LCKC's quest for national title gets off to fast start at Olympic Venue

GAINESVILLE -- The Lanier Canoe/Kayak Club's quest for another national title sprinted out of the starting gate on Thursday.<br /> <br /> The LCKC won eight events on the first day of 2014 USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Championships at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue at Clark's Bridge in Gainesville, putting itself in prime position to nab its 11th overall crown.<br /> <br /> "Everything went really well. The LCKC did very well," LCKC coach and Olympic Venue director Morgan House said. "I think we're probably looking really good for winning the thing, but we've still got two more days to go."<br /> <br /> Competition will resume on Friday, with LCKC looking to continue its strong start from Thursday.<br /> <br /> The day was highlighted by Tyler Martin and Dustin Grattan, who claimed victory in the juvenile 1,000 meter C2 (two-man canoe) race (4:08.962).<br /> <br /> "That was a big surprise," said House, who, as venue director, was also pleased by the overall event. "Everything ran smoothly. It all just went off really well."<br /> <br /> Other LCKC victors on Thursday included Chris Miller in the senior men's 1,000 K1 (one-man kayak, 3:38.589), Ian Ross and Ben Hefner (senior men's 1,000 C2, 3:53.762), and Owen Farley-Klacik and Clay Baker (bantam boys 1,000 K2, 14:33:29.625). Four different four-person teams also claimed gold including the boys bantam 1,000 K4 -- Joshua Burchardt, Owen Farley-Klacik, Max Roberts and Clay Baker (3:37.938) -- the boys juvenile 1,000 C4 -- Riley Brunner, Tyler Martin, Michael Olson and Dustin Grattan (3:50.723) -- the senior men's 1,000 C4 -- Ian Ross, Ben Hefner, Claudiu Ciur and Amniel D. Naranjo (3:43.179) -- and the women's 500 K4 -- <br /> Macy Dwyer, Alex McLain, Cannie Ash and Chelsea Smith (1:43.383).

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