Gators Take a Bite Out of Triathlon in Alberta
You might have noticed them at various triathlons across Alberta and beyond, proudly sporting their distinctive green gator emblem on the front of their tri-suits. These dedicated athletes are none other than the members of the St. Albert Gators. Known for their vibrant team spirit and impressive performances throughout the years, the Gators have become a recognizable presence in the triathlon community. Whether competing in local events or traveling to races in other regions, their commitment to excellence and camaraderie shines through, making them a team to watch and admire.
The St. Albert Gators is one of the oldest clubs in the province, founded in 1997 by an adult club with World Triathlon Hall of Famer Sheila O'Kelly at the helm to give kids aged eight to eighteen a chance at the sport. Since then, the program has continuously reached program capacity, even with additional coaching staff added.
The Gators are not just about triathlon however, the program focuses on the development of life skills such as goal, setting, self-esteem, and social skills while allowing the athletes to grow competitively in a positive atmosphere.
"Gators is a year-round club with a triple-track program" explains head coach Glenn Wilson. "We have our flex program, an intro to triathlon training with an emphasis on meeting the athlete where they are and creating challenges from there. Our development program is an introduction to performance training with a goal of winter and summer triathlon performances and our performance team is a periodized training program with an emphasis on individualized performances."
The club's coaching philosophy is closely aligned with the long-term athlete development model in Canada with a priority on proficiency first and performance coming second.
"A strong foundation of fundamental skills followed by carefully measured performances are central to our coaching philosophy" Wilson said.
The program boasts strong leadership with Glenn, who has been with the Gators since 2002. With a background in competitive swimming, including NCAA Division 1 in Utah, Glenn transitioned to coaching immediately after. He has since coached three Olympians and served as Bermuda's National Swim Coach. Additionally, he is a PE Specialist at a St. Albert school.
The program also has Isabelle Poulin leading the Junior Gators. Isabelle did her first triathlon at age seven and has since competed in over seventy triathlons. She has been a member of Triathlon Alberta's Provincial Development Team and has competed in events such as the Western Canada Summer Games. She is currently working towards a degree in biology.
With no signs of slowing down, we expect the Gators to continue to grow in future years with that fierce-looking gator proudly worn on tri-suits across the province and further.
