by Troy Hendricks
August brought the last 3 races for points that count towards the Season Rankings in the Midwest Paddle League. The top 5 racers qualify for an award. Points are earned by racing, you need to participate in 2 races in a particular division to be ranked. There is a maximum of 5 races for scoring, which is your top 5 races. Each race is 1000 points for first and a decreasing amount of points for subsequent places in each race category. The six race divisions are 14' SUP Male and Female, Shor distance (~5k) and Long distance (~10k) divisions, also 12'6" SUP Short distance Male and Female. The final award any racer can win regardless of where they finish is the Waterman Award. Simply participate in a race in FOUR states- Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana to obtain the award.
Consistency, and lots of it, is the name of the game in the season rankings. All 10 of the top Male and female long-distance SUP winners raced in at least 5 races. The long-distance races were also dominated by two winners who obtained a perfect score. Congratulations to Danielle and Dan. The short distance was also dominated by 6 people who participated in at least 5 races. But that means that there is plenty of room at the top of the short distance for people who participate in more races next summer!
The women's short distance 14' division came down to the wire with Elizabeth beating Ana by seconds to take first in the last race, Sky An Oar, and overall season rankings. Both women along with Jill, podiumed in the last points race to secure their spot in the season rankings. In the men's short distance, Rob Wilkinson podiumed at Sky an Oar to jump into the top 5 rankings. Interestingly Rob, Troy, and Elizabeth were ranked in both the Short and Long Distance rankings. There were 10 people who earned the Waterman Award for SUP racing.
Who will win MWPL
Male/Female Rookie of the Year and
Male/Female Paddler of the Year?
Come find out on Saturday, September 9 after the Rubber Ducky Regatta. There will be an after-race party and a Season Awards Celebration.
The Final Season Rankings
Long Distance Women's SUP 14'
Danielle Holdsworth (5) 5000 pts
Kattie Carpenter (5) 4400 pts
Kirsten Marina Lefeldt (5) 4280 pts
Julie Miller (5) 3920 pts
Kathy McRae (5) 3920 pts
Long Distance Men's SUP 14'
Dan Novak (5) 5000 pts
Joe Bechtold (5) 4020 pts
Karl Euster (5) 3600 pts
Alex Sandler 2760 pts
Vlad Vetrov 2380 pts
Short Distance Women's SUP 14'
Elizabeth Duke (5) 4660 pts
Ana Ebright (5) 4400 pts
Jill Bloemendaal (5) 3360 pts
Cheryl Perlis 2000 pts
Rebecca Trapp 1960 pts
Short Distance Men's SUP 14'
Patrick Reeg (5) 4200 pts
Troy Hendricks (5) 2869 pts
Rob Wilkinson 2560 pts
Ryan Bryker 2060 pts
Adam Rivera 2000 pts
Short Distance Women's SUP 12'6" & under
Laura Kinne (5) 4540 pts
Catlin Cowan 1280 pts
Amy Gowans 1040 pts
Amanda Sleeper 1000 pts
Short Distance Men's SUP 12'6" & under
Aaron Lugo 2000 pts
Waterman Award Winners
Kirsten Marina Lefeldt
Kathy McRae
Joe Bechtold
Karl Eugster
Elizabeth Duke
Ana Ebright
Patrick Reeg
