Big Lake Triathlon is family, friendly competition

BIG LAKE — Haylie Hellman, 11, wasn’t in first place when she climbed out of the water Sunday morning after completing the swimming portion for the HTB’s Team in the 11th annual Big Lake Triathlon.

Clad in just a green swimsuit, the girl left the water to applause and cheers from the small crowd of onlookers and competitors at Burkeshore Marina.

“There goes a real Alaskan girl,” said announcer Michael Janecek.

Race organizer Ina Mueller said Hellman’s family owns a cabin in Big Lake and she grew up swimming in the lake’s cold water, which was a teeth-chattering 62 degrees for Sunday’s swim.

Although her team won the Red Lantern award, Mueller said Hellman’s swim time was noteworthy.

“She beat six adults with her time. That was pretty impressive to me,” Mueller said.

Hellman said she practiced swimming in the cold lake water just about every day last week so her body sort of got used to the water temperature.

“It was actually pretty refreshing,” she said.

The elementary school student said she is already looking forward to next year’s race and plans to ask around her school and see if she can put together a team for next year.

This year, she did the swimming leg, family friend Tammy Oswald did the bike leg and mom Becky Hellman ran the final leg. They won the Red Lantern award with a time of 1:43.43.

Also competing as a family team was Rockin’ Ruthless, made up of Yvonne, Brian and Aspen Ruth, who finished in 17th place.

And going head to head in the individual competition were father and son Donald and Jared Berberich. Jared finished in 12th place, ahead of his father, who finished 18th.

Jared Berberich was the top finisher from the Mat-Su Valley and Palmer’s Pam Winders finished first among local female athletes and 14th overall. Palmer’s Carla Goldberg was the next fastest Valley woman, finishing in 16th with a time of 1:33:57.

Leading the pack of 23 were familiar names — in order of finish — like Jens Beck, Jason Lamoreaux, Michael Bakker, Brian Richardson and Shannon Titzel, who was the first female competitor to finish.

Big Lake Triathlon

Individual results:

1. Jens Beck 57 minutes, 57.28 seconds; 2. Jason Lamoreaux 1:01:20.67; 3. Michael Bakker 1:05:47.95; 4. Brian Richardson 1:11:32.54; 5. Shannon Tizel 1:13:41.5; 6. Joseph Hunter 1:14:14.58; 7. Jeff Campbell 1:14:33.75; 8. Cory Lehl 1:18:32.88; 9. Michael Dietz 1:23:04.12; 10. Hugh Denny 1:23:36.96; 11. Jared Berberich 1:26:49.29; 12. Michelle Dietz 1:23:57.92; 13. Pam Winders 1:28:12.86; 14. Vanessa McDonald 1:31:28.01; 15. Carla Goldberg 1:33:57.61; 16. Donald Berberich 1:34:43.16; 17. Cheryl Campbell 1:36:27.54; 18. Susie Dietz 1:37:03.70; 19. Julie Denny 1:39:07.49; 20. Julie Denny 1:39:07.49; 22. Peter VanDyne 1:43:42.42.

Team results:

1. Die Tri’in (Jeromie Sandall, Ken Fitzgerald, John Sears) 1:19:42.35; 2. Rockin’ Ruthless (Yvonne Ruth, Brian Ruth, Aspen Ruth) 1:34:03; 3. HTB’s (Haylie Hellman, Tammy Oswald (Beck Hellman) 1:43:43.42.

Contact Heather A. Resz at heather.resz@frontiersman.com or 352-2268.