Doug Hawley
The Daily Citizen
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A gritty Emilie Smith claimed Dalton's only first-place finish Saturday morning in the second annual Dalton Youth Triathlon at Dalton Recreation Center.
Smith, an eighth grader at Dalton Middle School, won the female Senior Division (ages 13-17). Her events in order included the 300-meter swim, 8-mile bike ride and 2-mile run.
“I had to walk some of the run,” the 13-year-old performer said of the stifling humid conditions. “I was hurting. I'm more of a swimmer which I do year-round. I've only done two other triathlons. It feels great that I did win for the local people.”
She covered the three events in 1 hour, 28 minutes and 47 seconds. She easily outdistanced sisters Sydney and Hayley Scott from Woodstock who both clocked 1:34.07.
Some 60 participants, who competed in three divisions for boys and girls, exceeded last year's debut of 50.
“We were certainly happy to have more people this year,” said Roger Young, president of sponsoring Carpet Capital Aquatics Club. “As an annual event, we expect it to grow. I thought that we might have a few more local people. More than half probably came from out of town.”
Connor Meyer and Caroline Mathis claimed second place finishes for Dalton in the Intermediate Division (ages 9-12) where the distances were 150-meter swim, 4-mile bike and 1-mile run. They clocked 30:44 and 32:21, respectively.
Dalton had one other placer as Lane Hollis took third in the boys' Junior Division (ages 8-and-under). His time of 12:34.7 came while negotiating the 50-meter swim, 1-mile bike and .5 mile run.
Cody Dorsey, 16, a veteran triathlete from Locust Grove, gained acclaim with his 46:27 winning time in the boys' Senior Division.
“I normally do a triathlon every two weeks,” Dorsey said. “It was fun. It was pretty hot. The humidity was pretty high. You've got to push through it.”
Trailing Dorsey were Alexander Murfee of Atlanta (48:22) and Bryant Mathis of Calhoun (1:03.08).
Two Chattanooga visitors garnered other Intermediate boys' places as Henley Edge took first in 30:01 and Carter Edge third in 33:00.
Hannah Everest of Atlanta won the Intermediate girls in 29:46. Jane Tullis of Rome finished third in 33:18.
Anna Kate Loveman of Chattanooga eclipsed all participants in Junior action with an 11:06.90. Following her for the girls were Allie Workman of Calhoun (12:39.40) and Camilla Yoon of Decatur (12:40.30).
Silas Gartman of Chattanooga won the Junior boys in 12:19.20. Jack Earnest of Atlanta followed him in 12:24.40.
“We had great help from the city and recreation department,” director Rob Cushman praised. “All of our volunteers were great.”
Medals went to the placers. All participants received T-shirts and goodie bags.
