Kristin Anderson, University Relations, (517) 355-2281 or ander284@msu.edu
11/22/2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - A trip to Mexico is viewed as an ideal spring break vacation for many students, but for Aaron Scheidies of Farmington, it was the chance to shine in competition at the 2002 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships.
Scheidies, a Michigan State University junior majoring in kinesiology, was one of approximately 3,000 athletes from more than 75 countries to travel to Cancun Nov. 9-10 to participate in the triathlon world championships.
The biggest challenge for Scheidies was not the approximately 31-mile race, but rather a hereditary disease called macular degeneration, that causes a gradual decrease in his central vision.
In his lifetime, Scheidies has competed in more than 20 triathlons, which consist of swimming 1.5-kilometers, biking 40-kilometers and running 10-kilometers. He has done all these races with 20/300 vision (20/200 vision is considered legally blind). He raced in 90-degree temperatures in Cancun, with close to 100 percent humidity, to a first place in the visually impaired division and a second overall finish in the athletes with disabilities category.
"For MSU students with disabilities, Aaron shows that a disability need not limit dreams," said Aaron Miller, editor of The Harbinger, the newsletter for the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities at MSU. "Aaron exemplifies that people with disabilities are normal people with special circumstances who live very full and active lives."
"I thought the course and competition were so sweet, I have never raced with such diverse competition and a range of people with disabilities," Scheidies said. "Some of my fellow triathletes had only one leg, were totally blind or used wheelchairs."
Because of his disability he was permitted to compete with a guide to aid him in seeing marking buoys in the water or hairpin turns throughout the race. Scheidies chose Matt West of Ypsilanti as his guide because of their comparable abilities in the triathlon. West, a former track star at Eastern Michigan University, kept Scheidies on course and pedaled with him on a tandem bike.
"I have done a lot of triathlons on my own and my disease forces me to be very alert and aware of my surroundings throughout the race," Scheidies said. "Usually I will memorize a course the day before so I can anticipate making a move to avoid a pothole or make a sharp turn. I liked having Matt there so I did not have to worry about the course, but it was a little frustrating for both us to have to adapt our competition styles."
Although he did not improve his personal best time of 2 hours and 13 minutes, Scheidies fought off painful side aches and cramps in his calves, brought on by the high temperatures, to finish in 2:24. Overall, his time was still six minutes faster than his qualifying time and he had his best split ever in the biking portion of the race.
Balance Bar, Eclipse Interactive, Running Fit and Mailboxes Etc. were his sponsors.
"Competing at this level against athletes from around the world was unbelievable," Scheidies said. "I met a lot of the pro triathletes that were racing the next day and it was my first time watching a professional event."
Son of Michael and Mary Scheidies of Farmington, Scheidies is a 2000 graduate of Farmington High School, where he competed in soccer before his eyesight began failing. His impairment, however, did not stop him from excelling in the sports of cross country, swimming and track.
Scheidies has furthered his athletic career by becoming one of the best triathletes at the university. At MSU he is also president of the triathlon club, a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Tower Guard Honor Society and is on the dean's list.
"Aaron is a tenacious student and athlete who goes after his goals with a passion," Miller said. "He is a talented and friendly student who has an above-average motivation to succeed."
Looking ahead to graduation in 2005, Scheidies hopes to work in physical therapy, where he will put to use the patience and persistence that have made him a champion in the triathlon. He said that without his disease, he would not have the motivation to train or battle as hard as he has to achieve success in his sport and life.
For more information on the ITU World Championship, the triathlon or the MSU triathlon club visit the Web sites at www.cancuntriathlon.com/, www.triathlon.org/ and www.msu.edu/~triclub/