Triathlon a big hit with Aroostook County youths

8 years ago

Joshua Harvell raises his arms in victory while, from left, Pruet Dionne, Ashton Bugbee and Camden O’Donnell also ham it up following the Aroostook Youth Triathlon held June 17 at UMPI. (Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics)

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Thirty young athletes and 50 volunteers converged on the University of Maine at Presque Isle campus Saturday, June 17, for the Aroostook Youth Triathlon.

Triathletes between the ages of 8 and 9 swam 50 yards, biked two miles, and ran one mile. Participants between the ages of 10 and 12 swam 50 yards, biked 2-1/2 miles and ran one mile.

The fastest times in the 8-9 year-old division were recorded by Ashton Bugbee for the boys and Olivia Sherman for the girls. Both are from Presque Isle.

Bugbee’s time was 21 minutes and 35.9 seconds and Sherman finished in 26:59.

For 10-12 year-olds, the boys’ champion was Fletcher Marquis of Fort Kent with a time of 25:29.9, while taking first place for girls was Olivia Locke of Mapleton in 28:43.2.

Julia Ouellette competes in the swimming portion of the Aroostook Youth Triathlon held June 17 at UMPI. (Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics)

Most of the competitors were part of the Aroostook Tri Club, which had been training for the event the past five weeks.

The volunteers who helped keep the competitors safe on the course included representatives from The Aroostook Medical Center, County Strides, University of Maine at Presque Isle, SAD 1 Adult and Community Education, Girl Scouts, Outdoor Sports Institute, Presque Isle High School, Presque Isle Middle School, Bike Board and Ski and WAGM-TV. Local pageant queens also served as volunteers.

Times for all the finishers follow:

Ashton Bugbee, 21:35.9; Joshua Harvell, 21:55.9; Cruze Casavant, 23:24.5; Killian Deschaine, 23:34.8; Gage Dyer, 23:47; Camden O’Donnell, 23:57.7; Eli Mosher, 24:55; Fletcher Marquis, 25:29.9; Pruet Dionne, 25:41.5; Olivia Sherman, 26:59; and,

Olivia Locke shows off her winning running form at the Aroostook Youth Triathlon. Locke came in first place for girls in the 10-12 year-old age division. (Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics)

Aaden Dyer, 27:10.1; Cameron Locke, 28:02.3; Olivia Locke, 28:43.2; Benjamin Waugh, 28:44; Dylan James, 30:47.8; Jayden Harvell, 31:13.4; Abigale Bugbee, 31:19.4; Kapri Griffeth, 31:37.6; Gavin Bernard, 32:07.7; Tayler Thompson, 34:23.7; and,

Niah Durost, 34:36.9; Julia Ouellette, 36:50.6; Ryder Chandler, 38:53.1; Bailey Hewitt, 41:32.7; and Zoe Gamblin, 43:08.5.

The triathlon was sponsored by UMPI, the University Credit Union, TAMC and SAD 1 Adult Education and Community Education.