Athlete Spotlight
Alex Palekar, AGE 8
Home state: Florida
Favorite discipline: Swimming
Dream race destination: Hawaii
Goal for next season: Podium at Nationals
Prerace ritual: Walk the course and check /recheck my transition
Hidden talent: Building Legos
Favorite post-race treat: Pancakes, bacon and sausage
How you relax: Watch Nickelodeon
Motto: I can do it (I say it fast three times)
Proudest multisport moment: Competing in my first triathlon when I was 6 and coming in first place
 


 


 


Mason Oliva , AGE 12
Home state: Colorado
Favorite discipline: Running
Dream race destination: Olympic Games
Prerace ritual: Eating out day before race day
Goal for next season: Finish top-50 in draft -legal and training for speed
Hidden talent: Skiing
How you relax: Sit in a hot tub
Favorite post-race treat: Bananas and bagel with cream cheese
Proudest multisport moment: Took second place at Colorado State Games Triathlon
Motto: Determined & strong
 


 


 


Megan Iammarino, AGE 16
Home state: Arizona
Favorite discipline: Cycling
Dream race destination: IRONMAN World Championship in Kona
Goal for next season: Olympic-distance triathlon under 2:40
Prerace ritual: Listening to music and reading inspirational quotes
Hidden talent: Skilled at math and quick calculations
Favorite post-race treat: Smoothie, Vega protein bar
How you relax: Looking back at previous good workouts and reading triathlon-related books/articles
Proudest multisport moment: Finishing my first 70.3 triathlon at age 15
Motto: Fear is a powerful enemy but passion is an even stronger friend
 


 


 


Anthony Cuadros, AGE 9
Home state: Indiana
Favorite discipline: Running
Goal for next season: Drop time
Prerace ritual: Stay positive and pray
Hidden talent: Singing
How you relax: Play video games
Proudest multi sport moment: Placing 12th at Junior Nationals
Favorite post-race treat: Icee
Motto: Never give up!
Dream race destination: Wherever the Olympics are, and India (yes, India — not Indiana!)
 


 


 


Want your profile in the magazine?
Email your answers and a close-up photo to communications@usatriathlon.org with “youth profile” in the subject line.
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