Kevin Mathiesen   

Named after Basketball great Kevin Garnett, Kevin Mathiesen is another athlete that is full of determination and drive. He enjoys Basketball and Soccer, but his main sports is Triathlons. He has competed in more than 14 races and is a member of the tri4Him Jr Elite team.  He makes straight A’s in all pre-ap classes at school, and is going in to the 6^th grade in the fall. Kevin’s mom says that “he is a good friend, who believes in standing up for what is right, making good choices, and always being kind to others.” Which makes Kevin not only a great athlete but a great role-model.

 

 

 

Name: Kevin Mathiesen
Age: 11
Home Town: Mansfield, Tx
Sport(s):
  Tri4Him junior elite team
Basketball and soccer
IG: @kgmathtri
Hobbies: sports, fishing, and hanging out with my big family

 

 

 

Interview with Kevin

Georgia: How did you get into triathlons?
Kevin: I got in to triathlon when my little sister was training for one back in 2015. I decided to train with her to help her and ended up falling in love with it.

Georgia: How many races have you done before? How did you do?
Kevin: I’ve done 14 races. I’ve had 2 first overall podiums (hoping for one more tomorrow) and several age group podiums. This season I have struggled because I moved up in age group, so I am the youngest (10, but racing 11-12 yr old’s) and my distances have doubled (200m swim, 6mi bike, 1mi run). I am also racing in much more competitive races. Overall, I have gotten much better this year, thanks to my coach, Wes Barrett.

** Kevin answered my questions back in June. Now in August he has completed  16 races. Earning 1st place on his July 2nd race and 3rd place on his July 22nd race.

Georgia: Did you have a preferred event when it comes to swimming running and biking? Which do you think is the hardest?
Kevin: My preferred event is the bike because when you get out of the water, the bike makes your feet go fast and you get your adrenaline really going. The worst part is the run because your legs are numb, it is very hot in Texas, and you are very tired and feel like you might throw up.

Georgia: What was your favorite race?
Kevin: The Little Bison at Ironman Buffalo Springs in Lubbock, Tx. The water was chilly and some of the course was shared with the adults doing the ironman, so they were cheering the kids on and really encouraging us. That was my first overall win (last year).

Georgia: What other sports do you do? Are you on a swim team?
Kevin: I love to play Basketball. My dad coaches our team, and we’ve played together since the first grade. I also play Soccer with my friends from school. I really love to play all sports. I used to be on a swim team, but now I swim with my tri team, which I joined in November of last year.

Georgia: What are they best days to train and do you have a favorite person to train with?
Kevin: I love to train in the fall when it isn’t too hot. Especially Saturdays, when we get more time to do swim, bike, run and transition practice all together. My favorite people to train with is definitely my Tri4Him teammates because we are extremely competitive and it motivates us to always try to beat each other. Plus, they are all very funny and like to work hard, too, so its always fun. Last year, I pretty much practiced by myself, which was no fun at all. The best part is seeing each other during a race and being able to cheer each other on while on the course, then celebrating together after.

Georgia: What is your favorite thing to do with your friends or family?
Kevin: I love to play games and sports and swim with my cousins, and go on trips with my family. We are a big family and we’re very close, so we get to hang out all the time.

Georgia: Do you ever get to race your sister?
Kevin: I only raced my sister once, because she is usually still in the younger race age group. But, at practice we race each other. She is a very fast sprinter and can sometimes beat me in sprints.

Georgia: I always love to ask about food. So, if you had to pick, would you rather have cookies or cake?
Kevin: I would pick cookies because I don’t like the frosting on cake. It is too rich for me.

Georgia: What is one thing you would tell another kid who wanted to do a triathlon?
Kevin: Go hard! No pain, no gain! Practice, practice, practice. Don’t be nervous, its fun! Don’t be afraid to crash. My coach says: “If you don’t ever crash, you’re not going fast enough.” Mostly just believe in yourself and have fun. Triathlon is a great sport you can do for your whole life and the people are very encouraging!