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Athletes of the Month: July 2016...

Wednesday, 03 August 2016 02:10

JULY ATHLETES OF THE MONTH - Another exciting month of multisport racing has just passed and the MMA Committee has selected its AOMs for July 2016. The AOMs are presented by Excelsior Running.

ATHLETES OF THE MONTH - MATTHEW PAYNE & HANNA GRINAKER

Matt was a slam dunk selection. He raced three times, all "major" events--Life Time Tri - Minneapolis, Heart of the Lakes State Championships and Toughman Half--and won them all. The Pain Train hasn't been beaten by a fellow Minnesota amateur since 2012.

Though Hanna had stiff competition from Christina Roberts (CR @t Timberman, 2nd @t HOLT) and Diane Hankee (2nd @ Muncie 70.3, 2nd @ Toughman Sprint), she received unanimous support from the selectors.  In July, she won the Heart of the Lakes State Championships and placed 2nd (1st Minnesotan) at Life Time Tri - MInneapolis....

MASTERS OF THE MONTH - BRIAN BICH & JULIA WEISBECKER

In July, Bich, 50, was the overall winner of Timberman Sprint and place 9th (2nd master behind Kevin O'Connor, 45, and 1st 50+) at Heart of the Lakes State Champs.

While Bich was the clear choice for male masters, Julia had stiff competition for the MOM from Andrea Myers, who placed 2nd overall at Timberman (Masters CR) and 4th overall (1st Master) at Heart of the Lakes. Julia's July resume featured a 6th (1st Master) at Life Time Tri - Minneapolis and a 3rd (1st Master) at Toughman Sprint. Because Julia is 50, her results benefitted from a VERY conservative (.5%/yr starting at age 41) age grading formula.

GRAND MASTER OF THE MONTH - PAM STEVENS (photo R)

Pammy won her AG at Timberman and Heart of the Lakes.

JUNIOR OF THE MONTH - NICK KLONNE (top photo)

Awesome performances on the same weekend gave Nick the edge over Mitchell Clayton. On July 8, Nick, 19, was the top AG finisher / 1st Junior / 7th overall at Life Time Tri - Minneapolis. The next day he placed 2nd overall at Graniteman-Clearwater Sprint, finishing less than a second behind winner Casey Miller. In the process, Klonne, Minnesota's 2015 Junior of the Year, torched G-Man's 19U course record.

ED. To be eligible for AOM consideration, athletes must turn in at least two outstanding performances during the month in question.