Centennial SUBARU’s corporate sponsorship of the Diamond Kid 12th Annual Junior Triathlon and Kids Races on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, brought youngsters together to compete and have fun swimming, running and riding their bikes. The triathlon took place at Blue Diamond Pool and Park in Blue Diamond, NV, where Centennial Subaru also had a booth and SUV on display. Centennial SUBARU gave a $6,000 sponsorship to benefit Save Red Rock, a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural, cultural, recreational and scenic resources in and around the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to ensure natural resource sustainability and promote responsible recreational enjoyment for all user groups now and for future generations.

“We sincerely appreciate Centennial SUBARU’s Love Promise support,” Heather Fisher, President of Save Red Rock, said. “We would also like to thank our vendors, police and fire and county departments who helped out, along with all the volunteers.” “Most of all, we want to thank the new-generation 2023 Diamond Kids themselves,” Fisher added. “They were amazing! We made shirts that said, ’Shine Bright Like A Diamond Kid,’ and they did not disappoint! They lit up our little village with infectious enthusiasm. They resurrected the sport of triathlon, after a long pandemic pause with a fresh, exciting new burst of energy. Watch out! We’ll be back!”

Featured activities and race-times results include:

• Junior Sprint Triathlon,
Female ages 5-6, First Place, Alina Groves, 23:29; Second Place, Natalie Ewell, 35:54; and Third Place, Lilyana Martinez, 44:30;
Female ages 7-8, First Place, Amelia Acquafredda, 14:29; Second Place, Rubi Van Wagoner, 23:46; and Third Place, Lily McLaughlin, 28:20;
Female ages 9-10, First Place, Allison Dressler, 17:46; Second Place, Julia Acquafredda, 19:27; Third Place, Sophia Trillo, 19:46;
Female 11-12, First Place, Sienna Moorhead, 19:51; Second Place, Jadyn Lexi Gallego, 21:22; and Third Place, Riley Bunch, 22:27;
Male ages 5-6, First Place, Elijah Lorenzo, 18:11; Second Place, Rumi McLaughlin, 24:56;
Male ages 7-8, First Place, Cade Walker, 16:22; Second Place, Austin Blubaugh, 18:24; and Third Place, Gabriel Groves, 18:35;
Male ages 9-10, First Place, Ethan Reed, 19:28; Second Place, Benjamin Lukas Timonera, 24:20; and Third Place, Jordan Taylor, 25:34;
Male ages 11-12, First Place Tate Bunker, 17:03; Second Place, Domingo Timonera, 17:18; Third Place, Cameron Gifford, 17:31.

• Junior Long Triathlon,
Female ages 9-10, First Place, Kennedy Bourke, 37:42; Second Place, Brooklyn Bourke, 38:39; Third Place, Clare Gray, 39:40;
Female ages 11-12, First Place, Oakley Van Wagoner, 35:32; Second Place, Sequoia Fisher, 44:26; Third Place, Lillian John, 45:28;
Female 13-14, First Place, Cameron Kiesel, 39:00; Second Place, Kally Bunch, 40:41; Third Place, Abby Zeigler, 42:47;
Female ages 15-17, Thalia Huygens, 42:16;
Male ages 9-10, First Place, Alex Ceballes, 33:50; Second Place, Aiden Schlingman, 35:19; Third Place, Max Edington, 38:33;
Male ages 11-12, First Place, Yan Shacham, 33:31; Second Place, Mason Rongratana, 37:59, Third Place, Spencer Gray, 40:24;
Male ages 13-14, First Place Giulio Margutti, 26:59; Second Place, Mitchell Bunn, 28:14; Third Place, Aiden Moellenhoff, 30:12;
Male ages 15-17, First Place, Thomas Delaney, 28:29; Second Place, Gavin Kiesel, 32:37; Third Place, Cain Walker, 33:01.

Other events that took place included:
• Parent-Assist Triathlon, ages 5-10 plus one parent or guardian, 25-50-yard swim, 1 to 2 laps bike ride and 1/2 mile run.
• Fun Run and Strider Ride, ages 2-10, 1/2 mile run or strider ride with or without parent.
• Diaper Dash – ages 0-2.

“A lot of kids who participated in these past triathlons are athletes now,” Fisher said. “They are on college swim and bike teams. These races encourage kids to be athletes and become motivated and dedicated. They learn to set goals, and this gives them a feeling of accomplishment.“