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2015 Most Improved - The Women...

Wednesday, 28 October 2015 01:10

Minnesota Multisport Awards - Using the formula discussed in yesterday's post about the male "MOST IMPROVED" candidates, here are the nominees in the that category for the women:

GABY BUNTEN, 23, White Bear Lake (photo L) - Ranked 11th or 12th on most of the Selectors' Team Minnesota lists last year, Gaby raced well enough in '15 to become a Team Minnesota shoo-in. Knocking eight minutes off her Olympic distance PR over the last three seasons, in 2015 she won three Olympic races and podiumed in her AG at both Nationals and Worlds.

SHEENA DAUER, 33, Montevideo - Sheena was the BIG surprise on the women's scene this year. While not exactly off the radar in 2014, this year, starting with ...

her 3rd at Apple against the deepest du field in the US this year, she turned heads. Her resume included three wins and a stunning performance at IMOO, where she lowered her PR from 11:37:36 (IMOO '14) to 10:40:41, which was good for 7th overall. She wasn't ranked in the women's Top 20 last year.

LISA LENDWAY, 34, St. Paul (photo R) - Despite a mid-season knee injury, Lisa was brilliant in 2015, winning three races and reaching the podium in four other events. She excelled in duathlon (DOY nominee), sprint and Olympic tri, and her long distance debut at Toughman Florida produced a victory by a 30-minute margin. Like Gaby, she was ranked in the 11th-12th range last year.

CHRISTINA ROBERTS, 29, St. Louis Park - Christina excelled against the best women in our state this year, as her wins and fast times at Heart of the Lakes and YWCA clearly demonstrated. Her 2nds at Minneapolis, Maple Grove and Lake Minnetonka were similarly impressive. Christina was ranked 9th on Team Minnesota last year.

Narrowly missing a nomination, to the chagrin of several Selectors, was BRIDGET MCCOY. Other women who demonstrated serious improvement and were discussed in this category included, in alpha order: JACQUELYN BACIGALUPI,ANNE GRABOWSKI and JESS ROSSING.