DRUMS — For much of the weekend, it looked like the competitors in the inaugural Strive Olympic Triathlon would be dealing with more water than just what’s in the Lake of the Four Seasons at Beech Mountain Lakes.
But after Saturday’s torrential downpours, predicted showers never materialized on Sunday, allowing for some fast times.
Kiley Austin-Young, of Drums, took overall honors, finishing the 1,500-meter swim, 22.5-mile bike ride and 6.2-mile run in 2 hours and 21.9 seconds. The 30-year-old finished over seven minutes in front of the second-place finisher, Sean Robbins.
Robbins, a 47-year-old from Dallas and a fixture on the region’s triathlon scene, finished in 2:07:49.1 Third place went to Alex Saba, 25 of Mountain Top, who finished in 2:09:12.8.
The women’s division winner won by an even bigger margin.
Jessica Chong, a 31-year-old from Allentown, was the first female finisher in a time of 2:08:59.1. She finished third overall, just a little over 1:10 behind Robbins.
Kelly Ciravolo, a 37-year-old from Shavertown and another fixture on the region’s triathlon and running scene, finished second in 2:21:19.5. Charlene Aquilina, a 36-year-old from Wyoming, finished third in 2:27:36.9.
Race director Dave Bass was happy with the first edition of the race, which had approximately 125 competitors.
“I’m really pleased with how the first Strive Olympic Triathlon went off (Sunday) and how well it was received by both the athletes and the community,” Bass said.
Bass pointed out that the condition of the roads in Butler Township, which the bike portion of the event ran through, led to excellent times. He was also quick to thank the volunteers at the event and promised that the race will return in 2017.
The team competition was won by Hazy Crazy in 2:14:15.2.
Notes
Times Leader news editor Joe Soprano finished his second-ever triathlon in 3:34:18.4
STRIVE OLYMPIC TRIATHLON
Results
Top Males: 1. Kiley Autin-Young, Drums, 2:00:21.9; 2. Sean Robbins, Dallas, 2:07.49.1; 3. Alex Saba, Mountain Top, 2:09:12.8.
Top Females: 1. Jessica Chong, Allentown, 2:08:59.9; 2. Kelly Ciravolo, Shavertown, 2:21:19.5; 3. Charlene Aquilina, Wyoming, 2:27:36.9.
Age Group Winners
Male: 19 and under: 1. Ben Fickes, Newark, 2:34:26.3; 2. Gabriel Castano, Allentown, 2:41:54.6. 20-24: 1. Timmy Samec, Drums, 2:1658.0. 25-29: 1. Scott Skammer, Dallas, 2:32: 10.4; 2. Tyler Welsh, Lewisburg, 43:47. 30-34: 1. David Sedelnick, New York, 2:22:08.8; 2. Daryl Good, Bethel, 2:26:57.9. 35-39: 1. Shawn Loper, Bel Air, 2:11:26.8; 2. Jeremiah Atkinson, Tioga, 2:38:17.1. 40-44: 1. Andy Morgan, Clarks Summit, 2:16:47.6; 2. Joel Allen, Gilbertsville, 2:22:35.6. 45-49: 1. Kenny Quigley, 2:09:29.8; 2. Marc Silberman, Gillette, 2:!2:04.3. 50-54: 1. John Mcgurk, Dallas, 2:20:23.4; 2. Mike Rohl, Mansfield, 2:26:05.0. 55-59: 1. John Schultz, Dunmore, 3:04:02.1; 2. John Mull, Hummelstown, 3:18:21.8; 60-64: 1. Woody Haydt, 2:43:12.4; 2. Dave Grilz, Wilkes-Barre, 2:49:36.3. 65-69: 1. James Sweeney, Plainview, 3:01:05.0; 2. Dennis Knowlton, 3:14:04.1.
Female: 20-24: 1. Traci Tempone, Lancaster, 2:43:48.2; 2. 30-34: 1. Beth Coleman, Levittown, 2:57:38.2; 2. Jill Knecht, Mountain Top, 2:57.55.9. 35-39: 1. Kelly Admashick, Dallas, 2:28:36.3; 2. Sarah Leskowsky, 2:42:28.1. 40-44: 1. Jessica Chesman, Dallas, 2:32:33.1; 2. Jennifer Reis, Binghamton, New York, 2:41:32.6. 45-49: 1. Ann Zoranski, Swoyersville, 2:37:15.3; 2. Carey Zapusek, Wapwallopen, 3:01:03.6. 50-54: 1. Irene Cobb, Nicholson, 2:44:14. 55-59: 1. Michelle Sweeney, Plainview, 3:07:23.4
