My School Rocks! 2014-04 Arlene Goldstein | Page 16

The Hawleys introduced their kids to the Kids’ Triathlon Series to give
them a new perspective on sports. Chas and Gracie have excelled at
triathlon, with Chas placing third in last year’s series and Gracie finishing
first in the swimming leg of her races. Charley has competed in triathlons
since 2009 and Kate will compete in her first triathlon this fall.
“We now regularly run 5K events together and plan family vacations
around races,” says Charley. “We frequently go to HFFA together, [where]
we grab a couple of pool lanes and swim side-by-side.”
Five years ago, Gracie and Chas had never competed in triathlons. Now
they can’t get enough of them.
“I am very proud of my family and thankful for what triathlons have done
for us,” says Charley. “They’ve opened us up to a new world.”
Elizabeth Van Halsema is a competitive swimmer and writer from Charlotte, N.C.
She graduated in May 2013 from Gardner-Webb University with a bachelor’s
degree in English, but grew up with CMS since first grade.

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CHECK OUT HFFA’S
OTHER TRIATHLON
OPPORTUNITIES:

• Triathlon Academy of the
Carolinas: provides yearlong
training and coaching for both
kids and adults.
• Kids’ Swim, Bike, Run, Fun
Summer Camp: available in halfor full-day camps, the program
teaches correct tri techniques for
budding triathletes.
• “Stay and Play” weekend: so
the entire family can tri, kids
partake in the Kids’ Triathlon
Series on April 26 while parents
and older siblings compete in
the Huntersville Sprint Triathlon
on April 27.
• To register or learn more
about triathlon training
at HFFA, see http://hffa.
com/fitness/triathlontraining/

16 – My School Rocks! | April 2014