"Parker Swanborn has great potential," according to triathlon training coach Maria Cimonetti. "At 15, Parker is not only one of the youngest multi-sport athletes, he is a talented and skillful competitor."

"I ran cross country in sixth grade and absolutely hated it," said the recent sophomore at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School (LCWS). "Although my first running experience wasn't positive, I ran a leg of the marathon last year and enjoyed it. So when they offered triathlon training as an after-school sport this year I signed up." Swanborn was unable to pinpoint what sparked his interest in the twice-weekly triathlon training (albeit his longstanding friendship with world-class athlete and Cimonetti may have provided a degree of inspiration), but he's glad he did. "It's a lot of fun."

Swanborn began triathlon training this winter. On June 6 he competed in his first-ever sprint triathlon (a 500-meter pool swim, 13.1-mile bike and a 5K run) in Stowe. The triathlon novice didn't just finish the race, his time of 1:14:10, took first place in his age group (15-21 years old) and 12th place out of a field of 81 competitors. Looks like Swanborn may have found his calling.

Cimonetti agrees wholeheartedly. "Parker is an enthusiastic triathlete and a fantastic young man. Whether he is biking hill repeats in a cold March sleet or starting his day with an early morning run, Parker throws himself into any challenge. He loves to go fast. His lightheartedness, earnestness and work ethic are admired by all his teammates," Cimonetti shares. "Parker finishes every race with a big smile and a firm congratulatory handshake for his closest competitor. He is a true sportsman and a great kid. I am honored to be his coach."
"Swimming is the most difficult part for me," Swanborn said. "I only breathe on one side. But I'm definitely improving and getting stronger." He continues his twice-weekly training throughout the summer and looks ahead to finalizing his next competitions with help from Cimonetti.

And there's an abundance of competitive triathlon opportunities in Vermont this summer. Especially because triathlon races vary in distance. The main international race distances are sprint distance (750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run), Olympic distance (1.5 km swim, 40 km ride, 10 km run,) the long course (1.9 km swim, 90 km ride, 21.1 km run, such as the Half Ironman), ultra distance (3.8 km swim, 180 km ride, and a marathon, 42.2 km run, commonly referred to as a Ironman triathlon).

In addition to triathlons, Swanborn was the soccer goalie for the first time this fall, enjoys indoor climbing, and has been involved in Aikido, a Japanese martial art, year-round since the seventh grade.

"I was born on July 13, 1994. In the same room I sleep in now." he says proudly. His family includes parents, Sueanne and Scot, 12-year-old brother Forest, and a cat named Bear. He has attended LCWS since kindergarten and graduates with the Class of 2013.

In answer to a question about his proudest moment to date he quipped, "I don't have one yet. I'm still working on it." Ah, to be young again.

As far as future plans Swanborn thinks short term. "College is definitely in my future. But for now I'd really like to enter an Olympic distance triathlon within the next year. Preferably this summer or fall," he said decidedly.

Swanborn's easy-going personality belies the hard work and willingness this student-athlete applies to whatever he sets his mind to. I suspect there is a bright future ahead for this young man. The potential is there.