(St. Paul, MN – 11/15/2008) –– Duluth’s Brian Bich picked up his seventh and eighth “Emmas” (Minnesota Multisport Awards) at the 10th annual Minnesota Multisport Awards at St. Paul College on November 15. Bich, 42, was named Minnesota Triathlete of the Year for the fourth time (2008, 2007, 2006, 2003), and Master of the Year for the 3rd time (2008, 2007, 2006). He is also a former winner (2003) of the Performance of the Year. On the national tri scene, Bich has twice been named Honorable Mention USAT Master of the Year and is a finalist for this year’s USAT Master of the Year award. The 2008 USAT award winners will be announced in early December.
Apple Valley’s Cathy Yndestad was named Minnesota Triathlete of the Year for the 2nd year in a row. She earned USAT Athlete of the Year Honorable Mention status last year and is a shoo-in to do so again this year. Cathy also won this year’s Performance of the Year Award (2nd place overall at the USAT National Age Group Championships) bringing her career Emma total to six.
Another Minnesotan who should also receive national recognition is Marlo Crosby, who won her 3rd consecutive Minnesota Duathlete of the Year award on November 15. Marlo should be named USAT Duathlete of the Year Honorable Mention next month.
Proctor, Minnesota’s Jeanne Fleck, 43, was the only other multiple winner at this year’s MMAs, garnering the Most Improved Female and Female Master of the Year trophies.
First-time Emma winners were Kortney Haag (Rookie of the Year) of New Hope, Hank Larsen, 68, (Grand Master of the Year) of Glencoe, Sam Hauck (Most Improved Male) of Shoreview, and Dan Arlandson (Performance of the Year) from Mendota Heights.
Maple Grove’s Michael Williams, who turned 20 at season’s end, picked up his 3rd consecutive Junior of the Year award.
And the winners are:
* MALE TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Brian Bich, 42, Duluth
* FEMALE TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Cathy Yndestad, 30, Apple Valley
* JUNIOR OF THE YEAR: Michael Williams, 19, Maple Grove
* ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (Coed): Kortney Haag, 29, New Hope
* MALE MASTER OF THE YEAR: Brian Bich, 42, Duluth
* FEMALE MASTER OF THE YEAR: Jeanne Fleck, 43, Proctor
* GRAND MASTER OF THE YEAR (Coed): Hank Larsen, 68, Glencoe
* DUATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Marlo McGaver, 38, Duluth
* MOST IMPROVED MALE: Sam Hauck, 24, Shoreview
* MOST IMPROVED FEMALE: Jeanne Fleck, 43, Proctor
* MALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: Dan Arlandson, 32, Mendota Heights
Dominating Victory at Full Vineman
* FEMALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: Cathy Yndestad, 30, Apple Valley
2nd overall at USAT National Championships
* THORPE RUNNING INSPIRATION AWARD: Jeremy Sartain, 34, St. Paul
* TRIATHLETES CHOICE FAVORITE RACE OF THE YEAR: Minneman
| TEAM MINNESOTA – MEN | TEAM MINNESOTA – WOMEN |
| Dan Arlandson, 32, Mendota Heights | * Michelle Andres, 32, East Gull Lake |
| Dan Cohen, 34, Eden Prairie | * Jeanne Fleck, 43, Proctor |
| Dennis Dane, 29, Brooklyn Center | * Jan Guenther, 49, Mound |
| Sam Hauck, 24, Shoreview | * Kortney Hagg, 29, New Hope |
| Brett Lovaas, 34, Minnetonka | * Julie Hull, 36, Farmington |
| Devon Palmer, 22, St. Paul | * Kate McCann, 24, Andover |
| John Shelp, 36, Maple Plain | * Marlo McGaver, 38, Duluth |
| Curt Wood, 30, Chaska | * Marlina Walth, 38, Bismarck, ND |
| Co-Captains: David Thompson, 30, St. Paul | * Becky Youngberg, 34, Eden Prairie |
| Brian Bich, 42, Duluth | * Captain: Cathy Yndestad, 30, Apple Valley |
The MMAs are sponsored by the Best of the U.S. Amateur Triathlete Competition (LLC) of Saint Paul, Minnesota.
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