Young athletes battle heat in triathlon, golf tourney

Beating the heat was no easy feat on Saturday.

But young athletes nonetheless braved the weather to compete in a pair of events offered for juniors by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department -- a youth triathlon and a golf tournament

Greg Gibson of Jackson topped a field of 33 participants in the 17th annual Youth Triathlon.

The triathlon and a half-mile run attracted 55 participants.

"This is the most I have ever had for this event," Amy Roth of the Parks and Recreation Department wrote in an e-mail with the event results.

Gibson completed the 300-meter swim, 2-mile bike ride and 1-mile run in 17 minutes, 42 seconds.

Other boys triathlon winners included Joseph Gray of Jackson in ages 9 to 12; Sam Gramling of Cape in ages 13 to 15 and Brandon Etzoldt of Perryville in ages 16 to 18.

Female winners were Kelly Litzelfelner for ages 9 through 12 and Cailin McGinnis for ages 13 through 15. Both are from Jackson.

The Chaffee trio of Dillon Williams, Kamryn Johnson and Dustin Johnson claimed the 9 to 12 boys team division title with a time of 21:58, while Brianna Gray, Montana Adams and Cassie Simpher of Jackson won the 13 to 15 girls race in 21:07.

Hayes tops field in golf

Eric Hayes of Cape Girardeau coasted to victory in the largest field -- nine entrants -- at the Cape Elks No. 639 Junior Championship at Cape Jaycee Municipal Golf Course.

Hayes scored a 68, including two eagles on the back nine, to win the 10 to 12 boys division by 15 strokes. Tanner Werner was second with an 83.

T.J. Reid of Jackson won the 16 to 18 boys division with an 81, edging Zach Richardet by a stroke.

Brett Slaten of Kelso won the 13 to 15 boys division with an 84, while Alex Reid was second at 85.

Brittney Choate of Jackson won the 10 to 12 girls division with a 119, and Kaitlin Welter of Cape Girardeau won the 7 to 9 girls with a 51 over nine holes.

Travis Simmons of Jackson won the 7 to 9 boys title with a 45.

YOUTH TRIATHLON

Boys overall winner--Greg Gibson, Jackson, 17:42

Girls overall winner--Hannah Kinder, Cape, 21:17

Boys

Age divisions

9-12--1. Joseph Gray, Jackson, 19:30; 2. Connor McGinnis, Jackson, 19:48; 3. Matt Gibson, 20:40; 4. Daniel Lockhert, Kennett, 21:11; 5. Wyatt Larson, Cape, 21:37; 6. Blake Gerlock, Carterville (Ill.), 23:29; 7. Will Kinder, Cape, 23:49; 8. Tyler Bollinger, Chaffee, 23:55; 9. William Zoughaib, Ste. Genevieve, 25:19; 10. Roy Leighton, Cape, 26:00; 11. Brandon Horman, Whitewater, 30:40

13-15--1. Sam Grambling, Cape, 18:36; 2. Ryan Gibson, Jackson, 20:06; 3. Andrew Etzoldt, Perryville, 21:00; 4. Logan Bollinger, Chaffee, 24:46; 5. J.C. Reeves, Whitewater, 36:58

16-18--1. Brandon Etzoldt, Perryville, 20:59

Team divisions

9-12--1. Dillon Williams, Chaffee; Kamryn Johnson, Chaffee; Dustin Johnson, Chaffee, 21:58

Girls

Age divisions

9-12--1. Kelly Litzelfelner, Jackson, 21:18.51; 2. Amanda Whitlow, Jackson, 21:18.78; 3. Jackey Lockhert, Kennett, 22:17; 4. Jennifer Lockhert, Kennett, 22:21; 5. Amy Ennis, Cape, 25:26; 6. Iliana Arevale, Cape, 27:46; 7. Molly Kinder, Cape, 28:14; 8. Hannah Heuring, Cape, 34:06; 9. Lauren Barr, Jackson, 34:35; 10. Alexia Phillips, Cape, 35:01; 11. Kimberly Horman, Whitewater, 40:58

13-15--1. Cailin McGinnis, Jackson, 20:21; 2. Lauren Castleman, Scott City, 24:21; 3. Paige Kinder, Cape, 26:33

Team divisions

13-15--1. Brianna Gray, Jackson; Montana Adams, Jackson; Cassie Simpher, Jackson, 21:07

KIDS HALF-MILE RUN

Boys overall winner--William Zoughaib, Ste. Genevieve, 3:40

Girls overall winner--Jackey Lockhert, Kennett, 3:31

Boys

4-6--1. Luke Lockhert, Kennett, 5:11

7-9--1. Brandon Simpher, Jackson, 3:52; 2. Joshua Seabaugh, Cape, 4:06; 3. Ethan Hunter, Cape, 4:24; 4. Kaleb Barr, Jackson, 5:59

Girls

4-6--1. Jessie Gant, Scott City, 5:34; 2. Zoie Roth, Cape, 6:33; 3. Emily Kellum, Cape, 7:08; 4. Molly Phegley, Cape, 10:25

7-9--1. Breanne Etzold, Perryville, 3:42.04; 2. Rylie Gant, Scott City, 3:42.87; 3. Marissa Jones, Sikeston, 3:53; 4. Mary Smith, Cape, 4:44; 5. Salia Hamilton, Cape, 4:48

CAPE ELKS JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Boys

7-9 -- 1. Travis Simmons, Jackson, 45; 2. Christian Spencer 54; 3. Karson King, 56.

10-12 -- 1. Eric Hayes, Cape Girardeau, 68; 2, Tanner Werner, 83; 3. Tyler Arpin, 92.

13-15 -- 1. Brett Slaten, Kelso, 84; 2. Alex Reid, 85; 3. Tim Simmons, 99.

16-18 -- 1. T.J. Reid, Jackson, 81; 2. Zach Richardet, 82; 3. Jared Choate, 95.

Girls

7-9-- 1. Kaitlin Welter, Cape Girardeau, 51.

10-12 -- 1. Brittney Choate, Jackson, 119; Kelly Welker, 121.