Points piling up for Kids Tryathlon

More than 40 kids of all ages swam, biked, and ran in Marpi two weeks ago when the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation hosted the first event of its Kids Tryathlon Series, and the point race should continue to draw then out for the next couple of months.

The mini monsters of multi-sport competed on bicycles, tricycles, and some with training wheels. While most of them crossed the finish line with smiles, all agreed that they had a good time in the pool and on the pavement.

According to race coordinator Sue Knecht, the event was only the first of a four-part point series which will culminate with April’s championship event—the TagaKids.

“Kids can still earn points for doing teams and DNFs. As long as they try some portion, they will get a point. Also, bonus points at the end of the season for kids who have participated in all four races,” she said.

After finishing with the fastest time in the 5-and-under division, youngster Michael Jones holds an early lead for the boys, while five-year-old Liza Atalig heads up the girl’s division.

While the main focus of the event was aimed at gearing up the next generation for healthy lifestyle right from the start, it was hard to convince the kids that their place in the standings didn’t matter as the youngest to the oldest gave their best efforts from the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool to the road ride and run.

Six-year-old Kenyon Schultz is the current leader among the boys in the competitive 6-9 year-old division with nine points, while Taylor Knecht leads the girls with nine points as well. Knecht is followed by Sabrina Bilston-John in second place with seven points, while Julia Sinclair and Emily Jones are hot on her trail with six and five points, respectively.

The action was just as intense among the 8-9 year-olds, as Andrew Johnson earned nine points and the top spot for the boys, ahead of second place finisher Angelo Jones (seven points), third place Micah Griffin (six points), and determined fourth place finisher Misaki Cramer (five points).

After a mix-up in the post-race paperwork was sorted out, Opal Northen was officially recognized for her second overall finish in the division, and first among the girls to take home nine points.

Adele Hudkins was originally awarded the top finisher’s points, but she still has plenty to be proud about with seven points for her solid second place finish in which she toughed out the run in the challenging closing moments of the race.

There was plenty of excitement among the older kids as well, as Clay McCullough-Stearns edged out Colin Sinclair to take nine points in the 10-11 year-old division. Sinclair’s seven points are good enough for second place in the standings, while third place finisher Crosby Schultz has six, Rafael Jones came away with five points, and R.J. Knecht got a point on the day.

Opal wasn’t the only Northen with a big finish as her sister Ashley posted the top time in the girls’ division as well by finishing just a minute behind McCullough-Stearns to take home nine points.

She holds a narrow two-point advantage over Amber Roberts (seven points) and a three-point lead over Abby Hudkins (six points) heading into the next event.

The elder statesmen of the next generation welcomed a familiar face to the race as Tyler Sinclair took first place, nine points, and the lead in the 12-13 year-old division, while “Cool Hand” Lucas Knecht is in second with seven points.

Emma McCullough-Stearns made her mark for the girls to finish first in the race to take the lead in the series, while Madison Schultz reeled in a third place finish overall and seven points as the girls’ second place racer.

Shane Jones bagged third place and six points, but the real story was that she even finished the race at all. After suffering a nasty spill on the bike course, Jones took some first aid and returned to the road to complete the run.

Mitchell Sinclair took home nine points as the only competitor in the 14-and-older division. This means that the race for TagaKids is wide open among the high schoolers.

Awards will be distributed to the top male and female finishers in each age division at the conclusion of the series, but each of the kids are considered winners just for competing and are given medals following each event as proof. For more information about the Kids Tryathlon Series, contact Sue Knecht via email at sueknecht1@yahoo.com.