Thanks to USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Jeff Schreiber for this write up! Please read and consider supporting this wonderful cause.
Coach Shannon Clawson leads Utah adaptive tri team to an historic USAT Nationals event
Balanced Art Multisport (BAM) coach Shannon Clawson has established a growing program to develop young adaptive triathletes with intellectual differences. Fundraising efforts are in motion to send several of her Utah-area paratriathletes to participate in an historic groundbreaking national event – USA Triathlon’s very first sanctioned race for athletes with intellectual differences, at the USAT Youth & Junior Nationals, July 31st, 2022 in West Chester, Ohio.
Meet
the team and their coach! (33 second
video on Instagram)
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BAM coach Shannon Clawson knew she was building something special soon after she began offering swim, bike and run classes in 2021 to a group of a dozen young adaptive athletes with intellectual differences in the Heber City area.“I started working with people with intellectual differences as a way to serve the sport of triathlon, and my daughter works in the industry, so I thought it would be a really fun thing to do … and it ended up being just transformational for me, working with this group of people. They are so wonderful, so happy and fun and kind, and I decided that I wanted to go bigger with this.”
Progress has not come without challenges, however, even for a certified USAT Level 2 Paratriathlon coach like Shannon: “I’m still overcoming obstacles and learning … what motivates them, learning how to reach them, learning how to teach skills. What’s different is being a lot less formal in the training … adjusting the training to just make it fun and not have such hard-set expectations.”
The Intermountain Adaptive Tri group now has their sights set on the USAT Youth & Junior Nationals in Ohio. USA Triathlon has arranged for a specifically designated wave in the open Paratriathlon race on July 31st for intellectually different athletes. The event at Voice of America Park in West Chester will represent the first USAT sanctioned event for this athlete category. Shannon and Intermountain Multisport president Craig Libby are actively raising funds to send several of their motivated Utah paratriathletes to participate in the historic national event.
Coach Clawson emphasizes: “Their world is difficult, and their world is expensive, and they don’t get all the opportunities that the rest of us get. I really want to help everyone see how much that this training and racing and having this purpose means to them, and what a really worthy cause this is. These people deserve this.”
All donations are tax deductible through Intermountain Tri, a charitable 501(c)3 organization – click here to donate and choose the option for “Intermountain Adaptive Triathlon”.
*****Below is the 2022 UTCS - the only update we're aware of from the below is that Brineman will be a unique Friday race on Sep 9th. Check out this post if you need a refresher on how the UTCS works.*****
Thinking about Lasik or have other eye health needs?
We're also always grateful for talented people who contribute in terms of time... let us know if you'd like to be part of the Utah Tri Buzz team.
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| Note: Brineman is now Sep 9th! |
Below are links to all the 2022 Championship Series races:
Ice Breaker - Sprint
Sand Hollow - Olympic
Daybreak - Olympic
Jordanelle - Olympic
Echo (State Champs) - Olympic
East Canyon - Olympic
Brineman **Now SEP 9th - Half (70.3)
POPULAR LINKS
UTAH TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 2022 --> HERE
LATEST AGE GROUP RANKINGS --> HERE
CHAMPIONSHIP BELT HOLDERS --> HERE
MOST IMPROVED TRIATHLETES --> HERE
TOP LOCAL RACER AWARDS --> HERE
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 --> HERE
IMSG "COUNTY COMPETITION" (MAY BE REVIVED) --> HERE
UTAH TRIATHLON HISTORY 101 --> HERE
HISTORICAL U.T.B.
"BELT HOLDERS"
Thinking about Lasik or have other eye health needs?
Dr. Brice Williams is offering some incredible
deals for fellow Utah Tri Buzz readers
Local triathlete Steve Monson has a stellar reputation
as one of Utah's finest financial advisors
Local triathlete Steve Monson has a stellar reputation
as one of Utah's finest financial advisors
We started a Patreon account (link below) with the hope of raising a few bucks towards awards & swag for athletes of all abilities in our tri community. We've given out a lot over the past 6 years, but would like to continue to expand our offerings & the volume we can do.
If you enjoy Utah Tri Buzz and would like to pitch in, any amount would be greatly appreciated... (there may be something in it for you as well!)
We're also always grateful for talented people who contribute in terms of time... let us know if you'd like to be part of the Utah Tri Buzz team.
Interview Archives:
Clydesdale to Thoroughbred: Interview with Nate Cook
Kona Profiles 2019: Jake the Pepper Snake Barnes
Kona Profiles 2019: Liis "The Beast" Rametta
Kona Profiles 2019: Laura Yost [Still the] Host with the Most
Kona Profiles 2019: Brice "Heat & Hills" Williams
Kona Profiles 2019: Gentry Yost, Still Hustlin!
Kona Profiles 2019: Randall the Mandall Steinfeldt
Kona Profiles 2019: Nate the Great Zarlengo
Not Afraid of a Challenge: Interview with Ian Gerritsen
Kona Profiles 2019: Jake the Pepper Snake Barnes
Kona Profiles 2019: Liis "The Beast" Rametta
Kona Profiles 2019: Laura Yost [Still the] Host with the Most
Kona Profiles 2019: Brice "Heat & Hills" Williams
Kona Profiles 2019: Gentry Yost, Still Hustlin!
Kona Profiles 2019: Randall the Mandall Steinfeldt
Kona Profiles 2019: Nate the Great Zarlengo
Not Afraid of a Challenge: Interview with Ian Gerritsen
