Points are piling up in Kids Tryathlon Series

The youngest endurance aficionados have spent plenty of time on the road and in the pool to train for the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation’s Kids Tryathlon Series, and their hard work has already begun to show itself just two races in.

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

According to race coordinator Sue Knecht, the latest event was only the second 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 back-to-back 5-and-Under division races, youngster Michael Jones holds an early lead for the boys, but Thom Bilston-John and Cole Chambers are close behind with a pair of seconds and third place finishes, respectively.

The main focus of all of the events is aimed at gearing up the next generation for healthy lifestyle right from the start, but thus far the kids have been pushing the limits of their fitness to improve their place in the standings.

Six-year-old Kenyon Schultz is still the current leader among the boys in the competitive 6-9 year-old division with 18 points, while Taylor Knecht holds a narrow one-point lead for the girls with 15 points, with Sabrina Bilston-John hot on her tail with 14 points. Neghar Rastiguy surged into third place by earning nine points after taking the tape in her first race, while Emily Jones is still in the hunt with eight points.

Andrew Johnson is proving his dominance early with 18 points and a pair of first place finishes among the 8-9 year-olds, while second place finisher Angelo Jones kept pace with his second runner-up outing for a total of 14 points. Misaki Cramer jumped from fourth to third place in the standings with another strong finish to increase his total to 11 points as the division heats up midway through the series.

Just like Johnson, Opal Northen refuses to lose as the Saipan Swim Club star has a pair of first place finishes and 18 points among the girls, while Olivia Austin and Adele Hudkins are tied for second with seven points apiece.

The older kids also continued to blaze a trail, as Clay McCullough-Stearns scored back-to-back first place finishes to lead the pack with 18 points in the 10-11 year-old division. Crosby Schultz surged into second place with 12 points after another third place performance, while Rafael Jones and R.J. Knecht are tied for third with 10 points.

Knecht was on fire last time out, as he cruised to a first place victory ahead of his flowing locks.

Ashley Northen followed on her sister’s footsteps with another big finish to lead the girls’ division with 16 points, but she holds a slim lead over Amber Roberts (13 points), who scored second and third place finishes. If Dominique Austin would have entered the series in January she would be a contender for the top spot, but she is currently in third place with nine points following an inspiring first place finish earlier in the month.

Amongst the elder statesmen of the next generation, Tyler Sinclair and Brad Brostrom share the lead in the 12-13 year-old division with nine points each, while “Cool Hand” Lucas Knecht is in second with seven points.

Emma McCullough-Stearns has a four-point lead for the girls in the series with 16 points after placing first and second, respectively, while Shane Jones and Madison Schultz are locked in a second place battle with a dozen apiece.

For more information about the Kids Tryathlon Series, contact Sue Knecht via email at sueknecht1@yahoo.com.