True Tri-Athletes
Tuesday, October 14, 2003 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Swimming one mile, biking 25 miles, and running a little more than six miles are objectives some people try to accomplish over a period of a year when it comes to exercise. This compilation of events, known as the triathlon, is a favorite hobby of University of Florida swimmers Ashley Carusone and Sara McLarty.
Competing in triathlons is more than just a hobby for the two Gator swimmers. It's a lifestyle.
Carusone is the 2001 World Triathlon Champion for the 16-19 year old age group. McLarty qualified for the Unites States triathlon team and is the 2000 national collegiate champion, after leading the University of Florida triathlon club team, the Tri-Gators, in the collegiate championship in California.
Both UF swimmers got into the triathlon action at an early age and haven't looked back since.
Once her swimming coach started a triathlon club, Carusone got into the competitions at the age of nine after begging her parents to let her get involved.
For McLarty, a senior, she began competing at the age of seven with her mom at her side as a mentor and triathlon partner.
"My parents found me a 20 minute race and told me to go do it," McLarty, a senior, said. "That was the start of my whole family becoming tri-athletes." Even today, she uses her old clunker triathlon bike with a new paint job to ride around campus.
Carusone, a 2002 USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and four-time high school state champion in the 200 IM and 500 free they, said it was a great way to stay in shape and prepare for the swimming season.
"It has helped a lot and I really enjoy doing it," Carusone said. "It is a lot of fun, and it definitely keeps your endurance up."
A senior leader and 10-time All-American, McLarty agrees with her new teammate.
"It's a mental relief," McLarty said. "The black line on the bottom of the pool gets boring real fast. I would do the triathlons to take a break, plus getting into running shape is great for swimming."
Not only have triathlons prepared them for the swimming season, they also have given the swimmers a chance to travel the globe.
"I've been all over the country," Carusone said. "I've also traveled to Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Australia, Canada, and Japan."
For McLarty, triathlons are a family affair. Her parents and brother accompany her and also participate in the triathlons.
"I have so many memories of triathlons," McLarty said. "Just being able to travel with my family to Australia and Canada, making the trips into family vacations has given me tons of memories."
Both swimmers' families seem to have gotten into the triathlon mode. While the McLarty family participates in triathlon events, Carusone's father has been running and training with his daughter for world competitions.
Carusone, McLarty and the rest of the Gators will begin the season Oct. 17, 2003 versus Michigan and FAU. Last season, the women's swimming and diving team excelled at the NCAA Championships, finishing fifth.
McLarty said she is looking forward to the upcoming season and to seeing what the new freshman class has to bring to the table.
"The outlook is very positive," McLarty said. "The freshmen are a great addition to the team. We will miss the seniors that graduated, but hopefully the freshman can fill their shoes and take over."
Carusone, the recipient of the 2002 Florida Swimmer of the Year Award, is adjusting to the campus and enjoying her new teammates.
"The upperclassmen just motivate us (freshman)," Carusone said. "They help us out if we need advice. Our freshman class is great and I think our team will improve a lot this year."
While Carusone is just beginning her college days as a UF swimmer, McLarty is finishing her last year as an extraordinary swimmer for the Gators. But her triathlon training and competitions will continue on after her college days end.
"The day after I am done at UF, I am turning pro for triathlons," McLarty said. "If you are good and are winning races, you can make a good living off of it. You just have to be in the top of the world and at the top of your game. I hope to get there pretty soon."
