Sanes wins inaugural St. Thomas Kids Triathlon

ST. THOMAS - Adriel Sanes, a 12-year-old Good Hope School seventh-grader, won both of the kids triathlon events on St. Croix this year and when a similar event was planned for St. Thomas, he had to make the trip. When he arrived, however, he was a little surprised.

"There's was a lot of competition here, which is a good thing," he said moments after crossing the finish line for the swim-bike-run event.

More than 100 athletes competed Saturday and Sanes was the overall winner at the inaugural St. Thomas Kids Triathlon at Magens Bay beach. He competed in the 12-15 age group and completed the 200-meter swim, 3-mile bike and 1-mile run in 24 minutes and 54 seconds.

The event was organized by the Rotary Club of St. Thomas Sunrise and local schools helped to recruit the young athletes.

"For a first-time event, I was extremely pleased with the turnout," said volunteer Therese Hodge, who judged the run portion of the race. "Some of the kids were a little apprehensive about the swimming part, but everyone did such a great job and we're hoping even more will come out next year."

Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation president Scott Fricks rallied the young athletes together before the race and was also delighted by the huge turnout.

"Other than the 70.3 Ironman race we hold on St. Croix, this was the largest triathlon we've had in the V.I. in recent memory," he said. "Our goal is to not let too much time pass before we hold another event for the kids. We'd like to get something together for this fall."

Sanes was named as one of the Junior V.I. Triathlon champions earlier this month when he won on St. Croix. He competes with the St. Croix Dolphins swim team, the Hounds and Foxes Track Club, and won the St. Croix IAA elementary school cross-country 1-mile championship in the fall.

"During the bike ride, people kept telling me I had two more laps when I really had one left," said Sanes, who was first out of the water and broke away during the bike portion. "I guess they were surprised."

Children in three age groups competed individually or as a member of a relay team.

Jordan Knight won the 8-11 age group in 12:50, and young Taber Helton finished first in the 5-7 age group in 7:25.

Marina Parlatte, Hanna Clements and Sasha Klein took the 12-15 age group relay title when they were able to hold off Megan Godfrey, Christina Brett and Alison Bartsch by a minute.

Shaw Clements, Karson Kendall and Sean Gurlea finished in 10:59 to take the 8-11 age group, while Thomas Brunt, Paschal Bryan and Rohan Nagi were the first relay team in the 5-7 age group in 7:32.

For more information about triathlon events in the territory, log on to the V.I. Triathlon Federation website at http://vitf.org.

- Contact sports writer Aaron Gray at 774-8772 ext. 352 or email agray@dailynews.vi.St. Thomas Kids Triathlon

Saturday, Magens Bay

Individual Results

5-7 age group

1. Taber Helton (7:25)

2. Teagan Kappel (7:43)

3. Christian Freyn (7:45)

8-11 age group

1. Jordan Knight (12:50)

2. Latrell Sasso (13:06)

3. Brittany Leonard (13:15)

12-15 age group

1. Adriel Sanes (20:14)

2. Lukata Samuel (22:01)

3. Joseph Charles (24:54)

Relay Team Results

5-7 age group

1. Thomas Brunt, Paschal Bryan, Rohan Nagi (7:32)

2. Ellie Papataros, Abigail Wilson, Fairley Maltby (10:56)

3. Ronan Dodson, Naiya Lewis, Diana Hammond (13:30)

8-11 age group

1. Shaw Clements, Karson Kendall, Sean Gurlea (10:59)

2. Karen Gauriloff, Ammiel Maynard, Axel Bartsch (12:14)

3. Sean Godfrey, Quinn Farrell, Thomas Gonzalez (13:25)

12-15 age group

1. Marina Parlatte, Hanna Clements, Sasha Klein (22:01)

2. Megan Godfrey, Christina Brett, Alison Bartsch (23:01)

3. Shawn Doss, Troy Doss, Dajhani Petersen (23:20)

Source: race director Shaun Pennington

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