General studies class takes on Surf & Turf Triathlon

Adam Smith / Reporter

It would seem the students in the class had been friends for years. They were all laughing, having a good time, talking about their weekend. However, most of the people in the class did not know each other before the beginning of spring semester. The reason for their new-found closeness: a one-half mile swim in 60 degree water, a 12-mile bike ride, and a three mile run. This past weekend, class members participated in the Surf & Turf Triathlon in Surf City, N.C.

These students are part of the general studies class, Triathlon, taught by sociology professor Tom Arcaro and sports medicine professor Paul Miller. “(The class) covers various topics dealing with triathlons,” junior Sara Thomas said. “We learn the set up of a triathlon, training, nutrition and the history of triathlons.”

Some students chose to take the class as a way to challenge themselves. Senior Jeff Morrison was a competitive athlete in high school. He said he chose the triathlon class because he wanted “to have something to train for again.”

Sophomore Kristin Sanders set a goal for herself senior year in high school that she would keep up the exercise regimen the high school swim team had given her.

“I figured it would be a very good way to get involved in an endurance event, especially with the class atmosphere to support you,” she said.

Other students took the class as an escape, something different from the regular academic courses. “I thought it would be a challenge, a welcome escape from my other classes,” junior Alex Lindsay said.

“There are so many educational challenges here,” one student said, “but a physical challenge is a way to get the mind and body working together.”

The students mentioned how being in a triathlon makes them unique. Not everyone can complete a triathlon. They said their friends would continually ask them what they were training for.

“When I was packing my car the morning of,” said sophomore Kate Hanna, “my friends said, ‘what the heck are you doing?”

Hanna said, “It’s something not everyone can do. It’s something as a class we can say we can do.”

Participating in the Surf & Turf Triathlon is only the beginning, the students said. Thomas said, “I signed up to just do this one, but I feel like I’m addicted now.” Hanna said after she finished the race, “I was just excited to do it again.”

Athletes from Elon placed in both female and male events. Mary Dugan came in first place in the female 16- 19 age group and Hanna placed sixth in the 20- 24 age group. In the males 20- 24 age group, Thomas Lindsay place seventh and Jeff Morrison placed tenth. Arcaro placed sixth in the males 50- 54 age group.

Participating in the triathlon was, for Jennifer Pierson, not about competing against other people, but about competing against your personal goals.

“It was more about self-discovery for me, learning what you can do,” Pierson said.

Photo Submitted

The Triathlon class participated in the Surf and Turf in Surf City, N.C., last weekend. (Top row, l-r) Students Jeff Morrison, Meredith Taylor, professor Tom Arcaro, Bridget Burckell, Jennifer Pierson (bottom row) Megan Pinnell, Kate Hanna, Sara Thomas, Mary Dugan and Kristin Sanders.