Steve Wright (MA) and Ashley Thrower (NH) were crowned 2008 USAT Northeast Junior Development Series champions at the Fireman Triathlon in Kennebunk, Maine, on August 24th.

2008 Series Final Standings

With one race to go, here are the current overal series standings:

Top 10 Men:

Steve Wright         300
Trevor Heller        276
Matt Gloekler       255
Justin Pedersen   198
Tim Steiskal          175
Kyle Madison        148
Tom Cundiff          127
Joseph Flynn         116
David Howland      112
Michael Greenfield  104

Top 10 Women:

Ashley Thrower             255
Kristine Bunker              182
Kelly Nine                        108
Jessica Broderick            100
Emily Healy                     100
Helen Jack                       100
Stephanie Moroney        100
Jessica Nufer                   100
Rachel Picard                  100
 

Athletes will compete for double points at the series finale this weekend in Kennebunk, Maine. 

After five races, Steve Wright and Ashley Thrower have opened a narrow lead over the field in the Series Standings.  Wright has two wins under his belt, Hyannis and Falmouth.  Thrower, on the other hand, is relying on a 4th a Hyannis and second place finishes at Grantham and Falmouth to edge into the lead.  The battle for the five podium spots will come down to the final three races, with double points on the line at Kennebunk (check out their $25 junior entry fee, btw!). 

The top five finishers in the series will take home a very cool Beijing-themed prize bag. 

Current Top 6 Standings:

Junior Men 

Steve Wright - 200pts
Justin Pedersen - 157pts
Trevor Heller - 144pts
Tom Cundiff - 127pts
David Howland - 112pts
Tim Steiskal - 100pts
George Keuhnert - 100pts
Matt Galluzzo - 100pts

Junior Women

Ashley Thrower - 255pts
Kristine Bunker - 182pts
Jessica Broderick - 100pts
Jessica Nuhfer - 100pts
Stephanie Moroney - 100pts
Helen Jack - 100pts 

Steve Wright finished 4th overall at the Falmouth Triathlon to capture the 5th stage of the Northeast Junior Development Series.  Wright was the top “non-elite” amateur finisher.  He was followed by Rhode Island’s Austen Novis, who captured 11th overall.  Drew Calcagno rounded out the junior podium with a 14th overall.   

Local-girl Kristine Bunker bested New Hampshire’s Ashley Thrower by one second in the junior women’s division.