USA Triathlon has announced its 2021 Age Group Triathletes of the Year presented by Wahoo Fitness, as selected by USA Triathlon’s Age Group Committee.
Headlining the honourees are Minori Minagawa (Dublin, Ohio) and Dougin Walker (Tampa, Florida), who were named Women’s and Men’s Overall Age Group Triathletes of the Year, respectively.
The 2021 season was a welcomed return to racing for multisport athletes across the United States, and Minagawa and Walker turned in impressive seasons to earn the Overall Age Group Triathletes of the Year honours.
Minori Minagawa, 27, won her age group in both the Olympic- and Sprint-Distance National Championships at the 2021 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships held in Milwaukee. To cap her 2021 season, she earned the overall women’s amateur champion title at the Challenge Miami race. She is coached by Jarrod Evans and is a member of Triathlon Gold.
“I’m honoured to have been selected,” said Minagawa, whose 2022 goal is to compete in her first race in the pro field after earning her elite license card in 2021.
“The season was by no means perfect, but it was definitely a year to remember. I know that I couldn’t have done it without the people who helped me get to where I am today.
“I have a long way to go, but I’m excited to see what my first year as a pro triathlete will bring. I love the incredible community that triathlon brings. I’ve been fortunate to have friends and mentors from all backgrounds who continue to support me on this journey.”
Dougin Walker’s 2021 season also earned him Masters Triathlete of the Year honours, as the 56-year-old raced to podium spots in the Olympic- and Sprint-distance National Championships at USAT’s Age Group National Championships.
In IRONMAN races, Walker won his age group at IRONMAN Indiana, took second at IRONMAN Chattanooga, placed fourth at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships and won his age group at IRONMAN 70.3 Florida. He is coached by Max Shute and is a member of the Kennedy Law Racing team.
“It never occurred to me that my results were good enough to get an award of this type,” said Walker, who has been a triathlete for more than 30 years.
“I also feel very lucky, as lots of things have worked out well for me in the racing world over the last year and a half.
“When I started triathlon in 1987, I loved the fact that it was something different and kind of crazy. I’ve grown to appreciate how positive and supportive a vast majority of the people in the sport are, even most of those who are fiercely competitive.”
Ginger Reiner (Lincoln, MA) earned the Women’s Masters Triathlete of the Year honours as she won the Masters titles in both the Olympic- and Sprint-Distance National Championships at Age Group National Championships. Reiner is coached by Karen Smyers and is a member of Team Psycho.
“I’m honoured to be selected. There are so many speedy 40-plus women,” said Reiner, 44.
The 2021 USA Triathlon Age Group Triathletes of the Year and honourable mention selections are as follows:
Women’s Overall Age Group Triathlete of the Year: Minori Minagawa (Dublin, OH)
Honorable Mentions: Meghan Fillnow, Bridget Foote, Becca Kawaoka, Michelle Stratton, Annamarie Strehlow
Men’s Overall Age Group Triathlete of the Year: Dougin Walker (Tampa, FL)
Honorable Mentions: Todd Buckingham, Klodian Mitri, Brian Reynolds, Benjamin Stone, Mike Wien
Women’s Masters Age Group Triathlete of the Year: Ginger Reiner (Lincoln, MA)
Honorable Mentions: Caitlin Drap, Jessica Holmes, Deanna Newman, Idalmis Pedrero, Cathy Yndestad
Men’s Masters Age Group Triathlete of the Year: Dougin Walker (Tampa, FL)
Honorable Mentions: James Hallberg, James Harrington, Tim Hola, Daniel Stubleski, Peter Valentyik
Women’s Grand Masters Age Group Triathlete of the Year: Donna Smyers (Adamant, VT)
Honorable Mentions: Colleen De Reuck, Kathy Grady, Juliana Nievergelt, Susan Pierson
Men’s Grand Masters Age Group Triathlete of the Year: Greg Taylor (Yankton, SD)
Honorable Mentions: James Aust, Philip Friedman, Kim Norman, Kyle Welch
Celeste Callahan Women’s Great Grand Masters Age Group Triathlete of the Year: Carol Gephart (Hamilton, MI)
Honorable Mentions: Lorrie Beck, Barbara Matheson, Cande Olsen, Laura Sopheia
Men’s Great Grand Masters Age Group Triathlete of the Year: Mike Wien (Boulder, CO)
Honorable Mentions: Michael Orendorff, Robert Plant, Jim Sumara, John Towart
Women’s Junior Age Group Triathlete of the Year: Alexandra Poole (Durham, NC)
Honorable Mention: Freya McKinley
Men’s Junior Age Group Triathlete of the Year: Kyle Swenson (Rogers, MN)
Honorable Mention: Braxton Bokos
