Three members of the Coastal Kids Triathlon team finished in the top 20 in their age groups at the USA Triathlon Youth National Championships Sunday in West Chester, Ohio.

Carson Goode finished 12th among 9-year-old boys while Caroline Cameron and Savannah Goode finished 17th and 20th, respectively, among 11-year-old girls.

“They raced against the fastest kids from all over the country,” said John Cameron, team coordinator and president of Coastal Triathlon Club. “These teams compete at elite levels through high school age with many being recruited for the recently created D1 collegiate level programs.”

Carson’s age group swam 100 meters, biked five kilometers and ran one, while Caroline and Savannah’s age group swam 200 meters, biked 10 kilometers and ran two.

“It was their first open water swim race and they swam and sighted very well,” John Cameron said. “The bike course was made up of rolling hills which is much different than what they are used to. But the heat and winds were familiar territory and they never mentioned those conditions where others were complaining.”

The season wraps up Aug. 27 in Richmond Hill when the YMCA of Coastal Georgia sponsors the Last Splash Y Tri and Kids Tri.

“This being our first year of organization, I am very proud of what the team was able to accomplish,” Cameron said. “Many of the kids completed their first triathlon this season, have cut their bike and run times down considerably, and have learned many life lessons along the way. These kids support each other and cheer each other on, even when they are competing head to head, and for me that is the icing on the cake.”