Saturday, August 28, 1999 -- Charleston
Sternwheel Regatta Children's Triathlon
Story and photos by Pam Anderson

[Coverage] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3] [Results]

All in a days fun at the Regatta

"You gotta Regatta", and helping to kick off this year's week of events and family fun was the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Children's Triathlon. Kids in four age groups competed for trophies by running, biking and swimming at Coonskin Park with the course becoming more advanced with the older ages. The warmer 70-degree weather made for a hot run and bike past the park pond to the pool where the kids were happy to take a quick dip in the cool pool water for the final leg of the race.

With her family cheering her on, including two sisters who also competed and placed second in their age groups, Annie age 11 (10:17) and Abigail age 9 (12:16), Lindsey Kerns (8:17) captured first place in her age group, Girls 7-8 years old. Taking first place in Boys 7-8 years old was a spirited Jesse Dreyer (7:46). Nathan Deakin (10:46) completed the tough course with a victorious first place finish for Boys 9-10 years old. Finishing first place in the Girls 9-10 years old, with an impressive time of 10:56, was spunky Caitlin Cook.

On your mark...get set...go!

Ryan Coyles' (9:16) talent as an athlete helped him prevail in taking first place in the Boys 11-12 years old with Bobby Johnson (9:22) coming in with a close second place finish. Seizing a first place finish in Girls 11-12 was Erin Biron in an amazing time of 9:54.

Securing first place in the Boys 13-14 age group was Payton Brooks (10:24) with barely a second between him and second place finisher Michael Northcutt (10:25). The first place finisher for Girls 13-14 years old was Sarah Coyle with a great time of 11:25. Congratulations to all the wonderful athletes who took part in this year's triathlon. These are our champions of the future.