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Josh, Branden, Ted & Garrett...

Friday, 05 October 2018 23:10

2018 MINNESOTA MULTISPORT HONORS - As we explain every year, "Most Improved" is a confusing award category. It pertains to athletes whose competitive trajectories elevate them to regional elite status or higher, or to those elite athletes who move up significantly within those elite ranks. A person who would not be ranked among the Top 20 in their gender last year, but could now take his or her place in the Top 15 or higher, would be a great candidate, as would a person who was ranked, say, 10th in 2017, but can now be ranked, based on resume, in the Top 5.

Upward mobility within the Top 10 is hard to accomplish, as there is soooo much talent in our state.

So, who are this year's nominees for MOST IMPROVED MALE?

Here they are in alpha order, along with their competitive highlights:

JOSH MORK, 35, Lino Lakes (unranked in 2017) (Photo L)

- 1st @ Graniteman Clearwater

- 2nd @ Lake Waconia

- 3rd @ New Bri

- 14th @ Ironman Wisconsin - 9:44:00 (IM debut)...

BRANDEN SCHEEL, 22, Fargo, ND (unranked in 2017)

- 1st @ Chain of Lakes - Course Record

- 1st @ Try Go Far (ND) - Course Record)

- 1st @ Perham Triathlon - Course Record

- 1st @ Buzz Ryan Sprint - Course Record

- 1st @ YoungLife Sprint - Course Record

- 2nd amateur @ Chattanooga 70.3 - 4:12:51

- 10th @ USAT Sprint Nationals

TED TREISE, 24, Minneapolis (unranked in 2017)

- 1st @ Augusta 70.3 - 4:08:29

- 2nd @ SuperiorMan - 4:13:03

- 5th @ Apple Duathlon

- 5th @ Lake Waconia

- 6 th amateur @ Eagleman 70.3

GARRETT WELSCH, 20, Duluth (Unranked in 2018)

- 1st @ New Bri

- 3rd @ Minneapolis Olympic - 2:02:33

- 4th @ Chisago Sprint

- 6th @ Lake Waconia

Also receiving consideration in this category: JOE ADRIAENS (30, Elk River), JAKE BRAAM (26, Elysian), NIKOLAS PARDOE (21, Minneapolis), SPENCER SYVERTSON (22, Painsville), GARRETT WILLIAMS (21, Minneapolis), ANDY ZABEL (38, Sartell).