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2016 Nominees: Grand Master of the Year...

Tuesday, 20 September 2016 23:10

2016 MINNESOTA MULTISPORT AWARDS - It's that time of year again: Time to announce the MMA nominees. To be eligible for consideration, athletes need a minimum of three "outstanding" efforts during the season in question, though MMA Selectors prefer that considerees have four or more such performances.

Next, by "outstanding" we mean that performances need to approach, match or exceed the highest standards set at the races in question. Also, athletes are measured against those that have historically set the highest performance standards. In the category we're highlighting today--GRAND MASTER OF THE YEAR--athletes are measured next to past GMOYs, like Greg Taylor, Ben Ewers, Pam Stevens and Neil KIng.

We use USAT's definition of Grand Masters, i.e. Men 60+ and women 55+. ...

The 2016 Grand Master of the Year nominees are (in alpha order):

- JAN GUENTHER, 57, Mound - 1st GMOY nomination (Winner of 14 MMAs - Photo R)

2016 Highlights:

- 4th overall / 1st Master @ Lake Minnetonka

- 4th overall @ Liberty - 5:07:47 - 55-59W CR

- 7th overall @ Gear West Du - 55-59W CR

- 8th overall @ Toughman Minnesota - 5:06:31 - 55-59W CR

- 55-59 CR @ Ironman Wisconsin - 11:18:28 (Jan now holds three divisional records at IMOO.)

- LEONARD KLUN, 62, Maple Plain (1st nomination - Photo L)

2016 Highlights:

- 1st 50+ @ Maple Grove Sprint - 60-64M CR

- 1st 55+ @ Green Lake Sprint - 60-64M CR

- 1st AG @ Buffalo Sprint - 60-64M CR

- 1st AG @ Gear West Duathlon - 60-64 CR

- 1st AG @ Heart of the Lakes

- PAM STEVENS, 63, Sartell - (2013 & 2010 GMOY - Photo Below)

2016 Highlights:

 - AG Wins @ Liberty Olympic (60-64W CR), Lake Waconia, Timberman (15th overall woman), Heart of the Lakes, Apple, Lakes Country & Harvest Duathlon

- 2nd AG / 5th overall @ Chain of Lakes

- SHERI SCHROCK, 62, Cohasset (2nd GMOY nomination- TOP PHOTO)

2016 Highlights:

- 4th overall / 1st AG @ Chain of Lakes

- AG Wins @ Gear West Du (60-64W CR), Falls Du (60-64W CR)

- 2nd AG @ Apple Duathlon

- 2nd AG @ ITU Long Distance Worlds

Almost a dozen other athletes received serious consideration, including NEIL KING, 67, of Nevis, STEPHEN PENKHUS, 70, of Mankato, and BETH HASSLER, 60, Andover.

The 2016 Minnesota Multisport Awards will be presented on November 12 at Gear West Bike and Triathlon in Long Lake. Additional information will be posted soon.