One of Sierra Vista’s most successful homegrown events, the annual FireBolt Youth Triathlon, saw more than 100 young athletes and their families gather in Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday. Premier Alliances was very excited for the chance to partner with the organizers of the event to offer sponsorship support. This year we also helped to expand the already inclusive nature of the event by offering to cover the registration costs for any young athlete with a disability.

According to the event’s founder Brandon Nichols, a total of eight of these Champions, between the ages of 6 and 13, registered for this year’s event, the most ever!

For some of these kids, like 7-year-old Joseph Cranfield, it was their first time participating in the FireBolt Triathlon.

“This is a great, all-inclusive opportunity. We’d definitely like to come back next year,” said Joseph’s dad, Joe Cranfield.

It was just over three months ago that Joseph started riding without training wheels, so his parents were admittedly a little worried about the bicycle portion of the event, but he moved along quickly and confidently, they said.

“He exceeded our expectations. We’re super proud of him,” said his mother, Rebecca Cranfield.

Then there are young Champion athletes like 6-year-old Maggie Dowds, who, according to her mother Sarah Dowds, has competed in three consecutive Bolt Multisport triathlons now.

“She tries hard to fit in. She knows she has challenges, but events like this make her feel like she can try and join in,” Sarah said. “Her confidence soars after this, even at school.”

Premier Alliances would also like to thank the Fry Fire District volunteers who cycled and ran beside those Champion athletes who wanted a race partner.

Events like these are a large part of what makes our community special, and helping to make them open and inclusive to any child—regardless of their ability—is one of the ways in which Premier Alliances is working to make a difference in Cochise County.