Young loves first taste of triathlon at Trail of Tears triathlon

It took one triathlon for Zach Young to get hooked.

The 28-year old Southeast Missouri State student finished the Coors Light Trail of Tears triathlon in 2 hours, 25 minutes, 38.4 seconds Saturday.

Young, who lost the use of his legs after a motorcycle accident in October 2005, became the first paraplegic to compete in the event's 22-year history, according to the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.

"It was about two months ago when I heard about the triathlon this year," Young said. "It was kind of presented to me by my father, and I just took it from there, took the challenge on and started training for swimming. I already had the biking down."

Young said he rode his bike about four or five times a week, while swimming three days each week in preparation. It turns out the biking was the most difficult Saturday.

"The hills are killer out there," he said. "I sat at the bottom [of the biggest hill on the biking portion] and looked at it for like three minutes. I had to psych myself up to get up that thing. It's pretty rough."

He finished the 700-meter swim in 22:21.48, the 15-mile bike in 1:12.04 and the 4-mile run, which he completed in his wheelchair, in 37:49.04.

"Just fitness alone, staying healthy alone, in that aspect, it kind of makes the rest of your life in a wheelchair better," Young said. "Everyday tasks are easier and I don't get sick like I used to. Self-esteem wise, it's great."

Young said he already is looking into scheduling his next race.

"I think I'm addicted to it," he said. "I'm going to have to keep on training for the next one, for next spring."

Barry Knight of Paducah, Ky., won the race in 1:11.33.

Titia Luise King of Columbia, Mo., was the top female finisher, covering the course in 1:18.29.

MALE

Overall -- 1. Barry Knight 1:11:33.2; 2. Lukas Vaclavik 1:16:23.3; 3. Clay Jenkins 1:17:12.8

19 and younger -- 1. Peter Bailey 1:29:58.4; 2. David Scott Brooks II 1:39:57.8; 3. Gavin Hart 1:46:45.0

20 to 24 -- 1. Kevin Wollard 1:20:01.4; 2. David Welker 1:20:54.2; 3. Nicholas Jennewein 1:23:57.8

25 to 29 -- 1. Joey Steska 1:27:37.9; 2. Steven Rollins 1:35:52.6; 3. Tom Spears 1:38:48.1

30 to 34 -- 1. Clay Pope 1:26:51.8; 2. Curtis Drake 1:28:35.2; 3. Adam Elsey 1:31:34.4

35 to 39 -- 1. Brian Rodenbeck 1:21:16.6; 2. Clayton Cummings 1:22:55.5; 3. Todd Roth 1:26:56.9

40 to 44 -- 1. Michael Ross 1:19:13.6; 2. Andy Graham 1:24:07.6; 3. Terry Mort 1:24:11.0

45 to 49 -- 1. Robert Montani 1:20:43.3; 2. George Love 1:28:21.3; 3. Steve Sherling 1:28:25.4

50 to 54 -- 1. Bobby Terrell 1:23:24.7; 2. Timothy Jones 1:24:35.6; 3. Dean Edrington 1:33:41.9

55 to 59 -- 1. Jim Cisco 1:29:24.4; 2. Ken Poelker 1:41:54.5; 3. Don Bitter 1:53:47.2

60 to 64 -- 1. Alan Shearon 1:25:58.1; 2. Jim Harris 1:40:27.4; 3. Don Hager 1:40:58.4

70 and older -- 1. Ed Wolfgram 2:43:57.9

FEMALE

Overall -- 1. Titia Luise King 1:18:29.3; 2. Helen Alexander-Kratz 1:24:36.5; 3. Donna Hickey 1:28:11.3

19 and younger -- 1. Rachel McDonald 1:45:37.7; 2. Coco Bollig 2:04:44.5; 3. Elissa Pense 2:19:37.4

25 to 29 -- 1. Courtney Munson 1:32:08.0; 2. Katie Ancell 1:37:54.6; 3. Angela Welker 1:40:30.0

30 to 34 -- 1. Andria Van Mierlo 1:38:05.0; 2. Megan Watson 1:49:12.4; 3. Hollie Birkholz 1:49:44.1

35 to 39 -- 1. Amy Vanessendelft 1:41:03.5; 2. Regina Kaplan-Rakowski 1:43:48.5; 3. Heather Pennington 1:48:10.8

40 to 44 -- 1. Stacey Hyde 1:32:53.4; 2. Jackie Peck 1:52:54.7; 3. Heather Bruschi 1:53:02.0

45 to 49 -- 1. Heidi Fischer 1:31:22.4; 2. Rhonda Welden 1:47:07.5

50 to 54 -- 1. Karen Hand 1:39:32.7; 2. Bobbie Oakes 1:54:01.5; 3. Mary Talbut 2:02:10.0

55 to 59 -- 1. Kay Hathcock 2:07:39.0; 2. Donna Freer 2:51:19.8

60 to 64 -- 1. Tertia King 1:44:06.3

TEAM

Male -- 1. Shelton-Adams-Duperier 1:41:59.9

Female -- 1. Dehner-Manche 1:27:20.1; 2. Wolfgram-Bright 2:04:53.9

Coed -- 1. Bailey-Bailey-Bailey 1:31:22.9; 2. Leckie-Leckie 1:46:58.0; 3. Mertz-Welden 1:50:31.8