The Nevada Sagebrush

Triathlete aims for Olympics

By: Chris Muller

Monday, November 30, 2009 - 10:48 PM

Nevada senior Kara LaPoint ran cross country and was on the ski team for both the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Denver. After her NCAA eligibility ran out, she focused on becoming a triathlete and now hopes to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics. Photo courtesy of Nevada Media Services

When University of Nevada, Reno senior Kara LaPoint’s collegiate athletic eligibility ran out, the last thing she wanted to do was stop competing at a high level.

LaPoint, a 22-year old journalism major and former member of the Wolf Pack track and field and ski teams, started training to become a triathlete soon after her NCAA career was finished.

LaPoint, who often writes stories for The Nevada Sagebrush, competed in her first triathlon, which combines three different events: cycling, running and swimming, last July in Sacramento, Calif., which was an “Olympic distance” triathlon. It consisted of a 1.2-mile swim, 24-mile bike and a 10-kilometer run.

A few weeks ago, LaPoint competed in a three-day Lake Tahoe marathon. The race consisted of a three-mile swim on day one, a 72-mile bike ride around the lake on day two, followed by a 26-mile marathon run on the following day. The times were kept cumulative each day.

“(The race) was the hardest thing I’d ever done,” said LaPoint, a native of Truckee, Calif. “I ended up winning overall. I beat all the guys so that was pretty cool.”

After skiing and running track at the University of Denver as well as with the Wolf Pack, LaPoint’s focus shifted to running half-marathons and marathons this semester. The Truckee Meadows region does not have a lot of these races, so LaPoint spends most weekends traveling solo across California for races.

“I’m leaving (the races) and people are always saying, ‘Don’t you have anyone with you?’” she said. “It’s hard.”

With a 17-credit class load and a daily commute from Truckee to Reno for classes, LaPoint has to balance her time effectively.

LaPoint has been running, skiing and swimming most of her life. Competitive athletics have been ingrained within her family. Her mother, Margie, is a competitive cyclist and cross country skier while her father, Bob, is a former world champion water skier.

LaPoint considers her athletic parents her biggest role models. Margie LaPoint said that Kara always “pushes herself to the limit.”

“(Kara’s) competitive spirit is in her genes,” Margie said.

LaPoint, who will graduate in December, is looking forward to having extra time to devote to her training.

Her new goal is to make the Kona “Iron Man” triathlon in Santa Cruz, Calif., next year. The triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26-mile marathon run in one day. She also has aspirations of making the United States Olympic Team in time for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

“I don’t think I’ll be ready in time for (the 2012 games),” she said.

LaPoint’s best friend, Chelsea Holmes, who skied for the Wolf Pack from 2006-09, said that LaPoint is an “amazing all-around athlete.”

Holmes added that LaPoint has “unparalleled” mental toughness and has a great chance to make the United States Olympic team.

“Kara is incredibly strong,” she said. “It’s just a matter of applying herself and going for it.”

Chris Muller can be reached at sports@nevadasagebrush.com.