The quiet serenity of Pacific Bay’s romantic setting, a popular
wedding spot for many couples, was broken two weeks ago when
hundreds of athletes stormed into the bedroom community to compete
in a triathlon.
The quiet serenity of Pacific Bay’s romantic setting, a popular wedding spot for many couples, was broken two weeks ago when hundreds of athletes stormed into the bedroom community to compete in a triathlon.
The long course was run Saturday while the sprint triathlon, which consists of a 1/4-mile swim, a 2-mile run and a 12-mile bike ride, was held the next morning. It was this event, the sprint triathlon, that included four area youngsters, Gabriella Cinkova, Kimberly Elkerton, Patrick Elkerton and Kooper Knutson, three of whom have not yet reached their teen-age years.
But these local athletes didn’t show up and just compete which would have been a formidable feat in its own right. They all placed in their respective age group but Gabriela really grabbed the limelight when she broke the course record for her division.
Not bad when you consider that the 12-year-old seventh grader, who attends Britton Middle School in Morgan Hill, just started competing in triathlons three months ago. And she already has a course record of 1 hour, 15.05 minutes to her credit.
“I’ve been a competitive swimmer for awhile now, probably since when I was 8, so it was just a natural thing to do,” Gabriela said. “It’s fun. I guess it is kind of something that in just my second race I set a course record but honestly the big thing to me is how much fun it is to compete in triathlons.
“Swimming is definitely my favorite sport. When I’m not competing in triathlons my favorite stroke is the butterfly but I also like freestyle,” she admitted. “I can’t wait until Sunday (September 25) because we’re all going to the Super Kids Triathlon in Santa Cruz. My parents have been a big support and Cristen (Reichmuth) is the best coach you could have. She has taught me everything I need to know since I’ve first started competing in triathlons.”
Reichmuth, the owner and founder of MSTC Body and Mind Solutions, is no stranger to triathlons in fact her credentials, which include a course record at Pacific Grove of 58.46 minutes, speaks for itself.
“I love working with the kids. They’re so energetic and are like sponges that just soak everything up,” said Hammerhead Kids Triathlon Club head coach Reichmuth. “We’ve had the program going since March and we’re nine kids strong. They put it all into every practice. I love passing on the knowledge that I’ve acquired from my years of competing.
“The most important thing I try to continuously emphasize is that it’s not just the physical effort that needs to be paid attention too but it’s also so very important to compete for the right reason,” Reichmuth admitted. “Our motto is ‘run because you can, swim because you can and bike because you can.’ It’s not all about going out and kicking somebody else’s butt. We’re already in the world and are incredible. It’s important to enjoy working hard.”
In addition to the young athletes, the parents of Cristen’s youth are quick to sing her praises as well.
“She’s such a great motivator,” said Charlotte Knutson Kooper’s mother. “I remember one race Kooper fell off his bike six miles into the 12-mile bike ride and tore up his stomach pretty bad. Most 11-year old kids would have been crying their eyes out at that point. At least I would. But Kooper got back on his bike and finished the other six miles and then did the two-mile run. Later he needed five stitches to sew up the cut. He gets that determination from Cristen’s motivation.”
Kooper, who is an 11-year old sixth grader and lives in Gilroy, finished third at Pacific Grove in his age group, with a time of 1 hour 15.56 minutes.
“I’ve been competing in triathlons since March. My best finish was at Pacific Grove. Even though I’ve won a couple of second place awards the third place at Pacific Grove was the most rewarding,” Kooper admitted. “We got plaques it was great getting rewarded for all our hard work. Running is by far my favorite event. To me it’s the most challenging and I’m pretty good at it. Running is just real fun for me. Right now I’d have to say that I’m basically hooked on those three (triathlon) sports right now.”
And then there is the Gilroy brother and sister team of 11-year old Kimberly Elkerton and 14-year old Patrick Elkerton.
Patrick, a freshman in high school at Mount Madonna in Watsonville, takes credit for getting his sister hooked.
“I started competing in triathlons about a two months before she did and I needed a training partner. At the time she was only doing dance and she loves swimming so I figured it would be a great fit,” Patrick said. “My best finish was at the Kohl’s meet where I placed second. Biking is by far my favorite sport. I used to run cross country and I got tired of it. With biking you get to see the scenery. It’s just really pretty.
“Cristen really pushes us to have nice form and to maintain our bodies,” bragged Patrick about his head coach, Cristen. “She emphasizes the transition a lot because that’s where you can really pass a lot of people quickly. She has taught me to keep my feet flat because I have a tendency to point my feet on the bike. She’s great.”
Kimberly, a sixth grader at Mount Madonna admitted that her brother and her father were her biggest inspiration to compete.
“When it comes to triathlons biking is my favorite sport but my favorite overall sport is swimming,” Kimberly said. “Cristen taught me how to really work on the transition areas. She has also taught me the importance of leg and arm position.”
When asked what her ultimate goal in triathlons is, Kimberly responded, “To finish second in the Wildflower Triathlon.”
Why second?
“Because I finished third last year,” Kimberly said. “I love competing in the triathlons. They’re so much fun.”
In 10 years all of them may be back at Pacific Grove celebrating their Wedding Day but right now for these four athletes from South Valley they think of Pacific Grove when they think of triathlons. They’re having fun and loving every minute of it.
