Post Falls teen wins Hayden Triathlon
Scott McCardell of Hayden prepares for the bike ride in the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Kaylynn Misner of Post Falls crosses the finish line of the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday in first place for the women.
Jaxon Jorgensen of Post Falls starts to celebrate after finishing the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday. The 26-year-old finished 21st in 1:21:31 and second in his age group.
Ben Tran of Coeur d'Alene smiles at the finish line of the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday. He placed 25 in 1:21:54
Danial Amann holds his son Easton after winning the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday.
Swimmers make their way to shore in the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday.
A cyclist heads out in the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday.
Nate Marler of Coeur d'Alene starts his run in the Hayden Triathlon.
Ben Tran of Coeur d'Alene smiles at the finish line of the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday. He placed 25 in 1:21:54
HAYDEN LAKE — Kaylynn Misner didn’t expect to defend her title in the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday.
The 17-year-old from Post Falls was fresh off a monthlong vacation and was just planning to use the race more for training purposes than trying to win.
But she did.
Misner crossed the finish line at Honeysuckle Beach in one hour, 17 minutes and 58 seconds on a sunny morning.
“I gave it my all," she said.
The event included a half-mile swim in a calm Hayden Lake, a 12-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run. There were just over 200 finishers. Many came in with big smiles and arms held high as they were greeted by friends and family. Some sat down to recover.
Misner was among the first swimmers out of the water, took the lead on the bike and pushed hard on the run.
“It's just all out. Whatever you have left,” Misner said.
Last year she won comfortably by about four minutes. This year, Misner said she was in worse shape, and it was closer.
Emily Maiani of Rockford, Wash., was second in 1:18:52, followed by Abby Crossley of Newman Lake, Wash., in 1:19:05.
Misner said she’s building toward next month’s Coeur d’Alene Triathlon.
“I’m really trying to step up my game for that one. This was kind of push through, training through, getting ready,” she said.
It felt good to claim first for the second straight year.
“It’s exciting to win,” Misner said.
Danial Amann, 29, Spokane, placed first among the men in 1:04:51. Paul Talens of Redmond, Wash., was second in 1:07:41, while Jonathan Porter of Athol was third in 1:08:34.
Amann was second last year and 10th in 2022, so he was even more determined this year.
“I really wanted to win,” he said, as he relaxed at the finish line while holding son Easton in his arms. “It feels great.”
Amann ran for two years at Gonzaga University, so he had a strong running base when he began triathlon training three years ago to get back in shape.
Saturday’s race showed he’s getting there.
“It went really well,” Amann said.
Scott McCardell of Hayden was last out of the water but in good spirits.
‘Tougher than I thought,” he said. “Just tough, man.”
McCardell was looking forward to the bike.
“That’s my world,” he said. “Swimming, not so much.”
The Coeur d’Alene High math teacher agreed to do the race on just two weeks' notice, despite little training, at the urging of family.
His daughter, Madison, and her husband, Luke Wilson, were also in the race.
McCardell finished in 201st place at 2:52:44. He expressed confidence he could do better.
“You gotta put in the time,” he said. “I figure I’ll use this one as a benchmark and improve from here.”
Kaylynn Misner of Post Falls crosses the finish line of the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday in first place for the women.
Jaxon Jorgensen of Post Falls starts to celebrate after finishing the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday. The 26-year-old finished 21st in 1:21:31 and second in his age group.
Ben Tran of Coeur d'Alene smiles at the finish line of the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday. He placed 25 in 1:21:54
Danial Amann holds his son Easton after winning the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday.
Swimmers make their way to shore in the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday.
A cyclist heads out in the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday.
Nate Marler of Coeur d'Alene starts his run in the Hayden Triathlon.