The Kroc Center in Greenville hosted the first-ever Tri My Best triathlon event for children with disabilities. Anderson University DPT students, along with Dr. Sue Denninger, had the honor of volunteering at the event.
“We had four students complete their DPT service learning course with the event organizers, and they were integral to its success. The rest of us volunteered as race buddies and assisted the athletes during their swim, bike and run/roll events,” Dr. Denninger said.
Tri My Best is for children age 4 through 18 who have developmental disabilities which include Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and global delays. Many of the students paired up with adaptive athletes, running, rolling or walking alongside them as they swam, ran and bicycled the course, lending a helping hand as needed.
“It was such a joy to participate in this event as a race buddy,” said student Emily Atkinson. “My athlete, Kim Brock, has been preparing for this event for weeks by practicing the swim, bike, and run portions of the triathlon. She did such a phenomenal job and is a true inspiration to everyone around her.”
Students from the College of Health Professions who participated in Tri My Best were Anthony Rivero, Emily Atkinson, Cassidy Branham, Jackson Propst, Joshua Ratliff, Katelyn Jordan, Dallas Davenport and Katie Rogers.