Lawrence youth among many who stood tall at triathlon

When Zach Andregg hit the starting block at the pool at the Lawrence Aquatic Center during the IronKids triathlon Sept. 17, he was prepared.

Twelve-year-old Andregg took to the pool along with hundreds of others with hopes of landing a spot on the medal podium at the end of the event.

His preparation paid off, as he found himself on the medal stand adorned with a bronze medal.

The preparation Andregg used to get to the medal stand was a few years in the making.

Andregg has been swimming for the past few years with the Lawrence Aquahawks and used all his time in the pool to help prepare him for the triathlon.

And to back up his experience with the Aquahawks, Andregg swam a couple days a week with the Aquahawks and started biking and running a few weeks before the IronKids triathlon.

Andregg’s medal was in the senior division of the event, which consisted of boys ages 12 to 14.

The Lawrence native was one of a number of local youths who found themselves in the same place as Andregg, including Logan Sloan, who nabbed a silver medal in the same group.

Zach Andregg of Lawrence displays his bronze medal he received at Sunday's Iron Kids triathlon.

The IronKids meet took place in five other locations across the nation, including Napa, Calif., Tempe, Ariz., and Allen, Texas.

And with the number of participants on the field, bike trail and pool at Free State High, Todd Andregg, Zach’s father, said he was so proud his son placed in such a nationally recognized event.

“It was a really neat event,” Todd Andregg said. “The kids had a blast and they (the organizers) did a good job with it.”

And with all of the success and atmosphere of the IronKids triathlon the Andreggs may not be through with seeing how far Zach could go.

Todd Andregg said the event went over well enough with Zach and the rest of the family, that they might try some more triathlons in the future.

And if they do decide to hit the triathlon trail again, The Andreggs hope all those extra hours in the pool pay off the next time around.