2008 Woodie Awards
McGonigal becomes an Ironman
Keats travels to Hawaii for triathlon competition
Bethany Hergert, Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/14/06
Last Updated: 12/26/07
Both Keats' and April's parents made the trip, as well as Keats' sister Shannon McGonigal and some close friends of April's family. All got to watch Keats' race, and watch him and April cross the finish line together.
"April's mom handed Keats a Hawaiian flag about 100 yards from the finish, and he held that up as he came in, his symbol that he had done Ironman Hawaii," said Keats' father and Whitworth Dean of the Chapel, Terry McGonigal.?"April was able to step on the course about 40 yards from the finish, and they ran in together across the finish line.? How appropriate for them to finish together.? I will never forget that moment and the joy on their faces."
Keats initial interest in triathlons began when he and April decided to do them together as a hobby. They competed in their first few races together. April has competed in a half-Ironman and hopes to one day do a full Ironman when the timing is right.
"April is a great triathlete in her own right," Keats said. "She doesn't like to admit it, but she is."
Keats plans to compete in another Ironman competition in Canada next August. He doesn't see his success in any of the competitions as a singular effort but instead the strength he finds through those who support and love him.
"One big thing that I would like everybody to know is how much my wife and my parents really supported me in this," Keats said. "I was the one that was competing, but I could not have done it without their help and support, both physically and emotionally. Their support was huge. Without them I don't think that I could have done it."
"April's mom handed Keats a Hawaiian flag about 100 yards from the finish, and he held that up as he came in, his symbol that he had done Ironman Hawaii," said Keats' father and Whitworth Dean of the Chapel, Terry McGonigal.?"April was able to step on the course about 40 yards from the finish, and they ran in together across the finish line.? How appropriate for them to finish together.? I will never forget that moment and the joy on their faces."
Keats initial interest in triathlons began when he and April decided to do them together as a hobby. They competed in their first few races together. April has competed in a half-Ironman and hopes to one day do a full Ironman when the timing is right.
"April is a great triathlete in her own right," Keats said. "She doesn't like to admit it, but she is."
Keats plans to compete in another Ironman competition in Canada next August. He doesn't see his success in any of the competitions as a singular effort but instead the strength he finds through those who support and love him.
"One big thing that I would like everybody to know is how much my wife and my parents really supported me in this," Keats said. "I was the one that was competing, but I could not have done it without their help and support, both physically and emotionally. Their support was huge. Without them I don't think that I could have done it."
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