Some of the best of the best from the last 11.5 months. Selections based on all Nebraska performances regardless of kit.
Male Athlete of the Year- Pete Kostelnick. I mean c’mon. Transcontinental WR and new record at Badwater. Pete’s got new digs down in Hannibal Missouri but his legacy in Nebraska will live on and on and on and on.
Female Athlete of the Year- Kaci Lickteig. Western States champion would have done it but Kaci pretty much destroyed every women’s CR and more than a few overall wins.
Male Race of the Year- Good Life Halfsy. I would have loved to been lead bike for the battle between Al Sanabria and Luka Thor.
Female Race of the Year- Jessica Tebo runs a blazing 16:48* at Bryan Health Captiol City Classic 5K. The fastest 5K since Suzanne Weeder-Einspahr back in the early oughts.
Male Rookie of the Year- Grant Wintheiser. Yes he did debut Living History in ’15 but made his mark with a full year’s racing. In February Grant went through 5K in 15:06 en route to his 24:12 8K. The fastest 5K* of the spring and fastest 8K* of the year on Nebraska soil. Grant would follow up at the Shamrock Shuffle 8K in Chicago, finishing 4th against a national class field in 23:55, USATF Certified and Sanctioned. In May he would chase the Kenyan fella for 13 miles and was a volunteer away from 2nd overall in the Lincoln Half, on pace for a 1:06 debut when he sailed right past the final right hand turn. In October Grant would run the fastest USATF Certified 5K in state history with 14:38 at Omaha’s Race for the Cure. Did I mention Grant is a full time medical student?
Female Rookie of the Year- Jessica Tebo. Only one race but this new Nebraskan is just getting started.
- Grant’s February 5K and 8K not on USATF Certified and Sanctioned course. Jessica’s 5K at CCC not USATF Certified or Sanctioned. Neither mark eligible for Nebraska records.
The Two Rivers 5K and 10K course certification paperwork should be on its way back to me any day. I’m also sanctioning the 2017 Winter Series. Any and all performances achieved on the fastest 5K and 10K road course in Nebraska will be record eligible and worthy of hanging your personal record hat on.
About Author
