Podium Finish For Junior Triathlete In USA
A group of young triathletes from Bermuda traveled to West Chester Ohio this past weekend in order to compete in the USA National Youth and Junior Age Group Triathlon Championships, with one local athlete achieving a podium finish.
A total of 850 athletes competed over two days and, for the first time in the event’s history, there was sold out registration.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda contingent consisted of members of the Tri-Hedz Junior Triathlon Club of Bermuda, including Megan Hand, 10, Caleb Ingham, 11, Nicholas Pilgrim, 11, Amber Simons, 11, Nicholas Narraway, 12, Jessica Godfrey, 14, and Tristan Narraway, 15.
“The young Bermudian team had a strong showing, with several members of the team achieving personal best times, along with notable finishes from Ms. Hand, who had a top 15 finish in the 10-year-old girls’ age group, and Mr. Pilgrim, who finished in ninth in the 11-year-old male age group; Mr. Pilgrim was also the number 47 finisher out of the 302 male and female participants in the 11-15-year-old category.
“Making the podium was Tristan Narraway, who placed third in the 15-year-old female age group. Miss Narraway presented the third place award to fourth place finisher Nicole Tanner of Alpharetta, Georgia, who shared the honour by inviting Miss Narraway to share the podium with her.”
Tristan Narraway poses on the podium
“Triathlon is such an individual sport; I am always trying to better my own performance event after event. My goal was to do my best in the swim, concentrate on the bike, as this has been the focus of my training, and hang in there for the run, which is my weakest discipline,” said Miss Narraway.
“I felt good on the bike and worked hard to move up my placement, but had no idea of my positioning till I was close to finishing and could hear my teammates yelling at me to ‘run top three’.”
“The age group event began at 3.00om on August 2 after a weather delay due to thunder and lightning, and featured competitive distances, ranging from a 100m swim, 5k bike, and a 1k run for ages 7-10, to a 200m swim, 10k bike, and 2k run for athletes ages 11-15.
“The swim was in fresh water, and presented a challenge as the athletes usually compete in salt water. They overcame this and showed great strength on the bike course, holding their own on the flat run.
“In addition to the race, the Bermudian athletes had the opportunity to participate in the event clinic on August 1. This opportunity featured USA Triathlon Certified Coaches taking 100 youth athletes through swim, bike, run, and transition stations on the race course and offering advice for race day.”
The Bermuda team
“This was a great opportunity for the athletes to familiarize themselves with the course and learn some tips from top coaches before racing got under.”
“I think the parents and athletes would agree that this trip was an amazing experience, ” said Tri-Hedz President Deborah Titterton Narraway. “Our focus is on providing the kids with opportunities to inspire them to enjoy the sport of triathlon and focus on learning proper skills and healthy exercise habits that will last a life time.”
“Tri-Hedz Junior Triathlon Club of Bermuda is group of over 30 juniors, ranging in age from seven to 15, representing a diverse cross section of the community, all with a love for the sport of triathlon. They meet on Saturday mornings, March through October, from 8.30am to 10.00am at Clearwater Beach for training – with an emphasis on fun.
“Juniors have the opportunity to learn or develop the skills needed to participate in triathlon, whether to compete or simply have fun and make new friends in a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment. For more information email trihedz@gmail.com.”
The cream always rises to the top !