Sunday event brings out the best in young athletes

Triathletes are a special breed of competitor.

Unlike some athletes who excel in just a single sport, to be successful in triathlons the competitor must be able to multi-task.

When a triathlete is between the ages of 6 and 12, like those who were entered in Sunday’s event sponsored by the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District, the competition is no less intense than what you’d find among adults and the cheering from the crowd of fans gathered at John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool was just as loud.

Organized by Parks and Recreation Director Craig Carlson, Sunday’s second-annual triathlon drew a few more competitors than last year. But but crowd of fans was considerably larger this time around.

“We have a good turnout today, we’re real happy,” Carlson said. “We always have fun, that’s the main thing.”

The event involved swimming 10 widths of the pool (147 yards), bicycling five laps around the baseball diamond in back of the pool building, another 2,000 yards, and finally a 600-yard run.

Event organizers had the triathletes divided into two groups, those 10 years of age and under along with the team competitors, and those ages 11 and 12.

Many of the kids entered in the competition are members of the North Whidbey Aquatic Club Aquajets so the swimming portion was no problem, but the bicycle ride was a killer.

“It’s not so easy,” Carlson said. “It sounds like it’s nothing riding a bicycle around that short course, but riding on the grass is hard.”

Molly Vagt crossed the finish line first after the Aquajet built herself a big lead in the swimming portion of the event. The 9-year-old was one tired young lady at the end of the 600-yard run.

“I did this last year and right now I’m real tired,” the winded Vagt said.

Placing second was Laura Rodeheffer, another Aquajet swimmer.

“It’s good and fun, but tiring,” she said.

Winning the team competition, in fact the only team entered, was the trio of Jerrin Concepcion, Ridgely Briddell and Natalie Plush. All three of the winners are just 6 years of age.

Concepcion swam, Briddell rode the bicycle course and Plush handled the running.

“I’m hot, I poured a whole bottle of water over my head,” said the drenched Briddell.

Plush required a bit of first-aid after the run, having fallen near the start of the race and skinned one of her knees.

“We had fun,” she said.

“There are a lot of kids out here today for the first time doing something they’ve never done before,” Carlson said. “We had a perfect day for it and everybody had a good time.”