Kids TRYathlon crowns series winners

The usual suspects emerged overall champions of their divisions in the 2004 Kids TRYathlon, which held its final race of the year last Saturday in Marpi.

Taking home the championship in the boy’s 6-7 age group is Misaki Cramer. It was a close contest between Cramer, runner-up Jack Sharer and third-place Maxi Braig but Cramer pulled off the win by participating in more races.

Sharer is the son of 2003 Suva South Pacific Games bronze medalist Jack Sharer of triathlon, while Braig managed to finish in the Top 3 despite entering only the final two races of the year, which he incidentally won.

Opal Northen was tops for the girls in the age group. The Whispering Palms School student finished first in all four triathlon events this year. Taylor Knecht and Gabrielle Race finished second and third, respectively.

Northen’s older sister, Ashley, took the plum in the girl’s 8-9 division. She went into the final race ahead by a single point but eventually pulled away from runner-up Illia Corella and third-place Tatiano Calvo with a lung-busting performance Saturday.

R.J. Knecht held court in the boy’s 8-9 category. The Calvary Christian Academy student finished first in all triathlon events in 2004 and actually locked the championship months before.

There was a tight battle for second and third though with Andrew Johnson squeaking past Clay McCullough-Stearns on Saturday to bag second. McCullough-Stearns settled for third place,

Knecht’s older brother, Lucas, mirrored R.J.’s dominance in the boy’s 10-12 age group before encountering a speed bump Saturday when he lost to Bradley Brostrom. But it hardly mattered as Lucas took the series championship just the same with plenty to spare. Cooper Graf of Saipan International School finished second, while Brostrom salvaged third.

Sarah Johnson dominated the girl’s division and finished ahead of close rivals Emma McCullough-Stearns and series surprise Dominique Austin, who just turned 10 but showed she could manage the longer distances in the older age group.

The competition in the girl’s 13-15 age group was literally a two-way contest. Both Katy and Amanda Johnson were tied going into Saturday, but Katy was able to snag the win after a third-place finish in the final Kids TRYathlon of the year.

Kids TRYathlon organizers would also like to give special recognition to five-year-old Jenna Jones, who attended every race, doing only the 1-kilometer run and always finishing with a smile.

Also deserving applause is the team of Madison Smith and Zoe Jewell, who finished all their races in notable times. Organizers hope the two decide to compete individually in 2005.

Organizers would also like to thank the following sponsors for making the 2004 Kids TRYathlon a success: Verizon, Big Dipper Ice Cream Factory, Hamilton’s Restaurant, Church’s Chicken, and Champs.

Special thanks also go to all the volunteers, the parents, the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation, Saipan Swim Club, and the Marianas Resort and Country Club for making the year’s events possible, according to organizers.