This month we've got a treat for you! Instead of 1 athlete, we're highlighting 3 youth athletes. It seemed appropriate considering school is back in session. Check out the following amazing youth we have training at Tri Fitness!
Name | Aurora
Tell us about your family. What made you get into the sports you are in?
My parents have taken me and my siblings, an older sister (Sierra) and younger brother (Skylar, an avid pairs figure skater), hiking at most of the National Parks. We love to be active and use local trails for hiking, biking, running, and skiing. I had a ton of fun Nordic skiing as a young child, so I joined the high school team in seventh grade. It was a good time, so I will continue skiing in college.
What is your favorite sport/activity?
It’s a tie between standup paddle boarding and badminton.
How long have you be involved in sports?
At the age of two, I sashayed into my sister’s hip hop class. Since that sensational debut, I’ve tried just about every sport, from the traditional hockey, soccer, swimming, gymnastics and basketball to sailing, downhill skiing, karate, golf, and tennis. Endurance sports, especially skiing, and badminton, are what stuck.
Outside of training, what are some of your hobbies?
Gardening, playing piano and percussion, travelling, paddling, and reading.
What motivates you, or what is your favorite motivational quote?
Competition.
What is your biggest struggle?
Indecision.
What/Who inspires you when you are struggling, or keeps you going when you don't want to?
Having a positive impact in the long term.
What is your favorite part of racing?
The finish line.
What is your pre- or post-race ritual?
Consuming a ziploc bag full of shiitake mushrooms.
How do you mentally prepare for a race?
Follow the same warmup routine. It manifests focus consistently at the starting line.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Do it now, or when you’re a day older.
What is your goal for this year and beyond?
Ski fast at Cornell, maybe walk-on the rowing team, and dodge the freshman fifteen.
Name | Lucas
Tell us about your family. What made you get into the sports you are in?
My family is a big sports family and I have 3 siblings. The result was many sport competitions. All that made me want to play sports even more. I played a lot of different sports, but landed on running in middle school. Whenever we had the gym mile, my friends and I would always see who could have the fastest time, and I was always second. So, wanting to finally beat my friend, I joined the track team and loved it. I joined cross country the following year and found the same joy as I had during track.
What is your favorite sport/activity?
Running is my favorite activity, so track and cross country are my favorite sports.
How long have you be involved in sports?
I’ve played sports for as long as I can remember, but landed on running in 6th grade.
Outside of training, what are some of your hobbies?
I like to hang out on the water, and do the occasional water sport—mainly wake surfing or fishing. Other times, I’m playing Spikeball or video games with my friends.
What motivates you, or what is your favorite motivational quote?
Trying to improve is my biggest motivator. I really like seeing how fast I can get. My favorite quote is "the only failure is quitting."
What is your biggest struggle?
My biggest struggle is my self expectations. I expect to improve every time or do it right the first time. Once I recognized this, it’s gotten better as I’ve just thought about the quote and can put the bad mile or bad race behind me.
What/Who inspires you when you are struggling, or keeps you going when you don't want to?
My team. We have a close knit team with everyone supporting everyone.
What is your favorite part of racing?
Finishing. I’ve always had a good kick at the end, so trying to catch the runner in front of me gives me an adrenaline rush.
What is your pre- or post-race ritual?
The bus ride back from meets are always fun. We bring a speaker and everyone sings the songs, even though we sound terrible and are probably off beat most of the time.
How do you mentally prepare for a race?
During the bus ride there, I like to listen to music, and during warm ups, I’ll imagine myself running the course noting where the hills are.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Your body can always go faster and farther than you think.
What is your goal for this year and beyond?
My goals for this year are to go under 18 minutes for a 5k and have the team go to state. Beyond that, I’d like to keep running, whether competitively or not, and to do a half marathon and marathon sometime.
Name | Elli
Tell us about your family. What made you get into the sports you are in?
My parents are Carri and Paul Petronack, I have two brothers, Danny and Joey, and one sister, Laci. My mom went to St. Bernard's high school and participated in volleyball, basketball, and softball. In 3rd-9th grade she speed skated, and she ended up continuing her softball career in college at Mankato State. She was a pitcher, and I would say a good one. She was inducted into 4 hall of fames, was runner up Athlete of the Century at Mankato State, holds most pitching records, and was an All American pitcher. My dad went to Hill-Murray high School and played baseball and tennis. He ended up going to Mankato State, as well, and played rugby. Laci is 23 years old. She played hockey, softball, and vollyball in high school at Cretin-Derham Hall, and choose to go to Saint Benedicts college. She graduated last year from college and now is working in the insurance industry. Joey graduated from Hill-Murray high school. He is 21 years old and participated in hockey, baseball, and tennis. He went to the state tournament 2 years in a row for hockey, and also went to state for tennis. Right after he graduated, he traveled for junior hockey, and ended up playing in North Iowa. After juniors, he choose to go to UW-Stout and is continuing his hockey career. Joey will be a sophomore this year. Danny is 19 years old and is a sophomore at Saint Johns University. He graduated from Hill-Murray high school, as well, and participated in hockey, tennis, baseball, and football. He also participated in the hockey state tournament. He is currently playing club hockey at Saint John's. I would say I've watched a few hundred hockey, baseball/softball, and tennis games. I think saying that the fact I was almost born in a hockey rink, and right after I was born, went to a hockey rink for my sister's game, says something about how I was raised to love the game. I would say family got me into sports—especially hockey and softball.
What is your favorite sport/activity?
I definitely can't choose what my favorite sport is, but my favorite activity is probably roller blading with my friends or brothers.
How long have you be involved in sports?
I've been involved in sports science since I was 3.
Outside of training, what are some of your hobbies?
I love to shop and hangout with friends. I love water parks and amusement parks. I love arts and crafts.
What motivates you, or what is your favorite motivational quote?
I would say my family, friends, and Vicki are the main people that motivate me. My favorite quote is either "push yourself because no one is going to do it for you" or " no pain no gain."
What is your biggest struggle?
I've never been the strongest at math.
What/Who inspires you when you are struggling, or keeps you going when you don't want to?
I would say my mom. When I'm doing bad in a hockey game, I will see her shaking her head at me in the stands, and I know I need to pick my game up.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Nothing is going to get handed to you, you have to earn what you want.
What is your goal for this year and beyond?
I would like to play varsity hockey and softball for hill this year, and in collage I would either like to play hockey or softball.