Mira Costa senior captures Redondo Beach Triathlon title in first attempt

With final examinations beginning this week and a full schedule of graduation activities on the horizon, one couldn’t fault Ryan Reede if he decided to spend a weekend relaxing before entering the few remaining weeks of his high school career.

But there is no ditching of responsibilities for this Mira Costa senior. Reede is focused on a goal and it isn’t just moving the tassel on his mortarboard from the right to the left side. He wants to become a national champion triathlete and will spend three consecutive weekends competing in races – two of which are out of state – with his eyes on the USA Triathlon Junior National Championships in West Chester, Ohio in August.

After competing in Dallas, Reede participated in the Redondo Beach Triathlon for the first time Sunday, defeating two-time champion Jimmy Wills, of Redondo Beach, to claim the championship of the 8th annual event.

Reede, 18, of Manhattan Beach completed the 1/2-mile swim, 6-mile bike and 2- mile run in 41 minutes, 55 seconds, nearly a minute faster than Wills’ time of 42:51. Michael Collins, 46, of Irvine placed third at 43:43.

While many triathletes consider the swim the most difficult leg of the race, Reede’s aquatic experience gives him an edge. He competes for Swim Torrance and is a member of the Jr. Guard Cadet program. The Boston College-bound senior helped Mira Costa’s water polo team earn a No. 7 ranking and an appearance in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 Championships last fall and, more recently, was a member of the Mustang’s 400 freestyle relay team that reached the CIF Swimming finals.

“I came out of the water pretty well with two guys I know from racing, got my wetsuit off quickly and onto the bike where I held the lead,” Reede said. “The water was flat which I honestly would not have preferred. I like to have a little surf.”

Reede said the overcast made for good conditions, helping him win the Redondo Beach Triathlon in his first try.

“I felt really good and I hope to keep improving before the National Championships.”

Next weekend Reede will be in Seattle to compete in the TriMonroe Youth & Junior Elite Cup.

Swimming experience also paid off for Astrid Cybulskis. The 38-year-old Irvine resident took first in her age group and second overall with a time of 51:31. Although she was the first female to cross the finish line, Jane Esahak-Gage posted a faster time while competing in the second wave of racers.

The 50-year-old Phoenix resident finished at 50:02. Faye Moore, 37, of Palos Verdes Estates placed third overall with a mark of 51:40.

“This was my first time crossing the finish line first,” said a smiling Cybulskis. “I only started competing in triathlons three years ago but this was my fourth triathlon this year. I was a swimmer in high school and I swim for a masters club in Irvine, which I feel helped me tremendously. I was glad the water wasn’t too cold and there was a current that went in our favor.”

Finishing last – but certainly not least – in the sprint triathlon was 90-year-old Bill Bell. The former Redondo Beach resident who now resides in Palm Desert completed the course in 2:34:36.

Bell is a former Ironman competitor. Ironman participants must complete a grueling 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and a run a marathon (26.2 miles). When he announced his retirement in 2003 after the Kona Ironman, Bell had finished 32 Ironman races in his career which he didn’t begin until the age of 59.

Race Director Rick Crump escorted Bell into Veterans Park, encouraging him through the final yards of the course.

“That was an emotional moment for me,” said Crump, himself a triathlete who has competed in the Kona Ironman event. “This may have been the last race of a legend.”

Male age division winners included: Zane Grenoble (12, Playa Del Rey, 53:57), Duncan Reid (13-15, Rancho Palos Verdes, 46:20), Reede (16-19), Gonzalo Pulg (20-24, Montevideo, Uruguay, 45:10), Gabriel Angeloro (25-29, Montevideo, Uruguay, 43;51), Wills (30-34), Torrey Radcliffe (35-39, Torrance, 46:24), Erich Van Straien (40-44, Malibu, 44:28), Collins (45-49), Mike Lyle (50-54, Carlsbad, 45:09), Lawrence Tarte (60-64, Manhattan Beach, 54:06), Lou Briones (65-69, Los Angeles, 54:39), Larry Senn (75-89, Sunset Beach, 1:37:17) and Bill Bell (90-99, Palm Desert, 2:34:36).

Females winning their age groups were: Maria Muslea (13-15, El Segundo, 53:19), Paige Handy (16-19, Woodland Hills, 52:51), Courtney Stockmal, (20-24, Playa Del Rey, 56:36), Alyssa Geraghty (25-29, Newport Beach, 58:41), Cheryl Sweeney (30-34, Santa Monica, 52:32), Cybulskis (35-39), Kelly Trudgen (40-44, Hermosa Beach, 57:18), Karina Bird (45-49, Redondo Beach, 59:21), Esahak-Gage (50-54), Janice Akins (55-59, Cypress, 1:06:48) and Cher Olson (60-64, Los Angeles, 1:35:05).

Christopher Mejou, of Torrance, won the Clydesdale division with a time of 51:51. Krystin Murray, of Torrance, took top honors in the Athena competition with a mark of 1:06:48.

In Mountain Bike competition, Cody Biernat of Torrance won the men’s division with a time of 56:17 and Kelly Cabal, of Costa Mesa, won the women’s title at 58:11.

For complete results, visit www.geminitiming.com.

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