Marrell attended the summer program in 2016 and 2017 where he completed a triathlon each year. Through the programs and competitions he learned perseverance and endurance. He learned to push through exhaustion and always finished strong. He says that the Tri-Masters program “helped me become more athletic”. He is now attending Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, Indiana and has been recognized by Division 1 universities for his varsity performance in the sports of football, basketball, and track.
Cayra attended the Tri-Masters program from 2013 to 2015. She completed a triathlon in the summer of 2013. Cayra believes that this program helped her become a stronger swimmer overall. She attended Lindblom Math and Science Academy where she graduated with a 4.8 GPA, was the senior class Vice President, founded the natural hair club and was captain of both varsity swimming and water polo. She is now attending Emory University, the number top-ranked university in Georgia, according to US News & World Report. She is pursuing a degree in Biology, as a pre-medicine student, with a future as a dermatologist.
Cayla, the twin sister of Cayra, also attended the Tri-Masters program from 2013 to 2015. In 2013 she completed her first ever triathlon at the end of the summer. The program taught her skills like teamwork, independence, leadership, and determination; which she still uses to this day in her everyday life, school and her swimming career. She was the captain of two high school varsity sports and credits the leadership skills that she learned from the program. In the fall of 2020, she will be attending Depauw University as a Posse scholar on a full tuition leadership scholarship. Through this opportunity she will be helping others learn how to swim.
Jada along with her brother Xavier attended the Tri-Masters program from 2013 to 2015 where she competed in triathlons in both 2013 and 2014. She believes that Tri-Masters taught her discipline and helped her train for larger events. She currently attends Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory High School where she participates in marching band and track.
Kaden was a participant in the program from 2016 to 2017, where he competed in both triathlons and program races. He believes that the program helped him lose weight and taught him how to swim, run and increase his stamina. He is currently attending Gary Comer High school as an upcoming junior in the Fall 2020 school year and has started a photography business.
Jamir attended the program from 2013 to 2017 where he completed 13 triathlons. He believes that the competitions and program helped build his confidence as an athlete, and initiated his love for sports. He continued to participate in the swim team at Kenwood Academy, winning many different city wide competitions.
Lina attended the program from 2013 to 2017 where she completed 5 triathlons and multiple races. She has several relatives that participated in the program, and says that they influenced her to join and gave her support to keep her pushing through difficult tasks. She also become more fit and learned new techniques and exercises that she still uses to this day. She now attends Lindblom College Preparatory High School, and is a part of the girls softball team.
Camryn attended the program from 2013 to 2015. She competed in the 2014 Triathlon. From being in the program, she has made lifelong friends. She looks up to Coach Mike and Coach Donny and sees them as mentors. Throughout high school, she continued swimming and running cross country, which taught her endurance and perseverance. She is currently a senior at Howard University and studying to become a lawyer.
Daniel along with his younger brother participated in the program from 2013 to 2016. In the program, he was introduced to the fundamentals of exercise and training which further helped him prepare for sports such as track and soccer. He is now a senior at Mount Carmel High School with a 3.91 GPA and is currently being recruited to play collegiate soccer.
Xavier participated in the program from 2013 to 2015 along with his sister Jada. He competed in 2 triathlons. While in the program he learned to stick with the process and pace himself. Xavier went on to attend Simeon High School and Devry University’s Academic Advantage program. He then graduated and went on to attend Iowa Wesleyan University in Mt. Pleasant Iowa where he majors in psychology. He continues to participate in cross country running.
Diego participated in the program with his sister Dyan from 2013 to 2014 where he competed in 2 triathlons at ages 10 and 11. The program helped him with his endurance and training for sports like track. He currently attends Kenwood Academy where he plays football.
Karisma participated in the program from 2015 to 2016. She says that the program was a new experience for her and it led her to many new opportunities. After the program she continued to run track and even began to play basketball. She says that initially the program was difficult like any other new workout but eventually it became easier for her to complete. She appreciated inviting the environment was and how she felt safe there. She now attends Hinsdale Central High School.
Donovan attended the program along with his brother from 2013 to 2016, completing several competitions. He believes that the program taught him the importance of physical health. He now attends University of Chicago Laboratory school.
In 2020, Mark N. Curtis published the book “Young Runner’s Guide to Optimum Performance”. Please click here to read how to prepare your young athlete to become a champion.
