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2016 Slam Dunks...

Monday, 14 November 2016 23:10

The MMAs were awarded last Sunday. Some of the picks were "Slam Dunks," i.e. clear winners, ones that wouldn't generate much of an argument. Some were controversial. The rest were somewhere in between those designations.

SLAM DUNKS - Duathlete of the Year, Rookie, Grand Master, Female Master, Female Triathlete of the Year

CONTROVERSIAL - Male Master, Male Performance of the Year, Long Course Athlete of the Year, Female Performance of the Year, Male and Female Team Minnesota....

IN BETWEEN - Junior of the Year, Male Most Improved, Female Most Improved

Let's talk about some of the Slam Dunks.

DUATHLETE OF THE YEAR - MATTHEW PAYNE - The two-time US DOY won the two most competitve dus in Minnesota--Apple and Gear West--and placed 3rd @ Du Nationals. Wade Cruser also had two wins and a 3rd, but was beaten by Payne at Apple. The two women who were nominated--Dani V and Suzie Fox only raced in two dus each. Matt was the clear choice.

COMMENT: With Du Nationals relocating to Bend, Oregon in 2016, Selectors changed the eligibility requirements from needing three outstanding r-b-r efforts to two. (The presence of Nationals in Minnesota resulted in athletes, in general, adding 1 or more dus to their resume.) Dedicated duathlete Jenn Scudiero did six races in '16, including two wins. She also won her AG in a 7th place finish at Nationals. In hindsight, a great argument could be made for adding her as a 5th nominee in this category.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - HANNA GRINAKER - With four wins (two CRs), three 2nds, a 4th and the tippy-top spot on Team Minnesota, Hanna was arguably Minnesota's most successful rookie in the eighteen years that the MMAs have been in existence. Her jaw-dropping performance at Lake Waconia earned the POY award.

TOMORROW - Mitchell Clayton talks about winning the Junior of the Year award. It's a terrific post by a fine young man. On Thursday, we will deal with the rest of the Slam Dunks.