MORE than 80 young athletes from across the South West converged at Parklands and Okehampton College playing fields to take part in the first Zest West Devon Youth Aquathlon. Experienced athletes as well as first-timers sportingly competed over the swim and run courses. Parents, athletes and friends of Zest Youth Triathlon were out from 6am to prepare the course and from 9am they marshalled, timed the races and recorded results. The racing began with eight year olds in TriStart showing great spirit completing the 50m swim and 600m run. TriStar one, nine to ten year girls, then tackled 150m swim and 1500m run with Zest athlete Emily Ackford taking first place in 9mins and 17 seconds, just ahead of Megan Bassett from Kelly College. The Tristar one boys' race was led from start to finish by Jordan Channon from Zest followed in by fellow Zest member Matthew Green, both showing great early season form. Again from Zest, Hannah Greep overtook six athletes in the run to take first place in Tristar two girls with Alice Dixon from Frome in second. Reece Worth from Yelverton led throughout to win in Tristar two boys with Scott Jenkins from Somerset in second. TriStar three girls saw victory for national runner Naomi Speake from Seaton with Jess Wood from Somerset second. With a strong swim, Tiverton's Simon Cooper led from start to finish with Adam Speake running through fast to take second place. Kelly College athlete Rebecca Windamere overtook Plymouth Leanders' Emma Carter to win the youth girls, Emma held on to second place. Brett Bassett and Cameron Carpenter-Warren from Kelly College were strong throughout the youth boys to take first and second place. Excellent performances throughout the day also came from team members: Annabelle Evans, Beth Merriott, Jack Base, Ryan Helcoop, Lizzie Fearnley, Kate Marks, Molly Megicks, Sarah Hornby, Amy Marks, Will Carter, Tom Green, Rhys Merriott and Laura Aspen for Zest Youth Triathlon; Ella Ellis, Ben Dunlop, Harry Dunlop, Josh Boon, Daniel Gillard, Megan Bassett, Victoria Moore, Sam Every, Rosie Crosby and Thea Crosby for Kelly College; Sophie Anderson, James Anderson, and Pete Jarman for Tavistock Swimming Club; Claire Fraser and Alice Mills-Hicks for Tavistock Athletic Club as well as local athletes George Hillson and James Best. After an award was given to Tammy Messenger, from West Devon Borough Council, for her help and support she had given to Zest Youth Triathlon in its first two years, she presented the athletes' awards for the individual races. The TriStar one and TriStar three trophy went to Zest Youth Triathlon, the TriStar two and youth trophy to Kelly College. Race director Paul Chinn said: 'The participation of athletes from local schools and swimming clubs along with the sporting rivalry from British Triathlon members in the South West gave the event a great sense of community. 'We managed to cater for new to the sport as well as seasoned athletes. And, along with an amazing group of Zest volunteers, the support from local companies including the University of Exeter, Western Power, Active Co, The Original Pasty House, BS and JS Williams, Tecnica Europe, Certini, Dartmoor Cycles, Pens and Moor, Stokes, Ambrosia and Fat Face meant that the organisation and rewards equalled the quality of the competition.'
