If we are talking age group and only USA Triathlon. The answer is yes.

If not can i get a heck yes for Steve Jackson. Ironman 70.3 Gulf Coast Champ and Ironman Florida Champ and a pretty solid Kona. At least for Florida Triathlete of the year.

He couldn't have won ITU age group worlds in the non-drafting OLY? I think he would have had a chance, hard to go across the world to race when you're a college student

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Instagram: @taggart_vanetten
Full Send Triathlon
Race Blog: https://taggartvanettentriathlon.wordpress.com/

If not Lippert, then Todd Buckingham for short course. Lippert beat him head to head locally but Todd raced and won worlds.

If long course it's got to be Clay Emge, and should be pretty much every year like MJ or Lebron should get the mvp every single year but don't. He's been the first or second overall amateur in every 70.3 and Ironman he's raced in the last 4 years except for Kona where he was 2nd in the 30-34. He's also won overall all the small olympics he's entered in the last few years

Interviewing Steve right now

Impressive. I looked up on obstri. In the last 4 years, 6 IM AG wins plus a 2nd and 7th at Kona (won AG at Kona 2013) (worst time 9:14 (2015 Kona) and won AG at all 6 70.3s (worst time 4:09). These are WTC races only.

Tough call although he's having a stellar year, definitely one of the top amateurs in the US right now.

Love his "full send" mantra.

I would say Justin has had a fantastic year and deserves the title of Best USA Amatuer Triathlete of the year. In regards to the pros and the ITU guys, I don't think we can really compare that...

It’s definitely tricky for USAT to make the decision of Triathlete of the Year, since they are grouping together short and long course.

For short course, it has to be Lippert or Buckingham.
For long course, both Emge and Giuliano had stellar seasons.

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Alex Arman

Strava

I don’t know if everyone raced Nats or only some did IM events but pure optics of it. One guy won 2 national titles in 1 weekend. That’s pretty sick and I don’t mean AG title, I mean overall titles. Pretty badass. Did Todd race nats?

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Yeah, Todd was 3rd OA in the Sprint and 7th OA in the Oly at Nats. And then he went on to OA Worlds in the Sprint or Oly (I forget which) and then won his AG in the other event.

So Todd definitely crushed at worlds, but I think Justin gets the edge since he won twice in the head to head races.

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Alex Arman

Strava

Let's not forget the doubles at US Du Nats. The only to beat him (Todd)... Alex...was you.

Yeah, well, no one cares about duathlon :)

I still vote Lippert for triathlete of the year.

Buckingham for duathlete of the year. He won the DL sprint, 3rd in the Oly, and still solid in the sprint on completely shattered legs. Oh, and 2nd place at the Apple du to former World Champion Baumgartener.

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Alex Arman

Strava

If I had a vote....I vote "#fullsend"