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Jacob, Josh, Michael & Andy...

Monday, 04 November 2019 23:10

MINNESOTA MULTISPORT HONORS - As we have explained many times before, the "Most Improved" honor is not a "general" award. It instead applies to those who have improved enough to either earn spots on Team MInnesota for the first time, or come close to doing so, or make a significant upward move on the Team. If, for instance, the 9th or 10th ranked athlete from 2018, has raced well enought to be ranked in the Top 5 this year, he or she would receive serious consideration.

Of the four finalists for 2019 MALE MOST IMPROVED honor, two were ranked among the Top 15 men in 2018.

The other two nominees were not on the MI radar last year, one because he he did not race, the other because he was a newcomer to our state and hadn't raced here yet.

Here, in alpha order, are the official nominees: ...

JACOB KEEHAN, 30, Maple Grove 

Jacob, a former runner at UW-Oshkosh and accomplished nordic skier, had Top 5 finishes in three of our state's most competitive races. The only MInnesotans who beat him in those events were recognized elites. He capped his year with an 11th place finish at Ironman Wisconsin (9:33:07)....

JOSH MORK, 36, Lino Lakes (top photo)

Josh was an MI nominee last year, and just missed a spot (11th) on Team Minnesota. He'll rank near the Top this year, thanks to his three big wins, two at the 70.3 distance, and podium finishes at Lake Minnetonka, Minneapolis and Heart of the Lakes.

MICHAEL WEISSENBORN, 34, Minneapolis (photo L)

A Rookie of the Year nominee in 2016, Michael was absent from the scene in 2017 and 2018. He roared back in 2019, his resume featuring a win at Square Lake Sprint, 2nd place finishes at Green Lake Olympic and Minneapolis Sprint, and a 4th at Hopkins.

ANDY ZABEL, 39, Sartell (photo R)

This guys has paid his dues, and his 2019 scorecard richly deserves an MI nod and a spot on Team Minnesota. He won four races last season, his Hopkins W being the most impressive. His 3rd at Chisago in a PR - 4:13:40 was a breakout performance.

Also receiving strong support in this category were SPENCER SYVERTSON (22, Paynesville) and BRIAN STORHAUG (28, Alexcandria).