Recreation Briefs: Dartmouth Trio Makes World Triathlon Finals

Omaha, Neb. — Three members of Dartmouth College’s triathlon club program have invitations to next year’s world championships as a result of their age-group performances as the USA Triathlon national championship on Aug. 12-13.

Katie Clayton, Sonia Rowley and Emma Sklaring all recorded top-25 finishes in their women’s 20-24 age group Olympic-distance race to reach worlds. Clayton, of Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., led the charge by taking seventh place in 2 hours, 26 minutes, 54 seconds. Rowley, of Lexington, Mass., was 16th (2:32:04), and Sklarin, a native of San Francisco, was 25th in the division (2:39:37). A total of 52 women competed in the division.

The world championships are scheduled in September 2018 for Australia.

Three Upper Valley men also competed in their Olympic-distance age groups at Omaha. Enfield’s Mike Libuda was 21st among men ages 65-69 (2:51:31), Grantham’s Thomas Gessner took 26th among men 50-54 (2:21:48) and Hanover’s Harrison Chapman was 22nd in the men’s 20-24 division (2:16:20).

Norwich’s Jeff Reed, who serves as a coach of the Dartmouth squad, competed in the sprint distance at nationals and took seventh place in the men’s 60-64 division (1:13:52).

Hartstein, Meritei Top Mont Tremblant Athletes

Mont-Tremblant, Quebec — Hanover’s Kevin Hartstein recorded a top-five age-group result and Hanover’s Attila Meritei earned a spot at the Ironman world championship finals with their performances at Sunday’s Ironman Mont Tremblant race at the Quechee ski resort.

Racing in the men’s 25-29 division, Hartstein finished the route in 10 hours, 3 minutes, 30 seconds to claim fifth in the age group. Hartstein accomplished his time despite having to deal with a flat tire on the first loop of the bicycle course.

Meritei is bound for October’s Ironman world finals in Kona, Hawaii, as a result of his Tremblant race. Maritei, competing among men ages 45-49, recorded an overall time of 10:26:56 to take sixth place in the division and earn the invitation to Kona.

Five other Upper Valley athletes competed at Mont Tremblant:

Robert Gill, Norwich, 11:44:25 (63rd among men ages 35-39).

Vanessa Garlick, Hanover, 11:55:15 (11th among women 30-34).

Taylor Hartstein, Hanover, 11:58:18 (50th among men 25-29).

Cara Baskin, Etna, 12:43:47 (17th among women 25-29).

Taylor Black, Lebanon, 11:14:34 (32nd among men 25-29).

WRJ’s Albert Third At Lake Dunmore

Brandon, Vt. — White River Junction’s Mariana Lara Albert raced to a third-place finish among all women at the Vermont Sun Triathlon Series race at Lake Dunmore on Aug. 13.

The 42-year-old Albert stayed near the front of the pack throughout the race, eventually completing the course in 2 hours, 33 minutes, 36.2 seconds. Lindsay Roskelley, of Falmouth, Maine, won the event in 2:29:05.6. Competitors swam nine-10ths of a mile before finishing the triathalon with a 28-mile bike ride and 10-kilometer run.

Hanover’s David Sobel also had a strong race at Lake Dunmore. The 52-year-old finished in 3:11:03.9 to claim second place in the men’s 50-54 age division.

On the Tee

Spark Tourney Saturday

Lebanon — The Spark Community Center is seeking golfers of all abilities to take part in its annual golf tournament on Saturday at Carter Country Club in Lebanon.

Anyone can play in the nine-hole scramble tournament, which will have a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Food will follow the tournament, which costs $50 per person. Golfers can make up their own groups and show up at Carter and be placed in a foursome. Team prizes and a raffle will close the day.

Proceeds from the event to toward Spark, which serves 59 Upper Valley towns with programs and opportunities for adults with special needs.

Online registration is available through www.sparkcommunitycenter.com. For more information, contact Spark’s Sue Moretti at jsjsmoretti@comcast.net or by calling the center at 603-678-8619.

Hartford Hockey Classic

Randolph, Vt. — The Hartford High School ice hockey program will host its 18th Greater Hartford Hockey Classic on Oct. 7 at Montague Golf Club.

The annual 18-hole scramble tournament helps fund the Hurricanes’ varsity hockey programs. The team fee of $240 includes greens fees for a foursome along with prizes and a post-tournament dinner. Registration begins at 11 a.m., with a shotgun competition start of noon.

Dinner, awards and prizes will take place at 4:30 p.m.

The tournament will be held rain or shine. Contact Hartford High boys hockey coach Todd Bebeau at 802-296-6068 for more information.

On the Run

Sprouty Run Set

Sharon — Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to join in the annual Sprouty, a 10K and 5K road race, on Sept. 9 at Sharon Elementary School.

The race starts at 9 a.m. and costs $20 for the 10K and $15 for the 5K (prices increase after Aug. 24). Commemorative T-shirts go to the first 150 registrants through Sept. 2. A free kids fun run is set for 10:15 a.m. Refreshments and music will be part of the day along with awards for the top three men and women in both races.

Proceeds from the race support Sharon Elementary’s farm-to-school program. More information is available at thesprouty.com.

HCRS 5K in Sept.

White River Junction — Springfield, Vt.-based Health Care and Rehabilitation Services will celebrate its 50th anniversary by hosting a 5K road race and fun run on Sept. 10 at Hartford High School.

Registration for the race begins at 9 a.m., with the 5K run/walk set for an 10:30 a.m. sendoff. Those less inclined for distance can participate in a half-mile fun run starting at 10 a.m., with all involved earning medals.

The cost of the road race is $20; runners registering by Sunday will get a T-shirt and goodie bag. Water and refreshments will be provided for all competitors at the race, prizes will go to top age-group athletes and raffle prizes will be on offer as well.

Online registration is available at www.hcrs.org or by calling HCRS at 802-886-4567, ext. 2191 or emailing abradeen@hcrs.org.

On the Mat

Blue Wave Classes Start

Hanover — The fall session of classes for Hanover Blue Wave tae kwon do will kick off on Aug. 29 at the Black Community Center.

Classes in the traditional Korean martial art will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Children ages 7 and up meet at 5:30 p.m., with adult lessons following at 6:30 p.m. Participants learn such skills as board breaking, trick kicks and Olympic-style sparring under the tutelage of black-belt masters Linda Smith-Blais and Stephen Hopkins. Visitors are welcome to observe any class.

For more information, email hanoverbluewave@gmail.com or call 603-306-9132.

On the Court

Harlem Wizards Game

Langdon, n.h. — Fall Mountain Regional High School’s Class of 2020 will host the Harlem Wizards comedy basketball team for a fundraising game on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at FMRHS.

Student tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door, while adulst admission is $12 in advance and $14 on game night. In addition to spots around town, tickets can be purchased online at harlemwizards.thundertix.com.