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Parish & Youngberg are June Athletes of the Month...

Saturday, 06 July 2019 23:10

JUNE 2019 ATHLETES OF THE MONTH - PART I - To be eligible, athletes must have turned in at least two outstanding performances during the month in question.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH & MASTER OF THE MONTH

BECKY YOUNGBERG, 44, Eden Prairie

June Highlights:

1st @ Gear West Duathlon

2nd @ Buffalo Olympic - MR

2nd @ Ironman 70.3 Madison - MR

2nd @ Lake Minnetonka Triathlon -MR

AOY Honorable Mention: HANNA GRINAKER (1st @ Buffalo Olympic - CR, 1st @ High Cliff Aquabike), CHRISTINA ROBERTS (1st @ Lake Minnetonka Triathlon, 3rd @ Buffalo Olympic). MOM HM: SARA RONDORF (1st overall @ New Bri, 1st overall @ Graniteman Clearwater Sprint)....

COMMENT: To truly challenge Becky for the AOM, Hanna would have needed a win at High Cliff Half, not the smaller, less competitive aquabike. Interestingly, had Hanna raced the half and thrown down a 1:34 final run (Chisago 2018 - 1:29; Superior Man 2018 - 1:32), admittedly, not an easy task at High Cliff, she would have lowered the women's Minnesota state half IM record.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

PATRICK PARISH, 34, Minneapolis

June Highlights:

1st @ Lake Minnetonka Triathlon

1st @ Gear West Duathlon

2nd @ Trinona Olympic

Honorable Mention: SEAN COOLEY (1st @ Buffalo Olympic, 1st @ High Cliff Half IM - 4:07), BRAIN STORHAUG, 28, Alexandria (1st @ Buffalo Sprint, 1st @ Graniteman Clearwater Sprint)

COMMENT: This was a tough choice. Sean's fast High Cliff performance almost put him over the top, but in the end, Patrick had volume on his side, plus the fact that his times at both LMT and Gear West were very impressive.

MALE PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH

SEAN COOLEY, 34, St. Paul - Victory at High Cliff Half Ironman - 4:07:34 (margin of victory: 10:30!)

COMMENT: Cooley's win was a slam dunk.

FEMALE PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH

HANNA GRINAKER, 31, St. Paul - Course Record win at Buffalo Olympic - 2:06:57 (margin of victory: 5:59!)

COMMENT: A sam dunk selection. Will probably earn a POY nomination at the end of the season.