Middle School Students Get Triathlon Education

Winning isn't the only thing, but trying to is.

That was the message — one of the messages — that triathlete Kevin Reen brought to Swampscott Middle School students.

School health and wellness teacher Jan Rushton invited Kevin, an accomplished and determined triathlete, to talk to hundreds of students.

In the school school gym from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 23, the Swampscott police officer and winner of four JCC triathlons talked about swimming and biking and running, and how to transition from one activity to another.

He showed students specialized triathlon equipment and put the students on a bike.

These strategies will come in handy when Jan Rushton brings at least five of the school's 8th graders to MIT on July 21, to compete in the USA Youth Triathlon.

They will compete as members of the school's new triathlon team, inspired by their teacher, Kevin and the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.

The school wellness teacher wants to establish an enduring triathlon program for students.

Triathlons teach athletes about discipline, perseverance and self awareness.

These attributes will serve the students well throughout their lives, as will swimming and biking and running, Jan said.

She is an open ocean swimmer.

And she wants to help kids on the road to healthy living by swimming, biking and running.

Each activity is fun in of itself but by competing in a triathlon the athletes get to put all three together.