Selected by the USA Triathlon Age Group Committee, Stockwell was given the award for a second year in a row following victory in the TRI-2 discipline at the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Beijing last year.

She also won TRI-2 gold at the 2011 USA Paratriathlon National Championship at the Nautica New York City Triathlon.

Theberge won his second men's award in three years, having won silver in the TRI-5 at the World Championships, as well as taking gold at the ITU World Championship Series event in London.

"With USA Paratriathlon Athletes of the Year Melissa Stockwell and JP Theberge leading the way, 2011 was yet another strong year for US paratriathletes in domestic and international competition," said Steve Sutherland, chair of the USA Triathlon Age Group Committee Athlete of the Year Subcommittee.

"We congratulate all these inspirational athletes and look forward to seeing the continued growth of this remarkable sport in the future."


A number of other Paratriathlon athletes earned special mentions, including national champions Andre Kajlich and Joel Rosinbum on the men's side and Sarah Reinertsen and Patricia Walsh for the women.

Kajlich claimed silver in the World Championships and Rosinbum took gold in Madrid during the world series, whilst Reinertsen won gold at the World Series London leg, with Walsh winning the US Paratriathlon National Championship.

Reinertsen and Walsh also claimed silver and bronze respectively at the World Championships.

Junior and elite athletes of the year will be named later this week by USA Triathlon.

Paratriathlon debuts at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016, after being added to the programme in 2010.

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