Ironhawk Juniors Trains Girls for More Than Just Triathlons
Story by Lucy Mason.
The Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon Club (IHJ) is an Omaha-based nonprofit organization that provides a free, multi-week triathlon training program for young girls ages 7-14. The culmination of hard work and athletics from their weekly practices is showcased on Event Day, when the girls participate in a triathlon and earn their medals at the end of the program.
Four sisters from the Ferguson family are veteran participants of the program. Evelyn, 18, has been with the program from the very beginning. She will be going to college in the fall. She and her sister Vivian, 15, are group leaders for the organization. Vera, 12, began the program the moment she aged into it. Ilia, 7, followed in all her sisters’ footsteps and is the newest Ironhawk Junior member in the family.
All of the girls have taken their athleticism beyond the program. Evelyn and Vivian are both wrestlers at Skutt, Vera plays soccer at St. Patrick’s, and Ilia is an avid biker and currently learning how to swim. The Ferguson girls are prime examples of how Ironhawk Juniors fosters teamwork and hard work in young girls.
Edge: What made you want to return each year to Ironhawk Juniors and subsequently return to be a volunteer?
Evelyn: The atmosphere. Everyone lifts each other up and I wanted to give that back to the community!
Vivian: I love the weekly workout and routine. Race day was my favorite and I like working with kids.
Edge: How does being a volunteer differ from being in the program? How do you like it?
Evelyn: There is a lot more leadership being used. I like it because I get to watch the girls succeed and meet their end goal.
Vivian: I get to help kids succeed in the ways I was helped!
Edge: How has being in a triathlon and training each year affected your life outside of Ironhawk?
Evelyn: It has taught me that nothing is impossible if you put the hard work in. For me, it carried on with female wresting and trap shooting in high school.
Vivian: It strengthens my endurance.
Edge: What is it like to see your younger sisters following in the same direction?
Evelyn: I am happy they get to have the same experience I had! They get to be around the same atmosphere and positivity.
Vivian: It is great that we get to stay together and do Ironhawk as sisters!
Edge: How do you think being in the program has affected growing up from a girl to a young woman?
Evelyn: I have a lot more self-confidence than my female peers outside of Ironhawk. It has taught perseverance, endurance, and teamwork.
Vivian: It is great to see Ironhawk have something special for girls to grow.
Edge: What did you expect when you started going to Ironhawk that turned out to be different?
Vera: I thought no one would help me. But they improved my swimming, my breathing for running, and my posture for biking. Always wear a helmet!
Edge: How has Ironhawk affected your athleticism and your competitiveness?
Vera: Ironhawk has helped my athleticism and competitiveness come easily, both mentally and physically, and helped me learn that breaks are OK.
Edge: How do you feel being surrounded by other girls who are as into athletics as you are?
Ilia: Really good!
Edge: How does it make you feel to learn how to do a triathlon and to train with other girls for it?
Ilia: It’s fun! I love playing with the girls!
