As Monmouth swimming gears up for a second season after its 2015 reintroduction, the team found inspiration outside of the pool at the 2016 “One More Tri” event. Held in Asbury Park, NJ on September 25, triathletes of all skill levels competed side-by-side with Special Olympics athletes. Members of Monmouth's men's and women's swimming teams volunteered in various aspects of the race, including “swim angels” who assisted with racers in the swim portion of the triathlon. According to the organization, “the race is inspired by a simple principle: the act of competing together ensures a quick path to understanding, acceptance, and friendship.”
Monmouth head coach Matt Nunnally believes events like these are helpful in terms of building a culture, team-bonding and getting involved in the community. “It was a great opportunity to get out and be involved in an event like that with Special Olympic athletes and give something back to their community,” he said. “It was definitely a bonding experience for our team. The ability to interact with the Special Olympic athletes was rewarding for the team. It pays dividends in the long run.”
Triathlon was introduced as a Special Olympics demonstration sport at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games, which was held in central New Jersey. The 2015 “One More Tri” marked the first officially sanctioned Special Olympics triathlon to be held in the state.
Team captain Anne Skimmons, who swam in two B-Finals during last year's MAAC Championship and was recently named to the U.S. National Lifesaving Team, saw “One More Tri” as the perfect opportunity to connect with teammates. “Volunteering as a team helped us bond as a team,” Skimmons said. “We all had a sense of helping the community, and it was very rewarding. Being able to see each other outside of the swim environment and seeing the team help other people was important.”
Junior Mitch Simmer was another Monmouth swimmer to volunteer at the event, and encouraged athletes during the swimming and running portion of the event. “We all enjoyed the fun in helping others,” Simmer said. “We're usually swimming every day so it's more of a work thing, but going to this event it was definitely more about the enjoyment of the sport. We really had a lot of fun.”
With hundreds of competitors across a race course which spans nearly 10 miles, Monmouth swimmers volunteered in pre-race setup, at the start of the race, along the course, and at the finish line. The Hawks were able to witness the Special Olympics athletes “shattering stereotypes, breaking down barriers and demonstrating the power that sport has to unify us all.”
Sophomore Brianna Pongrac, who is a native of Freehold and joined the swim team this summer, appreciated being able to bond with teammates while cheering for the athletes together. “Seeing the runners happy made us happy,” Pongrac said. “It was great to see everyone having fun in addition to the competition.”
As some volunteers were supporting swimmers in the water, others were scattered throughout the bike course and the run course, lending a hand with course direction and support for athletes. Coach Nunnally saw the event benefit the team in more than one way. “A lot of them were inspired by seeing people competing in a triathlon, seeing what it takes to be successful, and watching the Special Olympics athletes out there,” he added. “Being involved and supporting their cause was something worthwhile and important to them from a team aspect.”
To learn more about “One More Tri”, visit their website at http://www.onemoretri.org/.
Monmouth swimming will open its 2016-17 season on October 26, when it hosts Seton Hall at 5:00 PM. The Hawks will host five meets inside Richard E. Steadman Natatorium this season, after hosting just one a year ago.
