Has 2011 really come and gone? It has been an amazing year of performances for the Good Mates and as always it is my privilege and pleasure to announce our Open and Masters Athlete’s of the Year.
This is likely the toughest year ever to select our overall winners. That speaks to the depth and quality of runners on the club. There were many superlatives but ultimately it came down to one singular performance that stood above all others. USA National Championship events are weighted above all others, Association Championships next, designated national caliber events third, all other performances must have occured on a USATF Certified course. Before naming the winners here are some honorable mentions:
Kayte Tranel and Kaci Lickteig both traveled to Houston in January for the USA Half Marathon National Championships. Kayte ran 1:20:05 for 27th and Kaci ran 1:21:45 for 31st. They both followed those performances with fine showings at Lincoln with Kaci taking 2nd in the full in 2:53:44 and Kayte 3rd in the half in 1:21:58. Kaci would travel to Davenport, IA over the summer and run a fine 43:12 to finish in the top 20 overall. *Kaci would leave the team in September and go on to run a 2:44:17 at California International Marathon. Megan Zavorka also gets a tip of the sombrero for her participation at the USA Club T&F Champs where she pr’d in the Steeple in 10:45 and racing the USA Women’s 10 Mile National Champs in Twin Cities in 1:01:42.
Eric Rasmussen also raced the USA Men’s Half Marathon Champs in Houston, finishing 39th in 1:08:30. He would follow that with a 2nd overall at the Lincoln Half in 1:08:50.
Matt Pohren was 3rd at the Lincoln Half in 1:09:40 and would finish 3rd at the USA Club Track & Field National Championships Steeplechase in a pr 9:19.55. He also had a fine race at BIX running 36:46 for 25th overall against an international field and finished 7th at the Omaha Corporate Cup 10K in 32:02. Matt Schneider continued his excellence at the USA Club Champs by taking 2nd overall in the Steeple in a post collegiate pr of 9:12.88 and took 8th at the Corporate Cup in 32:35. Both Matts represented at the USA Club Cross Champs.
The Masters Women’s race was perhaps the tightest with fine performances by Stacy Shaw (1st 45-49 Lincoln Half in 1:31:12, 25:43 at the USA Club Cross Country Champs a couple of weeks ago, and 2nd overall at the Omaha Marathon in a Very Fast 3:03:18), Nataie Jetensky (6th overall Lincoln Marathon 3:15:34, 24:28 at Club Cross Champs, and 3rd overall Omaha Marathon in 3:07:56).
Drum Roll Please!
Open Male AOY:
DAVID ADAMS- While David ran just 2 races for us this year his performances were truly inspiring, superlative, and just a hint of his talent and future in the sport. He made his debut at the Omaha Corporate Cup taking 3rd overall in 30:46. But it was his race earlier this month in Seattle at the Club Cross Champs that garnered him the nod. His 10th Overall in 30:02 is the highest ever Team Nebraska placing in a USA National Championships.
Open Female AOY:
BRIDGET EASLEY- Bridget kicked off her year with a 2nd overall at the Lincoln Half in 1:21:29. She followed that in June with a breakthrough marathon at Grandma’s clocking a new pr of 2:55:58. After taking the Omaha Corporate Cup 10K title in 36:54 she decided to pursue the Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier of 2:46:00. At California International she did just that running 2:44:55 to become the fastest ever Team Nebraska female marathoner.
Masters Male AOY:
KELLY CRAWFORD- Kelly’s year was up and down but his heart was on the line when it counted the most. He ran the USA Masters Half Marathon National Championships in Melbourne , FL in February, finishing 10th in the 45-49 in 1:37:33. As has been reported, he also toed the start line at the USA Club Cross Champs and fought gamely for 8K of the 10K before collapsing with a 2nd degree tear to the gastroc, and as it turns out a double stress fracture of the fibula.
Masters Female AOY:
LINDA BARNHART- Linda has now matched the seemingly untouchable record of Ann Ringlein by becoming a 4 time Team Nebraska Masters AOY. She kicked off 2011 in Albuquerque, NM at the USA Masters Indoor T&F National Championships taking 4th in the 400 in 1:10.39 ( just moments after deplaning) and then medaling in both the 800 (Bronze, 2:41.410) and the Mile (Silver, 6:06.46). In May she took 3rd o/a master at the Lincoln Half in 1:33:39. Over the summer she had the experience of a lifetime finishing 2nd overall master to Joan Benoit Samuelson at BIX in a sterling 50:46. Linda wound up her competitive year at the USA Club Cross Champs running 25:42.
Contributor of the year:
Tom Whitaker and the Omaha Run Club. Tom came out and volunteered his time and expertise throughout the year timing and resulting all of our Team Nebraska races. His selflessness and support for the vision of the club-and the entire Nebraska running community- earns him High Praise and Heart Felt appreciation. Thank you Tom!
Congratulations to all of the fine athletes on Team Nebraska for their accomplishments this past year. While there were many great races and efforts and prs, the fact that you wear the Red & White is an inspiration to us one and all!
And makes me one proud poppa.
About Author
