What We Stand For
Our work is guided by our belief that competition teaches more than good old-fashioned physical fitness. We believe in teaching life skills through the preparation for and competition in sport — specifically triathlon. Our Seven Pillars of Excellence are:
Integrity
“To me, integrity means to do what you know is right even when no one is looking; to be honest even when you want to lie; and, to be respectful even when you’re upset or angry.”
~ Austin Hindman (Age 16), St. Louis, MO HPT Team
Respect
“The act of not only treating someone the way you would like to be treated but also looking up to someone to some extent. If you respect someone there is usually a quality they have that you admire.”
~ Tamara Gorman (Age 18), Rapid City, SD HPT Team
Humility
“To be humble is to appreciate other’s strengths and weaknesses while being modest of your own.” ~ Aleena Villani (Age 17), Pleasant Prairie, WI HPT Team
Accountability
“Accountability is taking responsibility for everything you do or say, – good or bad.” ~ Ike Mendel (Age 14), Sioux Falls, SD
Sportsmanship
“Sportsmanship is like the “Golden Rule” of sports. Treat others the way you want to be treated. It also means caring for, respecting, and congratulating your team and your competition on and off the playing field.” ~ Gage Brinker (Age 9), West Des Moines, IA Competitive Team
Safety
“The safety pillar means to check your equipment before using it – even making sure your shoes are tied. Remembering to not do anything that could hurt yourself or anyone else. And, make sure to help anyone who gets hurt.” ~ Mallory Metzger (Age 11), West Des Moines, IA Competitive Team
Goal Setting
“Goal setting is a vital part of becoming a better athlete. Goals give
you motivation and define what you are training for.” ~ Luke Mohan (Age 15), Clive, IA