GREEN LAKE — On a cloudless, sun-drenched morning at Green Lake Park, Shorewood High School student Luke Pickett walked slowly towards the cluster of children, parents and teachers.
Much taller than the other kids, heads turned as he approached the buzzing crowd. Beneath his baseball cap — which was tilted down, hiding his eyes and casting a shadow onto his face — peeked an apprehensive smile.
Pickett was about to compete in a triathlon.
A few feet away, two girls, the only females at the event, chatted. Shorecrest High School student Becca Hadfield, a two-year veteran of the “Give it a Tri” triathlon, encouraged first-year participant Laura Frederick of Inglemoor. Soon they would be swimming, bicycling and running together.
Trying a new sport — especially a triathlon — can be intimidating, but one annual event guarantees it’ll be fun. The third annual “Give it a Tri” triathlon for special needs youths and adults age 14 to 21 was Aug. 8 at Green Lake Park. The day began with a 150-meter swim inside Green Lake Community Center, followed by a two-mile bike ride and a 3/4-mile run/walk around the lake.
“The idea is to get them out there trying something new,” said event organizer Tristie McJilton. “It’s important that kids with disabilities remain physically active.”
The event combines McJilton’s passion for working with special needs children and encouraging athletic participation. This fall, McJilton will begin her fifth year as a special education teacher at Shorecrest High School.
Outside the classroom, McJilton has competed in triathlons the past seven years. Three years ago, McJilton figured, “If I can do (a triathlon), there’s no reason (special education students) can’t do it too.”
The first “Give it a Tri” was at Shoreline Center. Last year, the event moved to Green Lake to better accommodate the increasing number of athletes. In three years the event has doubled in size from six to 12 athletes. A new venue may be needed if the event continues to grow, McJilton said, but Green Lake is fine for now. To cover facility rental costs, each athlete pays $5. In addition, the Shoreline Kiwanis Club donated $200.
As the athletes approached the pool, volunteer timers and parents watched closely. Just before Becca Hadfield and the other eager swimmers eased into the water, Hadfield’s mother, Kim, hollered.
“Wait!” she yelled, jogging from the bleachers toward her daughter. She pulled Becca’s hair into a pony tail and secured it with an elastic band. After sharing some final words of encouragement, she returned to the bleachers.
The swim began. The young athletes moved through the water at varying speeds, some smiling and others with more serious, determined gazes. Parents strained near the pool’s edge, clapping their hands and cupping their mouths to make sure their words of encouragement reached their children’s ears.
“Give it a Tri” athletes are encouraged to do their best but the event isn’t too competitive, McJilton said. Shorecrest special education teacher Brent Busby helps organize the event.
“It’s great to give these kids an opportunity to participate in something they normally couldn’t do,” he said. “The smiles on their faces are great. We’re trying to make a connection with the kids that is real important to them.
“This is a big deal for them.”
After the swim the athletes dried off and changed clothes to prepare for the bike ride. When they exited the pool facility, volunteers with stopwatches and helping hands secured the athletes’ bike helmets. In all, 16 student and coach volunteers, most from Shorecrest, made the event fun and safe. Others were there to share their continuing support.
Zoe O’Neill, 17, cheered for the athletes all morning. She volunteers for the Shorecrest Student Buddies program, in which students without disabilities interact socially with special needs students. She attended the triathlon to support some of her friends.
“They really like to chat and socialize,” she said. After she plays games and puzzles with the special needs students at school, they always recognize her and her friends, she said. “Just seeing them in the hall (at Shorecrest), they’re so excited.
“High school can be a beneficial place. We want them to feel like it’s a place where they want to be.”
For his senior project, recent Shorecrest graduate Maki Smith, 18, worked with “Give it a Tri” athlete Jamie Norwood. Norwood is autistic and has social difficulties, Smith said. During school breaks, Smith introduced Norwood to friends and tried to help him feel comfortable interacting with other students. Smith was excited to see Norwood compete.
“I love him,” he said, watching Norwood prepare for the bike ride. “I want him to succeed. He’s like my buddy.”
Later, during the run, Norwood cruised around the northeast edge of the lake, breathing heavily but maintaining his jogging pace.
“Go Jamie!” shouted O’Neill. Hearing the encouragement, he increased his pace. A few hundred feet later, Norwood slowed to a stop. As he caught his breath, he reached out and felt a nearby tree whose branches reached out onto the trail. Seconds later he took off, running purposefully towards the final bend of the course.
As the last few athletes completed the run, volunteers repeatedly stretched out new finish line tape so every athlete could enjoy a piece of glory. In addition, each athlete received a “Give it a Tri” T-shirt, a participation ribbon and their individual event times.
Athletes and volunteers congratulated each another and huddled together for a photo. Then McJilton saluted everyone for a job well done and. As they left, the glowing looks on the athletes’ faces said that they would be back next year.
“I won,” said 18-year-old Jordan Firstenberg of Lake Forest Park, a first-time participant.
“You did great,” McJilton replied.
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