Kids ready to Try at PIC

With all of the hoopla surrounding the XTERRA Saipan Championship and the 17th Tagaman Triathlon, the youngest triathletes in the CNMI could easily feel like they got the “Dangerfield” treatment, but that will all change when they take to the San Antonio shores this Sunday for the start of the TagaKids Tryathlon.

The Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation’s ultimate event for the mini-mavens of multi-sport culminates at 7am this Sunday when kids of all ages swim, bike, and run for the finish at the Pacific Islands Club.

Kenyan Schultz leads the 6-7-year-old division with 22 points—just four ahead of Maxie Braig’s 18-point total, and a full nine ahead of Bryce Daly (13).

The girls’ race is just as tight as Sabrina Bilston-John (23) holds a seven-point lead over Neghar Rastiguy (16), and a sliver more over Taylor Knecht (15) and Emily Jones (14).

The race in the boys’ 8-9-year-old division is the closest on the charts as Andrew Johnson (25) and Angelo Jones (23) are neck and neck down the stretch with Misaki Cramer (15) in third.

Opal Northen didn’t let the competition get that close as her 27 points are far and away the best in the girls’ division. At this point, Adele Hudkins and Olivia Austin are racing for second with seven points apiece.

Clay McCullough-Stearns has command of the 10-11-year-olds as well with 25 points, but Crosby Schultz (18) and Rafael Jones (17) are looking to give him a run for his money.

Ashley Northen (25) and Amber Roberts (20) will have their own run for the roses as the pair will decide the fate of the girl’s division as well.

The eldest of the youngest will also kick some asphalt this weekend as Brad Brostrom (9) and Lucas Knecht (7) try to settle the 12-13-year-old division, as it is unlikely that division co-leader Tyler Sinclair (9) will return to Saipan for the contest.

Emma McCullough-Stearns has a chance for the title in the girls’ division with 25 points, but she has to beat out a pair of talented triathletes when Madison Schultz (19) and Shane Jones (18) come to race on Sunday.

Registration for all of the races begins at 6am at the PIC employee parking lot, and the competition starts at 7am. For more information about the NMITF or TagaKids, contact race director Sue Knecht via email at sueknecht1@yahoo.com.