High school teams get sponsor for Tango Race

Allegheny Outfitters is looking for a few good high schoolers. According to the owner of the canoe livery, Piper Lindell, Allegheny Outfitters plans to sponsor a team from each high school in the Warren County School District to compete in this year’s Kinzua Country Tango Adventure Race. The annual race, coordinated by the Warren County YMCA, is scheduled for Aug. 1 and consists of a 13.1-mile run, a 20-mile biking leg, a 2.2-mile swim, an orienteering course, another 4.5-mile run and an 8-mile canoe race. Last year’s high school class winner, Mercyhurst Prep from Erie, took home a $3,000 first place prize, which the school used for equipment for its athletics program. “We just want to get the high school kids involved,” Lindell said. “I competed last year. The sense of accomplishment when you finish – it’s just a great feeling. For high school kids to get involved, it’s just a great event.” Lindell said that Allegheny Outfitters plans to pay the $200 entry fee for one team each from Eisenhower, Warren, Sheffield and Youngsville. “We will also give them the support they need,” she said, providing teams with kayaks and canoes. The four teams will have access to Allegheny Outfitters’ canoes throughout the summer to train for the race. Deadline for Allegheny Outfitters’ high school sponsorships is July 1. “It’s really neat,” YMCA director and race coordinator Thad Turner said of Allegheny Outfitters offer to sponsor four high school teams. “(Lindell) has been really good about it.” Turner said high schoolers competing in the Tango race doesn’t effect their school’s PIAA status because the prize money doesn’t go directly to the students; it goes to school programs. Turner didn’t know if the first place payoff in the high school division would reach $3,000 again this year. “It will still be a pretty good chunk of money,” Turner said. “We’re thinking we want to spread it out a little more this year. It’s positive all-around, even if they don’t win a big chunk of money. It’s a positive experience getting a team together and competing.” According to Turner, high school seniors graduating in 2009 are still eligible to compete for their school’s team. For more information on team sponsorship, contact Allegheny Outfitters at 723-1203.