USA Triathlon has announced its 2021 Elite, Under-23, Rookie and Junior Triathletes of the Year, presented by Wahoo Fitness. The awards recognize the top elite performers in draft-legal, non-drafting and off-road triathlon competition. Selections were determined by the USA Triathlon Athlete Advisory Council.
Katie Zaferes (Cary, NC) was named the Women’s Olympic/World Triathlon Triathlete of the Year for the fourth time, and Kevin McDowell (Colorado Springs, CO) earned his first-ever Men’s Olympic/World Triathlon Triathlete of the Year honours.
Katie Zaferes, 32, won bronze at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, becoming the third US woman to win an Olympic medal in triathlon, joining Gwen Jorgensen (gold, 2016 Rio) and Susan Williams (bronze, 2004 Athens). Zaferes then led off Team USA as the first leg in the Olympic debut of the Mixed Relay event, helping the team earn silver, and her second Olympic medal in Tokyo.
Zaferes capped her season on the draft-legal World Triathlon Championship Series circuit by placing fourth at the World Triathlon Championship Finals. She also finished third overall in the Super League Triathlon Championship Series.
“I am very honored to receive this award considering how many of the USA women had great achievements last year,” Zaferes said. “It’s extra special for me because this year was so challenging.
“I’m proud of being able to regroup and refocus with the assistance of the team of people that surrounds me in order to achieve one of my biggest goals, which was to win a medal at the Olympics.”
Kevin McDowell, 29, made his Olympic debut in Tokyo and showed his Mixed Relay prowess. He recorded the fastest split of the US team that earned the silver medal. In the men’s individual race, McDowell placed sixth, the highest-ever finish for a US male triathlete at the Olympic Games.
“It’s a huge honour to receive this award after so many great performances on the U.S. men’s side, which has been really exciting,” McDowell said.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the entire team behind me, my family, coach Nate Wilson, physio/medical, friends, community, and USA Triathlon. It truly takes a village to do what we do and perform at the highest level. I’m thankful for the one I’ve got.”
The 2021 USA Triathlon Elite, U23 and Junior Triathlete of the Year selections are as follows:
Women’s Olympic/World Triathlon Triathlete of the Year: Katie Zaferes (Cary, NC)
Men’s Olympic/World Triathlon Triathlete of the Year: Kevin McDowell (Colorado Springs, CO)
Women’s Elite Non-Drafting Triathlete of the Year: Taylor Knibb (Boulder, CO
Men’s Elite Non-Drafting Triathlete of the Year: Sam Long (Boulder, CO
Women’s Elite Off-Road Triathlete of the Year: Suzie Snyder (Boulder, CO
Men’s Elite Off-Road Triathlete of the Year: Seth Rider (Germantown, TN)
Women’s Rookie of the Year: Maddie Lavin (Vermillion, SD)
Men’s Rookie of the Year: John Reed (Virginia Beach. VA)
Women’s U23 Triathlete of the Year: Grace Walther (Indianapolis, IN)
Men’s U23 Triathlete of the Year: Chase McQueen (Columbus, IN)
Women’s Junior Triathlete of the Year: Naomi Ruff (West Chicago, IL)
Men’s Junior Triathlete of the Year: Drew Shellenberger (Indianapolis, IN)
