The race is on for DCMS's first triathlon
Jenna Buehler Comet writer-intern

Traver

Delphi Community Middle School students who received National or Presidential Physical Fitness Awards last year are invited to participate in the first ever DCMS triathlon during the Sept. 5 school day.

Middle school health and physical education teacher Theresa Traver explained the goal of the event is to reach beyond physical fitness.

"When children believe in themselves, they can and will perform better physically and academically," Traver said. "And when that happens, we all win."

Her idea developed when her students grew increasingly unfit, with decreased energy and selfesteem. Traver determined there existed a growing need for a safe outlet for life's everyday pressures.

"I have some students who would cry, because they didn't think they could participate in activities like push-ups or the mile," she said. "They would work hard and improve, eventually they would hold their head up higher and want to be squad leader, and at the end of school they received a piece of paper, a badge and were done. So I asked myself, 'now what?' That's how the idea of the triathlon initially began."

Traver said her hope was to encourage students to take physical fitness "to the next level," as a lifestyle to be spread to student families and the community."

"I just mentioned it (the triathlon) to our superintendent (Ralph Walker) and he immediately embraced it, making my long-time dream come into fruition," Traver said.

Events include a 200- yard swim, 5.6-mile bike ride and a 2- mile run, which will be held at Stevenson's Trailer Park located north of Monticello on Lake Shafer.

Triathlon activities will be supervised by Indiana DNR water rescue officers, lifeguards, and divers. Students participating in swimming events will be evaluated for skill and lifejackets will be provided.

Events will be followed by a barbecue and award ceremony at Walker's residence on the lake, adjacent to Stevenson's Trailer Park.

"My job is to facilitate ideas that teachers generate, so when Theresa Traver said her dream of a triathlon - I immediately thought that the lake would be a great spot," said Walker. "My neighbor has an excellent area for biking, to keep the kids off the road, and a large general area for running, and since I live on the lake I can be a part of this too."

Trophies will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers of every grade level. Each participant will receive a tee shirt and medallion.

Anyone interested in donating to help support the DCMS triathlon can contact Walker at (765) 564-2100.

"I am excited about having the triathlon for the middle school," concluded Walker. "We will be able to encourage fitness while providing a max reward for their efforts."