South Florida Lightning Elite Triathlon Team is geared towards youth and junior athletes that are serious about training for the sport of triathlon.  
 

The Team is for athletes aged 8 to 18 that want access to an experienced Junior and Youth Certified USA Triathlon Coach.  Members of the team receive an individualized  training program developed specifically for their needs, structured organized and supervised group training, and specific guidance to help them prepare for their races.  Races and training is geared towards preparing them for local races,  Youth and Junior Regional's, Nationals, Iron Kids and Talent ID Series as well as F1 Draft Legal racing.   Trips, camps and other fun activities are also a big part of being part of the team.  

Athletes that are interested in Elite type racing and coaching can contact Coach Racheal about opportunities that are available.    rachealwood@gmail.com

2013 Team NEWS

Good luck to Team South Florida Lightning this weekend at Iron kid's Florida in Haines City!  I am so thrilled and excited to be able to watch Sofia and Hannah race on Saturday!  They have been practicing hard and prepared themselves well for this race.  Knock em dead:)!



Congrats to Hannah Fowler for her 1st place age group and 10 and under age group division champion at the Miami Kid's Triathlon at FIU on May 5th.  The amazing part is that she trained hard for 2 days practicing on the IronKid's course and Regional Heartland Tri course before the race and still managed to race super well and FAST:).  Keep up all the hard work and training Hannah!



The girls took a over night road trip on May 3rd and 4th to Haines City to practice on the new Iron Kid's Course at Lake Eva.  The course was really different, hilly and more challenging than last year so it was great to practice on it twice and work on those downhill and uphill transitions.  We had a great time riding it, and will pay off on race day.  We also stopped at Sebring on the way home and road the Regional Senior bike course and checked out the course by car for the Talent ID Series that will take place after Youth Regionals.  Fun trip filled with lots of valuable training.  





Welcome to Allison Beckerman!  Allison is 12 years old and wanted to train for a triathlon like her father.  She has done a great job jumping right in there for practice.  



Congrats to Hannah Fowler for her 3rd place overall in the 11 and under division at Meek and Mighty Triathlon on April 27th!   She had some difficulties with her registration so was not sure if she would be able to race until the last minute...which was tough, but raced hard and still did well!  Congrats Hannah!


 

Congrats to Mia Simon and Hannah Fowler for their outstanding performance in the Deerfield Beach Extreme Aquathon on April 20th!  Hannah was the overall winner for the 9 and under division and Mia was 4th in the same division.  They both looked super strong and had a lot of fun!

 

Welcome to Mia Simon!  Mia is 9 years old and is interested in learning and competing in a few races this summer.  We are looking forward to having her as part of the team!

Congrats to Hannah Fowler who came in 2nd place overall female and 2nd in the 10-11 year old category at the Star Kids Triathlon.  She also had the fastest transitions for all the girls.  All the transition practice really paid off:).  Way to go Hannah.

Congrats to 15 year old Sofia on her 4th place finish at the Talent ID Series race in Fort Desoto for the 15-19 category.  She was super excited to  improve her time and standing from the F1 race just a few weeks ago.  All the hard work is paying off.  Way to go Sofia:).

Great Spring Break Mini Tri Camp for Sofia and Hannah!  We hit the hills for some hill training at Vista View, did bike to run repeats, worked on transitions, had a nice lunch at Tree Tops Park, then on to Deerfield to practice some tri specific swimming.  Fun Day!  They worked hard and did great!
 

Sofia headed to Clermont for her first draft legal race in March!  The first F1 race with all the talented kids is really hard, but a great learning opportunity. She place in the middle of the pack and came out really motivated to train harder!  Way to go Sofia:).  Looking forward to a great season working together. 


The team has been working hard since mid February getting ready for the upcoming race season.  We have been practicing at Spanish River Athletic Fields in Boca, Lake Wyman, Quiet Waters Park and the Aquatics Center in Deerfield Beach as well as Vista View, Markham Park and Brian Piccolo Velodrome.  




Congrats to Sofia Firmino on her first race of the season at the Sandpiper 2575 Triathlon in Port St. Lucie on February 24th!  She completed a 1/2 mile swim, 14 mile bike and 3.1 mile run in 1:15 which was a PR for her!  First place finish...way to go Sofia!  She also had a great time hanging out and watching many of the pro's race as well.  

______________________________________________2012 Season

Team Lightning Headed to Clermont for the AAA Kid's Triathlon and F1 Race on July 21st.  Hannah competed in the 9 to 10 year old Kid's race and had an outstanding 3rd place finish (and was the top 9 year old by quite a margin).  Katie competed in her first draft legal race with many of the Elite 12 -17 year old girls from Florida's High Performance Teams.  She came in mid pack in 7th place and learned a great deal about draft legal racing (tons of strategy involved) and raced very smart.   The team spent the weekend together at the Cabins at Lake Louisa Park playing, riding the bikes looking at all the wild life at the park, swimming, fishing and canoeing as well as playing board games.  

Congrats to Team Lightning for their outstanding performance at USAT Florida Regional Championships at Heartland Triathlon!  Hannah Fowler and Katie Pinnell both won their age divisions becoming Florida Regional Champions! 

 

Katie racing to T1

Congrats to Hannah Fowler for her first place 9 year old age group finish at the Miami Kids Tri on June 3rd.  WTG Hannah...super proud of you!



  Three of our team members, Hannah Fowler, Shea Whitacre and Katie Pinnell did an awesome job at IronKids on Haines City.  They all made the podium and Qualified for IronKids Nationals in Des Moines Iowa.  Katie came in 1st in the 12 year old division, Hannah 2nd and Shea 5th in the 9 year old division.   They executed all the skills they learned to have a great experience.  Way to go TEAM!

 
 
 


Congrats to Karly Ruskin for her outstanding race at the West Palm Beach Fit Kid Tri and placed 2nd out of 19 racers in the Juniors 7-8 year old division.  Way to go Karly!




Special Thanks to George Manekas for taking on the challenge of putting on a Kids race series and allowing us to put flyers in his packets to help promote the word about our team.  

Congrats to Hannah Fowler and Katie Pinnell for their outstanding performances at the Miami Kid's Tri Race on May 6th!  It was great to watch you both race so well.  See Results



 The team started practice in March working on conditioning, run and bike skills as well as transitioning and some tri specific swim skills.  The kids have been doing great, really mixing up the training sessions with lots of skills mixed in with fun activities.  

ABOUT TEAM LIGHTNING

The team was formed to bring together youth and junior athletes that are interested in learning more about the sport and developing the skills necessary to compete) in races well. Proper technique, training and fitness are emphasized based on athletes ability and/or age. So far, we have had much success with team members having great race experiences and finishing high in their age divisions. They all go into the race knowing what to expect, how to do well for every aspect of the race!

The program is for children aged 9-17.


Team Practices include skills for transition, bike skills to prepare for Youth and Youth Elite events, swim skills needed to participate in a triathlon in open water and in the pool, conditoning, stretches, games and so much more.

The goal will be to develop both fundamental and advanced skills needed to participate in the sport of triathlon while also promoting healthy lifestyles,sportsmanship, safety, camraderie and fun!!!!