Published: July 13, 2008 01:37 am            

Local kids compete in triathlon

BY GREG MENGELT

sports@newsandtribune.com



JEFFERS0NVILLE — It’s been arged that today’s video-game culture has produced the laziest generation in American history.

There are some Clark County youngsters who would beg to differ.

Sixty-one children — from the ages of six to 14 — showed up at the Jeffersonville Aquatic Center Saturday morning to participate in arguably the world’s toughest sporting event, a triathlon. It was a grueling morning that consisted of a 100-yard swim, a one-mile bike ride and a half-mile run.

The event followed a week of “triathlon camp,” where the kids prepared for the race, while learning about the different aspects of training, like nutrition and stretching.

The 61 participants were up more than 50 percent from last year, a credit to the growing population of the sport, said Aquatic Center director Sara Kraft.

“I think maybe the Ironman being in Louisville got more parents interested in the sport and they got their kids interested in trying it out,” said Kraft, who has been the JAC director for four years.

Whatever the reason, Kraft was excited at the incredible turnout of participants, parents and event helpers.

“It’s very exciting to see this kind of response,” she said. “I love to see the young kids participate, especially since it’s a sport that I participate in, as well. Maybe we’ll see some of these kids doing the Ironman some day.”

If they do, the name to watch for is Decker.

Thirteen-year-old Pierce won the overall event for the second year in a row, and younger sister Lauren won the girls’ race. Lauren finished sixth overall, despite being just nine-years-old. She finished just one spot ahead of her sister, Bailey, who is 12.

Their mother, Mary, is just proud that her kids were interested in taking on such a difficult task.

“They just have such a great time,” she said. “I think in this age of video games and television, this is an amazing thing that kids get to try.”

Pierce, who said he will take part in the race again next year, said his swimming background is the reason for his success.

“I’m a swimmer, so that’s good for getting a lead,” he said. “It’s fun competing in different things.”

Lauren, who is a serious gymnast, ran the triathlon for the first time. She said she’s best at running, but she likes to swim and “I have so much fun riding my bike.”

Nine-year-old Alec Sipes said the notion that kids are lazy today bothers him and he’s out to do something about it.

“I like to do (the triathlon) because it makes me a stronger and healthier person,” Sipes said. “I don’t want to be somebody who people think of as lazy.”

Ethan Justawny, 9, has participated all three years that the event has been held. He said the first year he was forced to do it by his parents, but now he’s glad they made him do it.

“The first two years they made me do it and it rained both years and I didn’t like it,” Justawney said. “This year was much better. It was great. I had a lot of fun and I’ll probably do it again next year.”

Kraft said she thinks the key to the week is the daily camp.

“We make it a lot of fun for the kids while they’re at the camp,” she said. “So a lot of them came back this year and hopefully most of them will be back next year.”

        

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