(Photos from top: Jeanne, Jan, Kortney, Heidi & Cathy.)
The Minnesota Multisport Awards Selection Committee announces its nominees for 2009 Minnesota Female Triathlete of the Year.
*JEANNE FLECK, 44, Proctor - Two wins, a 2nd at Manitou and a 3rd at Heart of the Lakes were Jeanne's 2009 tri-highlights.
* JAN GUENTHER, 50, Mound - Fifty-years-old and still winning, which she did twice--Lake Minnetonka and Ironman Wisconsin--this season. A podium effort at Lake Waconia Elite, a 4th at Heart of the Lakes and a 4:36! at Chisago Half have us believing that Jan is the fastest 50+ female triathlete in America.
* KORTNEY HAAG, 30, New Hope - Kortney won four races this season, at least one of which is Performance of the Year-worthy (Pigman Half). Her 2nd at Heart of the Lakes and 4th at Life Time Fitness Elite were nearly as impressive as her victories.
* HEIDI KELLER-MILER, 44, Chaska - Two big wins--Minneman and Brewhouse--as well as podium performances in three other races earned Heidi this nomination.
* CATHY YNDESTAD, 31, Apple Valley --Seven victories in 10 starts, plus winning the 30-34W national crown for the 2nd straight year highlight another stellar season for the 2008 US AOY runner-up. A win in Dallas on Sunday should mean that she doesn't have to settle for runner-up status this year.
Other athletes receiving "TOY" consideration were Brook Mutzenberger (29, Eden Prairie), Julie Hull (37, Farmington) and Marnie Walth (40, Bismarck, ND).
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.
