CRANBERRY TWP — Anyone visiting the Community Waterpark can rest assured knowing the lifeguards there are some of the best in the region.

A three-person team of township lifeguards won an event at the pool last week. The team will display the trophy at the entrance of the water park for the next year.

Twelve teams competed in the lifeguard challenge for prizes in nine events designed to test stamina, knowledge and fitness.

There were obstacle courses, a tug of war in the pool, CPR scenarios and spinal injury management tests. There also was a graded and timed written test.

Dave Hutner, a township parks and recreation employee, has overseen the competition for 15 years.

This is the first time it has been in Cranberry, and it’s also the first time a team from the township has won.

“It was a great home field advantage,” said township Supervisor Bruce Mazzoni at a township meeting this past week.

Hutner said the Cranberry team of Carley Belsterling, Kris Bernardo and Spencer Myers, won the event by a single point, and he was proud of their efforts in the competition.

“In any of the events, if they had taken their foot off the gas, it could have very easily been a different outcome for the championship,” Hutner said.

“We are very proud of our winning team. They put a lot of hard work and effort into their training, and it paid off for them.”

Each participant in the challenge received a t-shirt and a small prize. Several teams from around the county participated, including from Butler YMCA and Armco Park pool.

Both of those teams tied for second place.