

1st AG @ LIberty Olympic - Div. Course Record

PAM STEVENS (60, Sartell -photo R)

1st AG / 6th overall @ Chain of Lakes (Div. CR)

1st AG @ Oakdale Duathlon (Div. CR)

1st AG @ Apple Duathlon Worlds Qualifier (Div. CR)

1st AG @ Lake Waconia (Div. CR)

1st AG @ Heart of the Lakes (Div. CR)

2nd AG / 1st US @ Ottawa Duathlon World Championships

Also reciveiving support from one or more Committee member were Mike Colaizy (63, Osceola, WI) and Beth Guck (57, Andover).

Other Grand Masters whose resumes were reviewed, included (alpha order): Denning Ellingson, Mike Flynn, Helen Gunther, Mark Hagen, Jan Handlos, Brook Lemm-Tabor, Carol Markham-Cousins, Patrick McMorrow, Duane Millslagle, Michel Sanders, Judy Ryyken, Deb Roberts, Daryl Stevens, Lisa Wheeler, Mark Winholz.

NOTE: The MMA Selectors work with the actual age of the potential nominees, not their "USAT" age. This affected athletes like Bill Schmitt, 59, and Robin Tedlund, 54, both of Duluth, who "won" the 60-64 and 55-59 divisions, respectively, in several USAT sanctioned events.