Triathlon team makes impact on campus

 The university triathlon team is making an impact on the community and university by participating in different events for charity and personal health.
Sophomore biology major Joy Woods, the university triathlon president, says the club was started because of Alphonso Keaton, a biology professor at Prairie View A&M University.
Woods said, "Dr. Keaton has participated in triathlon's, more specifically Iron Mans. He wanted to get students involved, and knowing that African Americans die mostly from accidents occurring in water, he wanted a club to teach people not only how to swim, but how to manage time and stay in shape."
The triathlon team, consisting of 20 members, has helped Woods "in a mental way."
"I can do anything. Whenever I see an obstacle, I feel I can overcome it because of the rigorous training I had to do just to complete a triathlon," she said.
The triathlon team was formed last spring and has competed in events for charity organizations and health awareness. The first event was Fairfield Baptist Church's 5k Run for Greater Things. "The registration fees went to help adoptive families gain items that they may need," said Woods.
The next event Woods will be participating in is the Turkey Trot, a 5k run on Thanksgiving Day in Fort Worth, Texas. "It will be my first time doing this 5k and it is one of the major ones in my home town," she said.
Other members of the triathlon team have also been impacted by the organization.
Junior biology major Octavius Foster said, "Physically, I am in much better in shape. I used to be really active. I was involved in football, baseball, basketball, and wrestling. When I got to college I became less involved in the things I used to do. After a while, I realized that my endurance was suffering. I would walk up a flight of stairs and be tired." As a result of wanting to improve his fitness, Foster joined the triathlon team; however, he also had a person that influenced him to do it.
He said, "The advisor is one of my professors and I've always looked at him with admiration because of how he structures his life."
Foster hopes the triathlon team can help impact the student body.
"I hope that we influence more people to get involved and show others that students at a school called Prairie View are willing to make donations to support the greater of all mankind," he added.
Olivia Solomon, a junior biology major, said, "I'm glad I joined. This is something that I never thought I could do. I've learned that time management is very important. With all races we have to be able to transition. Throughout the race we are being timed so you learn that every minute of the race counts.
Solomon feels the team consists of leaders on campus.
"We are leaders because we are challenging ourselves as far as our body and mind. To see so many minorities be able to compete in such events makes me proud, because we are misrepresented in these events," said Solomon.
The criterion to be a part of the triathlon team is to have a 2.5 grade point average. Woods also requests students "be eager and willing to work."
"You don't have to be in the best shape, but just be willing to give it a shot," she said.