Story by Anastasia Benstead, Culture Editor
Photo Credit: Kristy Hepp
Aquinas Saints made history this past Saturday when a record number of swimmers signed up and completed the Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Sprint Triathlon. Even with a very enticing reward of getting to write the swim workout to anyone who beat coach Kristen Hepp in the triathlon, no student was able to manage. Coach Kristy performed amazingly coming in 19th place overall with a time of 1:10.21. Only five minutes slower than the 1st place finisher! Cesar Robles was the next Saint to cross the finish line at a soaring time of 1:14.24 finishing 39th out of the entire triathlon.
Other saint successes include a complete sweep of the Men’s 19 and under category with Conrad Eichbauer medaling as he took 3rd place on the podium, with Collin Neely and Ian Clapp not far behind in the 4th and 5th place positions. In the women’s division Claire Hines also brought home a 3rd place medal as she strode across the finish line with a time of 1:29.55! A shout out to Anna Benstead as well, who due to a sports related injury was not able to compete in the biking portion of the event was able to have a phenomenal time competing in a relay with her brother Oscar. They completed the race with a time of 1:25.01. Thank you as well to all of the Saints who got up early to volunteer at the event, and cheer on their fellow teammates. Mention also should go to Braden Augustine, an alumni swimmer who sailed across the finish line with a time of 1:16.16
A complete list of Saints and their finishing time:
Kristen Hepp: 1:10.21
Cesar Robles: 1:14.24
Braden Augustine: 1:16.16
Conrad Eichbauer: 1:16.33
Collin Neely: 1:17.16
Ian Clapp: 1:18.23
Grant Bricking: 1:24.33
Anna Benstead (with teammate, Oscar) 1:25.01
Claire Hines: 1:29.55
Sawyer Shank: 1:30.18
Collin Alward: 1:32.03
Luke Martin: 1:33.19
Ella Althahver: 1:33.47
Ben Szydlowski: 1:20.37
Photo Credits: Kristy Hepp, Claire Hines, and The Editor
The Saint 