35 kids try NMITF tri

A mighty mob of mini multi-sport mavens swam and ran in Marpi on Saturday when the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation hosted the latest event of its Kids Tryathlon Series.

The youngsters returned to Saipan’s northernmost proving grounds to compete on bicycles, tricycles, and some with training wheels, in an effort to gain points for the Kids Tryathlon Series title, but the wheeled portion of the race was scrapped due to the precipitation that fell during registration.

As with all of the events of the Kids Tryathlon Series, the times and results were not the focus of the three-sport fray, but 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 and to the run.

Five-year-old Michael Jones repeated his January feat over the weekend as the fastest of the 5-and-Under division for the boys, but he was followed closely by tiny Thom Bilston-John and Cole Chambers, in second and third place, respectively.

Last month Kenyon Schultz was in a league of his own as he was the first to finish the course amidst a competitive 6-9 year-old division, but this time around he was edged by Max Braig with a time of 7:26. Schultz followed 12 seconds later at 7:38 with Bryce Daly giving chase before settling for third at 7:56.

Close behind was the first female finisher in the division, Neghar Rastiguy, who crossed the line at 8:36, just 12 seconds ahead of Sabrina Bilston-John (8:48). Last time out Taylor Knecht was the girls’ champ, but her time of 10:56 was good enough for third over the weekend.

The action was just as exciting among the 8-9 year-olds as Andrew Johnson continued to dominate the circuit with a tie of 8:03 for the boys, but he was challenged by second place finisher Angelo Jones who crossed the line at 8:12, while Misaki Cramer took third place at 9:26.

Fierce competitor Opal Northen was just a second behind Jones at 8:13 to take the tape for the girls, while Olivia Austin finished in second at 9:39.

The older kids provided plenty of speed to the show as R.J. Knecht and his flowing locks cruised to an easy victory in the 10-11 year-old division to take first place with a time of 15:04. Last month’s winner Clay McCullough-Stearns still managed a strong second place finish at 17:49, while Crosby Schultz took third at 17:57.

Dominique Austin exploded onto the kids’ scene to take first place in the girls’ division with an overall time of 15:17, and swimmer Ashley Northern posted a steady 16:35 for second, while Amber Roberts bagged third at 18:42.

The elder statesmen of the next generation were dominated by Sarah Johnson as she placed first overall in the 12-13 year-old division with a time of 16:34. The top male finisher was a full minute behind as Brad Brostrom crossed the line at 17:34. Emma McCullough-Stearns pulled off another gusty performance as she took second with a time of 20:29, followed by Shane Jones (20:35), and Madison Schultz (22:00), who was hampered by a wardrobe malfunction during the run.

According to race coordinator Sue Knecht, this weekend’s event was the second of a four-part point series which will culminate with the 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.

Awards will be distributed to all of the top male and female finishers in each age division at the conclusion of the series. For more information about the kids Tryathlon Series, contact Knecht via email at sueknecht1@yahoo.com.