Junior Tri VI Season Ends With Thrilling Events

ST. CROIX — The Junior Tri VI season came to an eventful end on Sunday, with the children cheering on their parents from the shoreline. The competition saw its regular participants as well as a few first-timers at the Chenay Bay Resort.

The Splash ‘N Dash—also known as an aquathon—brought four groups of competitors ranging from age 5 to age 15.  First to jump in for their 25-meter swim was a small group of 5-6 year olds. Although Kai Tanguay started off with the fastest swim, Stephen Gomez overtook him on the .25-mile run to win the gold.  Tanguay came in second and Henry Collins finished third. Close behind and taking first place for the girls was Diella Maynard, with Emma D’Amour finishing second.

Second to compete were the 7-8 year olds who completed a course double the length of the younger group.  With a time of 1:01 for the 50-meter swim, Joseph Freeman emerged as the forerunner for first place and held on to his lead for the .5 mile run.  In second place, was Connor Bass, who is described as being, “no stranger to the podium.” Aden Rojas, came in strongly in third place.  First for the girls was Hellen Collin, followed by Isabel Hoover—a first time Junior Tri VI competitor.  Tied for third were Ella Evora and Bell Davis-McCarthy.

A large group of 9-11 year olds anxiously anticipated their race, which included a 100-meter swim and a .5-mile run. At the start Kaeden Gleason, and classmate Mason Lambert went head to head, however, Kaeden took the lead after Mason suffered a side stitch. Kaden and Mason finished first and second, respectively, with Jackson Archambault finishing third.  The third finisher overall, Lydia Wilson, won the girls’ division, while Kirra Lambert overtook Maria Wilson on the run, finishing in second; Maria finished strongly in third.

The 12-15 year old athletes were the smallest group and final group of competitors. At their request, the course was lengthened and the three boys covered a 400-meter swim and a 2-mile run. Mikey Dizon-Bumann emerged from the water with a 10 second lead on Dominic Pulgiese. The two—who are GHCDS Cross Country teammates—were head to head up until the final loop of the two-mile course. Dominic took the lead crossing the finish line ten seconds ahead of Mikey.  Brice Richards, also a teammate of the two, held a consistent pace and finished third.

Ending the day’s events was a parent/child race, which race organizer Theresa Harper says, was to show good sportsmanship, and to demonstrate that racing is not always about winning. “Leading by example is the best way to teach a lesson,” she said. Nine parents completed a 200-meter swim and a one mile run.

Parent/Child team

5-6 year old Category: Matt and Kai Tanguay

7-8 year old Category:  Claudia and Helen Collings

9-11 year old Category: Jay and Kaden Gleason

12-15 year old Category: Nataki and Brice Richards