(Photos: Top - Kortney. Middle - Pam & Brook. Bottom - Greta.
The Minnesota Multisport Awards Selection Committee announces its nominees for 2009 Minnesota Female "Most Improved."
*KORTNEY HAAG, 30, New Hope - Kortney raced 11 times in '09, winning four times, placing 2nd at the ultra-competitive Heart of the Lakes Triathlon and taking 3rd in her half IM debut at Chisago, where she posted a remarkable 4:25:54. She finished 4th at Life Time Fitness Elite behind three women--Cathy Yndestad, Lindsay Whalen and Mandy McLane--who are likely nominees for USAT Athlete of the Year.
* BROOK MUTZENBERGER, 29, Eden Prairie - Brook cracked the women's Top 10 in only two races in 2008. This year she finished in the Top 5 on five occasions, including a big win at Lake Waconia Elite, where she earned the right to represent Minnesota at the Best of the US Championship, and a 3rd at Turtleman.
* PAM NIELSEN, 33, Minnetonka - Pam has come a long way since 2008, when she almost earned a Rookie of the Year nomination. Her podium finishes this season at Minneman and Liberty Half, plus her 8th (amateur) at Ironman Wisconsin were the highlights of her '09 scorecard.
* GRETA SIMPSON, 28, Minneapolis - Simpson was totally off the radar in 2008. This season she raced in eight multis, reaching the podium six times, including three victories--New Bri, Silver Lake Sprint (WI) and Cannon-Wells Duathlon. Her best effort, however, may have been her 2nd (behind Kortney Haag) at St. Croix Valley Olympic.
Those receiving "Most Improved" nominations are those whom the committee perceive to be the fastest rising stars on the Minnesota multi scene. Other athletes considered in this category include Shelley Nelson (3o, St. Louis Park), Angel Hohenstein (29, Duluth), Brooke Larsen (30, Northfield), Katherine Schlaefer (31, St. Paul), Christel Kippenhan (44, Bemidji), Tara Makinen (29, Duluth), Cindy Blackstock (36, Plymouth) and Ann Snuggerud (42, Chaska).
The Minnesota Multisport Awards will be presented Academy Awards-style at Tri-Night '09 at St. Paul College on November 7. Will you be there? We hope so.
