08/01/08, Article: Tri-California Events, Picture: Tim Carlson
The pursuit of the Olympic dream is being lived out everyday as athletes practice and compete all over the country. While some countries hand select their athletes for their national teams, the U.S. has a rigorous qualification process where earning a spot is never guaranteed beforehand.
Each athlete must prove to not only themselves but the entire country that they deserve to wear the "Red, White and Blue". This year's triathlon team is represented by 6 athletes that have given themselves completely to their craft and have flourished in the most important races of the year.
Our U.S. Women's team is comprised of Laura Bennett, Julie Ertel and Sarah Haskins-Korteum. The U.S. Men's team includes Jarrod Shoemaker, Matthew Reed and Hunter Kemper. Each earned their way onto the team by either winning their Qualifying race or by placing the highest among the American competitors in the field.
