The Independent Staff

Nikki Boere of Warwick Township crossed the finish line first in the girls 12 and 13 division at Sunday’s Bluewater Ironkid competition along Lake Huron.

The 13-year-old completed the 100 metre swim, 5K bike ride and 2K run in 20 minutes and 24 seconds, well ahead of runner-up Ellen Sawyer of Alvinston.

Boere also won the 12-13 division last year and was second as an 11-year-old at the event in 2014.

Several other athletes from The Independent catchment area had top five showings as well.

Marnie Sawyer of Alvinston was second in the girls 6 and 7 year old division, while Emily Kinney and Jacqueline Neely, both of Bright’s Grove, finished third and fourth respectively in the girls 8 and 9 year old event.

Sean Hamil of Bright’s Grove won the boys 5 and under division, while a series of other athletes from the Grove, Liam Campbell, Cameron Latta, Joshua Gomez and Daniel Gomez all cracked the top five in their respective boys divisions.

Two Petrolia athletes were among the 115 overall competitors.

Jenna McKay and Elsie Wellington placed ninth and 11th in their respective events.