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TUESDAY AUGUST 9, 2005 Last modified: Monday, August 1, 2005 12:07 PM CDT Spudman is a family affair By MARIE MISCHEL South Idaho Press Kids in backpacks, strollers and on-foot, accompanied by mom, dad or grandparents, are one clue the Spudman Triathlon is a family affair. But children aren't the only ones who lined the river, road and golf course to cheer the 1,400 triathletes on Saturday. Draper, Utah resident Lisa Cutler started Saturday morning by the river with her husband, Steve, drawing a smiley face on her swim cap. Her father, Clark Naylor, also was present to offer encouragement, as were her children. Competing in the Spudman is his daughter's "Idaho blood coming out in her," said Naylor, adding that Cutler competed in honor of her grandparents, long-time area residents Al and Bee Thaxton. Watched over by their mother, toddlers Evan and Cooper Madsen rooted for their father, Jared Madsen, at the beginning of the bicycle stage. Lisa Madsen said she and her husband participated last year, and "we tried to both sign up this year but couldn't. It's so much fun. It's a good course; it's a fast swim course and it's pretty, and not too far from home" in Salt Lake City. Sheldon Walcher, also from Salt Lake City, brought his Great Dane Mocha along to cheer for his newly-wed wife, her sister, brother and father, all high-caliber competitors. "This is my first time at the Spudman," said Walcher, who enjoys hiking and camping. "They said 'once you go, you'll want to do it,' but I haven't been convinced yet." For the Oostyens, the triathlon was a true family affair. Juliana and her brothers Jeff and Chris competed as a team, cheered on by their mother, grandmother, aunts, uncles and other assorted family and friends who came from California, Minnesota and Utah. As the John Oostyen Wanna'bes, they honored their father, who died in February. John Oostyen had completed the 2003 Spudman and was training for the 2004 race when he was diagnosed with cancer. The team and their cheering section wore T-shirts with a picture of John Oostyen on the front. The back read "It's not that I finish, it's that I have the courage to start." Having her children complete the race her husband was unable start "means everything to me," said Sally Oostyen. "It shows the greatest amount of respect and pride. Preparing for it hasn't been easy. The only thing I want is for each of us to feel John's spirit support us as we honor him." "This morning my mom said 'feel your dad,'" said Jeff Oostyen, who completed the bicycle portion of the triathlon. "I got on the bike and..hit this hill and started thinking about my dad. I had a few tears thinking about him. I just knew he was there with me." Competing with his sister and brother was "fantastic," he added. "Words can't really express it. I just think this was a necessary experience for our family as part of our healing and moving through the pain." As Chris came down the hill toward the finish line, Betty asked Jeff, "Dad would be coming in about now, don't you think? Three hours?" At the finish line with her brothers, Juliana agreed. "I think we paced Dad pretty good." Even before Chris had caught his breath, the siblings were making plans for next year's race. "I think this is what we needed to get closer as a family," said Chris. "This was one of Dad's great loves," said Jeff. "Just being able to do it means a lot."
Link to South Idaho Press |