As many of you know, Tracy Click, a TRR Ft Belvoir member has her sites on competing in the 2016 Olympics. Just making the Olympic team would be a huge accomplishment for anyone – let alone for a disabled veteran who is competing as an able bodied athlete.

Well, the Olympics are a long way off and many challenges are to be met and conquered along the road which leads to Rio.

As such, Tracy has spent the past several months living and training in North Carolina – mostly at NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center). Well all that hard training and sacrifice paid off for Tracy when she competed in the USA Canoe/Kayak Freestyle Team Trials (held over the weekend of April 26-28) which were held at Nantahala Gorge.

Tracy placed second (to Risa Shimoda – another Washington, DC area TRR supporter) in the Women’s Squirt category thus making the US Team. As such, she qualified to compete in the 2013 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Freestyle World Championships which will be held at NOC September 2-8, 2013.

(In addition to the competition, Tracy also was involved with a special training opportunity which was held for TRR paddlers. She and several other competitors volunteered their time to paddle with, guide, and coach several TRR members who are members of TRR Chapters of the Southeast US.)

Ironically, the Freestyle Squirt is not Tracy’s main event. That event is the Slalom. The USACK Slalom Team Trials will be held at Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) which is located in Western Maryland near Deep Creek Lake. This competition will be held May 17-19 and Tracy will be in the competition.

Building upon the training that Tracy has been doing in North Carolina over the past few months, Tracy is now training at ASCI and Deep Creek Lake. Fortunately, this has been made possible through the good graces of some kindly benefactors who are allowing her to stay in their lake home this month as she prepares and competes.

Tracy’s goal for this competition is to again make the USACK Team but in the Women’s K-1 Slalom event. Should she be so fortunate, she will then head off to train and compete in Europe for the summer on the International circuit.

Trcay’s done a remarkable job of rehabilitating and rebuilding herself after being injured while serving her country. She is still fighting and struggling with the after effects of TBI & PTSD. Still, she sets a fine example of what can be accomplished when one sets their sights, works hard, sacrifices, and does what it takes to succeed.

Congratulations Tracy and good luck next week at the Trials – we will be there to cheer you on and to support you in your quest.

Financial and material support is needed and welcome. If you would like to assist Tracy get in touch with me.

Semper Fi,

Sean McCarthy
Chapter Coordinator, Fort Belvoir Team River Runner
www.TeamRiverRunner.org
www.facebook.com/teamriverrunnerfortbelvoir