Silhouetted against the San Francisco skyline on a rare
beautiful sunny day, the Hammerhead kids took home top honors
against tough competition in the Sprint Distance Triathlon held
Nov. 4 at Treasure Island.
Staff Reports
Silhouetted against the San Francisco skyline on a rare beautiful sunny day, the Hammerhead kids took home top honors against tough competition in the Sprint Distance Triathlon held Nov. 4 at Treasure Island.
The 9- to 13-year-old athletes from Gilroy and Morgan Hill donned their wetsuits for a .25 mile swim in the unpleasantly cold waters of San Francisco Bay. Temperatures in the bay were below 55 degrees. They also rode a challenging 12-mile bike course.
The final test of their endurance and fortitude was the 3-mile run at the waters edge.
Kooper Knutson, 12, placed first in the 11-12 year male division. Knutson also placed 64th overall in a field of 500 athletes. He has competed in an Olympic Distance triathlon and plans to compete in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon next June.
Gabriella Cinkova, 13, a course-record holder in the 11-12 female division on two courses (Pacific Grove and Treasure Island) finished second in the 13-14 female division with a new personal record.
Katie Knutson, 9, the youngest Hammerhead athlete, competing in her second sprint distance, came in first in the 10-and-under female division. Coach Cristin Reichmuth and Team Mascot Chloe encouraged and ran with Katie to the finish line for a strong finish.
Emma Ball, 12, a second-place finisher last year repeated her second-place finish this year in the 11-12 division with a new personal record.
Cristin Reichmuth coaches both adult athletes. If you are interested in competing or staying fit, go to www.bodyandmindsolutions.com or come out to the track workout on Wednesdays at Live Oak High School from 5:15pm to 6:30pm.
