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Triathletes from across the country ran, swam and biked at Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio, this past weekend at the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships.

Overall, according to USA Triathlon officials, the event featured a record field with nearly 700 triathletes.

“West Chester is a great location for this event,” said Jeff Dyrek, USA Triathlon’s national events director. “We’ve had great support from the community and all of the groups we’ve been working with. The athletes, their parents, the spectators and coaches have helped us make this event a success.”

On Sunday, Matthew Marquardt of Cincinnati won the male 13-to-15-year-old division – finishing the 200-meter swim, 10k bike and 2k run in 29:03 minutes. Thomas Carney of Liberty Township finished 15th in the same competition with a time of 32:46 minutes.

On Saturday, the Youth Elite and Junior Elite races featured some of nation’s best triathletes. The 16-to-19-year-old Junior Elites covered a 750m swim, a 20k bike and a 5k run while the 13-15-year-old Youth Elites did a 375m swim, 10k bike and 2.5k run.

For complete results and additional information about the event, visit usatriathlon.org.

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Triathletes from across the country will convene on Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio, this weekend for the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships. Some have been training in hopes to earn automatic nominations to the Junior Worlds team, while some beginners just hope to finish.

Among the event’s group of beginners are Maggie and Jonny Mize of Liberty Township. Both saw the event as interesting and challenging, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness for Kids Against Hunger, a charity they are both passionate about.

In the past, both Maggie, 14, and Jonny, 13, have participated in several local food-packaging efforts and recently they authored an e-book called “Mariella, the Cheerful, Helpful Hamster” from which they donate a portion of the proceeds to Kids Against Hunger.

Throughout their several months of training, Maggie and Jonny have become more fit and increased their stamina. The experience has also gotten their parents out to the park for runs and bike exercise.

You can cheer them on this weekend – they’ll be wearing “Kids Against Hunger” t-shirts – and the more than 700 triathletes, ages 7 to 19, competing in the Youth, Youth Elite and Junior Elite categories at the USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships. (more…)

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For the second straight weekend, West Chester’s Voice of America Park will host a national championship competition.

This past weekend it was the WWA Wakeboard National Championships and beginning this Saturday and concluding on Sunday, VOA Park will host the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships.

More than 700 triathletes, ranging from beginners to potential future Olympians, will compete in the event. The athletes, ages 7 to 19, will compete in Youth, Youth Elite and Junior Elite categories.

According to the Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB), the event is expected to draw more than 1,600 visitors and bring in an estimated $500,000.

“We are excited to be a part of this prestigious youth sporting event,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the BCVB. “To have a sporting event of this magnitude come to our county will be a great boost for the local economy.”

The event runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday. It is free and open to the public.

Due to the nature of the event, which includes running, swimming and cycling, there will be some road closures in the vicinity of VOA Park.

Cox Road between Liberty Way and the northern most entrance to the VOA Retail Centre will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days of the event. In addition, Liberty Way between Cox Road and Butler Warren Road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each day. Emergency traffic only will be permitted during these times.

Access to all businesses will be maintained from Tylersville and Cox Road (south of VOA Park Drive). Motorists are encouraged to follow all posted detours while driving and to allow extra time to reach their destinations.

USA Triathlon is seeking volunteers, who will receive a free USA Triathlon volunteer t-shirt, meals and beverages, to help with the event. To sign up, visit http://usatriathlon.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=958.

For more information about the event, visit usatriathlon.org.

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World Sports & Marketing in conjunction with the Butler County Visitors Bureau announced Wednesday that Voice of America Park in West Chester Township will be the location for the 2012 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships.

It will be the first time in the event’s 23-year history that it will be held in the state of Ohio. The National Championships is scheduled to take place Aug. 2-5.

“We’re excited to bring the Nautique WWA Nationals to the Voice of America Park,” tournament director Chris Bischoff said in a release. “The park has the layout, vibe and local support we’re looking for to host an event of this magnitude.”

During the four-day event, West Chester expects to welcome more than 200 competitive riders, professional and amateur, from across the United States to compete in 22 skill-level divisions for national titles.

Results will establish the athletes to represent the United States at the WWA Wakeboard World Championships later this year.

“We are excited to host this prestigious professional event. To have West Chester serve as a host for a such exceptional event will have a tremendous economic impact for the venue, local businesses, hotels, restaurants, attractions and shopping venues.” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the Butler County Visitors Bureau.

For more information on the 2012 Nautique WWA Nationals, visit KingofWake.com.

Also in August, Voice of America Park will host the 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championships.

The triathlon event will take place Aug. 11-12 and has an estimated economic impact of $700,000, according to the Butler County Visitors Bureau. Visit usatriathlon.org for full event details.

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Tags: Tags: 2012 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12 West Chester, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship West Chester, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Jeff Dyrek, Judi Boyko, Judith Boyko, Mark Hecquet, USA Triathlon, USA Triathlon West Chester, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wakeboard National Championships West Chester

The Butler County Visitors Bureau announced Tuesday that Voice of America Park in West Chester will host the 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championships Aug. 11-12.

“We are thrilled to serve as the host for this National Championship,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the BCVB. “With an expected 600 competitors and their families the economic impact will be felt across the county through our hotels, restaurants, attractions and shopping venues.”

According to the Butler County Visitors Bureau, the economic impact of the two-day event is estimated at $700,000. Jason Williams, the visitors bureau’s senior sports sales manager, said there were a number of cities across the U.S. vying to host this event.

“To have a sporting event of this magnitude and prestige come to West Chester is very exciting” said Judi Boyko, West Chester Township Administrator. “We look forward to hosting these athletes and their families during this two day event.”

The Youth Elite (ages 13-15) and Junior Elite (ages 16-19) National Championships will take place on the second day of the event. Other races will involve the nation’s top up-and-coming triathletes ages 7-19.

“USA Triathlon is excited to bring the Junior and Youth National Championship to West Chester,” said Jeff Dyrek, national events director of USA Triathlon. “This event offers a race for athletes ranging from first-time youth triathletes to the nation’s future Olympic hopefuls. We’ve experienced record participation numbers in recent years and hope to achieve the same in Ohio.”

Visit usatriathlon.org for full event details. Registration opens Jan. 12.

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