SF Juniors Excel at Du Nats

Sport Factory Coach Holly Marzetti has always had a knack for bringing out the best in young people, whether at the school where she is a teacher, or with the junior multisport athletes that she coaches and mentors. Holly was beaming with pride as the results came rolling in from The National Duathlon Festival in Richmond, VA on April 26^th, 2009, and with good reason- one of her athletes had taken the Junior National title.

Katie June, at the ripe old age of 16, has accomplished more in her young athletic career than most will aspire to in a lifetime.  Katie can now add “Junior National Champion” to her list. She won the 5K ,Run, 17K Bike, and 2.5K Run by almost five minutes, and beating well over half of the boys in the overall results. Katie’s accomplishments are undoubtedly a result of her hard work and dedication. Coach Holly Marzetti notes, “Katie is able to push herself both physically and mentally. She had a great off-season to prepare for the Short Course Championship, coming off of a high school track season with speed in her legs. Katie has also been training with power on the bike, and her bike strength has steadily increased leading up to this race.”

Another one of Marzetti’s athletes, Tyler Campbell, age 18, also had a standout day. Tyler raced the Age Group National Championship, which covers a distance of 10K Run, 38K Bike, and 5K Run. Tyler made the podium, finishing third in his age group, and locking in a slot for the Duathlon World Championship.

Coach Holly Marzetti says, “Tyler is one of those kids that is simply a joy to work with. He always has a great attitude, and is willing to work very hard. He is remarkably compliant and accurate in is training.  His pacing throughout out the race made for some negative splits on the run and on the three-loop bike course.  Tyler paced well and stayed within the pacing strategy that we laid out.  He was then able to negative split the second 5K. Teaching Tyler to be patient paid off well in a World Championship spot.”

In the Youth National Championship, which consisted of a 1K Run, a 4K Bike, and1K Run, Alex Marshall finished 3^rd in the 13-15 age group. Alex and his brother Clay were practically raised in the sport, since parents Lisa and Keith are both competitive athletes and Sport Factory team members.

We are very proud of our junior athletes and look forward to supporting their bright futures in the sport!