Morgan Swafford, left, is shown with Mike Steffen after a race they participated in through the organization myTeam Triumph. It allows those with special needs known as “captains,” like Swafford, to compete in triathlons, races and more with the help of people known as “angels,” like Steffen. The two are competing in the USAT National Championships on Sunday, Aug. 6, in Milwaukee, Wis. Photos provided.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Several local people are competing in the USAT National Championships on Sunday, Aug. 6.

Gambit LaRue and Morgan Swafford, both of Warsaw, will be in the physically challenged team division of the triathlon championships, which will be in Milwaukee, Wis.

Both LaRue and Swafford are regular participants in area triathlons and races through myTeam Triumph, which allows those with special needs or “captains” to be in those events with the assistance of others, known as “angels.”

LaRue and Swafford will be joined by their respective angels, Barb Martz and Mike Steffen.

Martz, who serves as president of myTeam Triumph’s Northern Indiana chapter, said she heard two spots were open for the USAT National Championships and secured them for LaRue and Swafford.

“The swim is a 750-meter (one), (there’s) a 12-mile bike (portion) and a 5K (run),” said Martz. “(For) the swim, (LaRue and Swafford will be) pulled in (boats behind Steffen and me). (For) the bike (portion), they are pulled behind our (bikes in specialized carts), and then we take the detachment off the (bikes) and then put the wheel on for the actual run portion (in which we push them in the carts).”

LaRue’s mother, Christy LaRue, said she, her husband, Richard Larue, and the rest of the family are “excited” for Gambit to participate in the USAT National Championships.

Gambit’s only done competitions so far in Indiana and Michigan, Christy said. She praised myTeam Triumph for helping Gambit with “his confidence, his patience and building his social skills.”

“We’re very appreciative of myTeam Triumph,” she said.

Martz has organized a GoFundMe to help pay for the trip to Wisconsin. People are welcome to give by clicking the link here.

Gambit LaRue, front, and his helper, Barb Martz, are shown after a myTeam Triumph event. They also will be participating in the USAT National Championships on Aug. 6.