National Qualifier: Abby Hite

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Trying to suppress a stomach full of giggles, 6-year-old Abby Hite tumbles into the pool with a blue bungee cord trailing behind her.

She quickly pops up and begins splashing her way across the water, as the cord strapped around her waist attempts to pull her back.

Midway through the exercise, the bubbly Braden River Elementary School first-grader pops her head out of the water and grabs hold of the lane line. With her neon-yellow cap and pink goggles securely in place, Abby turns and waves to her coach, before pulling herself across the final length of the pool.

Before long, Abby comes flying back toward the starting blocks and breaks into another fit of giggles.
It’s just another typical training session for Abby, who is in the middle of preparing for her next triathlon, slated for mid-June.

Last month, Abby completed her most recent triathlon, finishing third in her age group at the United Healthcare IronKids Florida triathlon. With her third-place finish, Abby qualified for the IronKids National Championship Aug. 31, in Des Moines, Iowa.

It was Abby’s second national championship qualification after winning the St. Anthony’s Meek and Mighty Triathlon April 28, in St. Petersburg. Abby won her age group with a time of 27 minutes, 33 seconds and finished 107th overall out of 609 competitors.

“I never knew I could be that good at running, biking and swimming,” Abby says. “I was happy, though, because I tried my hardest and that’s all I can do.”

Abby completed her first triathlon when she was 5 years old. The then-kindergartner always enjoyed biking, running and swimming, so she decided to give the sport a try.

She finished first in her first triathlon — the Tri If You Dare Kids Triathlon.

“It was kind of fun,” Abby says. “I thought I would get third or maybe second, but I didn’t think I would get first because I was just starting.”

During each triathlon, Abby completes a 100-yard swim, a 3.5-mile bike ride and a half-mile run. Although, she admits the bike ride is by far her favorite part of the race.

“It reminds me of when I was a little kid,” Abby says of biking. “When I first learned how to ride a bike, it was really fun. Plus, I don’t really have to use my arms.”

Abby, who also swims for the Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners, trains six days a week. She spends two days a week focusing on each specific component of the race.

In addition, Abby also participates in training sessions with her coach, Jeff Logsdon, who is one of her Wave Runners coaches.

“She’s a blast to work with,” Logsdon says. “Abby has the drive and willingness to learn. She has the drive to actually meet her goals, and her will to win is very strong.

“She has the drive of a champion,” Logsdon says. “It’s funny to say that at 6 years old, but she has something special. She’s a special kid.”

Abby has two triathlons and pair of swim meets scheduled in June, including the 9th annual Tri If You Dare Kids Triathlon June 30, in Seminole. Then, she will take a month off before preparing for her national triathlon.

Although Abby may be a little apprehensive about competing on a national stage for the first time, she’s prepared to give it her all.

“I don’t think I’m ready for it, yet,” Abby says. “There are going to be so many people watching me. It’ll be fun, but I’m going to be shivering. I shiver really bad when I’m nervous.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].