Cerritos College

College Hosts Its First Triathlon Competition

The Health and Physical Education, Dance, and Athletics Division (HPEDA) hosted Cerritos College’s first USA Triathlon sanctioned event, iTrI on June 19, 2009. Forty-six individuals participated in the competition; many of them were first-time triathletes.

Guest speakers included Tracey Moore from the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), Brian Tom from Blind Start of America, and Priscilla Burnam, who sang the National Anthem.

The college employees competed in the event were Erik Duane, David Fabish, Bryan Leighliter, Sergio Macias, and Bernice Watson. John Goldman, cross country and track coach and iTrI’s official timer, and Vicki Stevens from Academic Affairs were among the 42 volunteers of students, family, and friends. Each participant and volunteer received a t-shirt and goody bag.

Donations for the event were received by Bare Naked Granola, Best Buy, Diana’s Mexican Food, Dr. Chris Meyers from the college’s Research and Planning, Dr. Ethan Allen from Osteopathic Medical Clinic, Mary Jane McIntosh, Noah’s Bagels, Suzie Payne from the college’s Fiscal Services, Trader Joes, Tri-Zone, and the Cerritos College Triathlon Club. Music and DJ services were provided by Chuck LaMantia of Abundant Entertainment.

The event was directed by Brian Cable, athletic trainer and Ni Bueno, chair of the Health Education Department and Athletic Coordinator. The team captains who helped to organize the event were: Kerin Alfaro (event organizer), Jesse Castillon, Chris Bacani, Chris Pineda, Marco Tolento, Angelica Ornelas, and Fernando Hernandez- all students from the Triathlon Club.

During the 2008-2009 school year, the Triathlon Club members organized many fund raisers in order to provide lodging in San Diego for the San Diego Triathlon Challenge, where they volunteered for CAF, and a weekend camping trip and triathlon at San Antonio Lake. These trips encourage team building and develop self-efficacy, self-esteem, and spiritual wellness in each individual.

The event raised over $2,400; $800 in profit. Two-hundred dollars will be donated to the CAF. The profit will be used to help with triathlon students’ race registrations, equipment, and field trips.

“The iTrI triathlon was a success,” said Bueno. “The students are looking forward to organizing the event next year!”

Results:

Collegiate Division
Male                                                            Female
1^st place: Barney Stevens (Cerritos College)        Jaqueleen Larson
2^nd place: Eduardo Garcia (Cerritos College)         Hilary Baca (Cerritos College)
3^rd place: Armando Pena (Cerritos College)          Jennifer Gambino

Male 39 and under                                          
1^st place: Rudy Ryback (University City, MO)        
2^nd place: Fernando Flores (Ontario, CA)              
3^rd place: Derek Wolfe (Smyrna, CA)                  

Male 40 and older
1^st place: Bob Ruth (Rolling Hills, CA)
2^nd place: Larry Gessler (Santa Monica, CA)
3^rd place: Bruce Vannatta (Seal Beach, CA)

Female 39 and under                                 
1^st place: Joyel Sandoval (Costa Mesa, CA)          
2^nd place: Leann Vandergrift (Huntington Beach, CA) 
3^rd place: Bridget O’Brien (Long Beach, CA)     

Female 40 and older
1^st place: Cori Leone (Orange, CA)
2^nd place: Bernice Watson (Cerritos College)
3^rd place: Roberta Jimenez (Whittier, CA)

Youth Male 13-17
1^st place: David Contreras (La Mirada High School)
2^nd place: Steven Soto (La Mirada High School)

Photos by JuanVelezPhotography/photocart.com

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The Campus Connection, June 29, 2009