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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula June 25, 2004 Chain Drive results and information provided by Dean Woodbeck and Christine Young. Text and photos © 2004 Michele Anderson.

Page 3: Junior Chain Drive photos

A weekend of sunny spring weather made the 2004 Junior Chain Drive more pleasant than the rain and mud of some previous years. This year it was held on Father's Day, June 20, at the Michigan Tech Trails. Many fathers -- and mothers -- volunteered to help with the race, while grandparents also appeared to take photos and cheer for the young racers -- nearly 60 in all.

Seven-and-under racers take off in their one-mile race during the 2004 Junior Chain Drive on Sunday, June 20, at the MTU Trails. In the foreground, striving for a lead, are Wyatt Liston (bib #397) and Nikita Velat (# 387). (Photo © 2004 Michele Anderson)

This seven-and-under age group had the most participants -- 21 boys and 3 girls -- for their one-mile race.

Robert Riutta finishes first in the seven-and-under boys' race, with a time of 2:14. Guiding him to the finish line is Andrew Zuehike, Junior Chain Drive co-director with Amber Young. (Photo © 2004 Michele Anderson)

Andrew Zuehike of Dollar Bay and Amber Young of Hancock were the Junior Chain Drive co-directors this year and had help from many volunteers, including Mike Abbott, race starter and liaison for Michigan Tech.

Wyatt Liston finishes a close second with a time of 2:27 in the boys' seven-and-under race. (Photo © 2004 Michele Anderson)

"The Junior Chain Drive had a wonderful core of volunteers for this year's event," said Amber Young, "and I know that everything ran smoothly because of their help and dedication."

Luke Weingarten heads for the finish line. His smile says it all. Snapping photos in the background is Jon Soper of Allouez Township. Soper spent part of Father's Day watching his grandchildren race. (Photo © 2004 Michele Anderson)

Taking photos of the Junior Chain Drive was Jon Soper of Allouez Township, who had three grandchildren in the races: Taylor Jones, 12, of Lake Linden; Trevor Jones, 9, of Lake Linden; and Aaron Soper, 9, of Minneapolis, whose Dad, Mike Soper, is also a bike racer. This was the first time Jon and his wife, Jenette Soper, attended the Chain Drive Festival..

"We enjoy biking, and we enjoy watching the kids race," Jon said.

Julz Zutter, left, heads for a second-place finish in the girls' ages 10-11 three-mile race, with a time of 7:50. Louise Oppliger won the race with 6:52. Just behind Julz is Tanner Delpier, who finished fourth in the boys' 10-11 race with a time of 7:49. (Photo © 2004 Michele Anderson)

The 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13 age groups did two laps of the course at MTU Trails for a total of three miles.

The 12-13 age group of racers -- six girls and four boys -- take off for their three-mile race, the final heat of the Junior Chain Drive. (Photo © 2004 Michele Anderson)

Participants in the Junior Chain Drive all receive tee-shirts. This year the winners (first, second and third in each age class) each received a Keweenaw Chain Drive medal.

Elias Featherly crosses the finish line to win the boys' 12-13 race, with a time of 12:08, as spectators applaud his victory. Emily Rossi (not pictured) won the girls' 12-13 race with a time of 15:00. (Photo © 2004 Michele Anderson)

For complete results of the Keweenaw Chain Drive races visit the Keweenaw Trails Web site.

Editor's Note: 
For more photos of the 2004 Keweenaw Chain Drive races visit Tom Lindley's Photo Web site and R. Scott Steube's T & S Foto ForgeWeb site.

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