USA Triathlon
March 25, 2009 (Colorado Springs, CO) – USA Triathlon has announced the recipients of the 2008 Age Group Athletes of the Year awards, as selected by the USAT Age Group Committee and Duathlon Committee. Included in the list are 18 awards for triathletes and duathletes across multiple categories for men and women, including overall, masters, grandmasters, ParaTriathlon, and juniors.
Boulder’s Brooke Davison, 37, was named Female Age Group Triathlete of the Year. Davison capped a stellar racing season by finishing as the top amateur at the USAT Age Group Nationals and at the Ford IRONMAN Clearwater 70.3. Locally, she swept the Boulder Triathlon Series, including first overall at the 5430 Sprint Triathlon and first overall amateur at the Boulder Peak and 5430 Long Course Triathlons.
“In receiving this award, I am humbled and honored to be named Female Age Group Athlete of the Year,” Davison remarked. “The field of age group women in 2008 was nothing short of incredible and helped push me to achieve my best. At each and every race, I felt honored to be among such incredible women racing in a sport that we all so thoroughly enjoy. I am so grateful to my entire family, my coach, and my community for helping support me along the way to achieving this award. Thank you, USAT!”
Former stand-out runner Ellen Hart, 50, of Denver was named Female Masters Triathlete of the Year. Highlights from her season include first place finishes in her age group at the Boulder Peak Triathlon, the 5430 Long Course Triathlon, and at the World 70.3 Championships.
“I am surprised, excited, and immensely honored by this recognition,” said Hart. “Relatively new to triathlon, I have come to love the sport for its challenges and variety. I am grateful to USAT, not just for the award, but more so for the incredible opportunities the organization provides for age-group athletes to compete, grow and excel. I am grateful for good health, great fellow triathletes that push me to be better, and my sweetie and family who support me in all this fun.”
Sandy Dukat, 36, of Denver was named ParaTriathlete of the year. Dukat, an above the knee amputee, finished first in her division at the ParaTriathlon National Championships, as well as at the ITU World Championships.
The awards are sponsored by Garmin International. In addition to sponsoring USAT’s Athletes of the Year program, Garmin supports the USAT Trade Team and Coaching Education Program with their renowned GPS-based training and mapping tools.
Age Group Triathlete of the Year
Brooke Davison, 37, Boulder, CO
2008 Accomplishments
1st Elite Amateur St. Anthony’s Triathlon
1st Overall Tri for Your Cause Boulder
1st Amateur Boise 70.3
1st Overall 5430 Boulder Sprint
1st Overall Loveland Lake to Lake
1st Amateur Boulder Peak Triathlon
1st Amateur 5430 Boulder Long Course
1st Elite Amateur, Los Angeles Triathlon
1st Amateur Age Group Nationals
1st Elite Amateur, Toyota US Open
1st Amateur Ford IRONMAN Clearwater 70.3
Masters Triathlete of the Year
Ellen Hart, 50, Denver, CO
2008 Accomplishments
2nd in age group, 6th overall master Cross Country National Championships
1st Master, 1st Grand Master, course record by 6 minutes St. Anthony’s Triathlon
7th ITU Age Group World Championships
7th overall female 1st in age group, 5430 Sprint Triathlon
1st and course record by 29 minutes Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3 Triathlon
1st Boulder Peak Triathlon
1st 5430 Long Course Triathlon
4th USAT National Championships
3rd World IRONMAN Championships
1st World 70.3 IRONMAN Championships
ParaTriathlete of the Year
Sandy Dukat, 36, Denver, CO
2008 Accomplishments
1st Above Knee – ParaTriathlon Triathlon National Championships
1st Above Knee – ITU World Championships
