Athlete of the Month:   SoCalJr Elite  

Time for the Athlete of the Month for February. Or should we say Athlete(S) of the Month. For the first time in Triathletix history, a group of athletes share the title as we honor the young competitors of the 2006 SoCal Junior Elite triathlon team. SoCal Junior Elite is a competitive group of triathletes ranging from 13 to 22 years old who compete both regionally and nationally with great success. 2006 saw the team connect with Triathletix coaches to take their performance to another level and the results spoke for themselves.
 
Highlights from the 2006 campaign:

• The team’s dominant performance in the SoCal Series, a combination of ITU-style draft legal races and traditional non-drafting races
• The USAT Southwest Regional Tri Series (all ITU draft-legal). SoCal had members in the Top-10 in each age and gender division including the 2006 Southwest Regional Champion, Esme Levy.
• Youth/Junior Elite National Championships (ITU draft legal) in Bridgeport, CT. At the National Championships, Esme finished 12th in the Girls 13-15 and Jared Brown was 26th in Boys 13-15.

Additionally, a number of SoCal Jr. Elite team members joined the LA Tri Club at the USAT Club National Championships at the Pumpkinman Tri at Lake Mead, helping LATC to a 2nd place overall finish and cleaning house in the junior age divisions on a VERY tough, hilly course. Jared, Cory Gottfeld, and Jonathan Ooms finished 5, 6, and 7th respectively in the Male 19 & Under age group while Esme and Kelsey Parsons went 1-2 in the Female 19&U. Its worth noting that Esme and Kelsey would have been in the Top 5 in EVERY other Female age group with their times.
 
At the end of the year, USAT ranks its athletes and the following SoCal Jr. Elite members were nationally ranked in their divisions:

• Esme Levy - 5th, 13-15 y.o. Youth Elite Female (including All American Honorable Mention)
• Kelsey Parsons - 10th, 16-19 y.o. Jr. Elite Female
• Jared Brown - 13th, 13-15 y.o. Youth Elite Male
• Jonathan Ooms - 33rd 16-19 y.o. Jr. Elite Male
• Cory Gottfeld - 43rd, 16-19 y.o. Jr. Elite Male

Overall, it was an amazing year of growth and success. The team was planted firmly on the podium at virtually every race they entered. And they had a LOT of fun along the way. This year is starting up right where 2006 left off. Team members have already begun to set the bar with podium spots at local USCF bicycle races including wins and consistent podiums at the Piru 20K Time Trial series. Many of the members will begin criterium racing in order to prepare for the draft legal races to come. While health and fun are always the priority and the SoCalJrs also provide a path to world level competition and the Olympics.
 
Congrats to all the SoCal Jr. Elites and here’s to more success in 2007, 

The Coaches of Triathletix
 
 

SoCal Jr. Elite members:

• Max Aruj
• Emily Berkin
• Jared Brown
• Cory Gottfeld
• Esme Levy
• Jonathan Ooms
• Kelsey Parsons
• Eric Valois    

View Previous Athletes of the Month