Fly Tri Racing

🏆June Athlete of the Month: Ean Columbus🏆

Some athletes earn recognition because of a breakthrough performance. Others earn it because of how they handle adversity.This month, we're proud to recognize Ean Columbus as our June Athlete of the Month.

After reaching one of his biggest goals in the fall by breaking 20 minutes in cross country, Ean put together a strong winter of training and was poised for a great track season. Then, unfortunately just before the season began, a knee injury threatened to derail everything.

Just like that, Ean found himself unable to run. For many athletes, that's where frustration takes over. Instead, Ean doubled down on the things he could control.

He cross-trained. He completed his strength work. He stayed engaged with the process. While his competitors were logging miles and racing, Ean was spending time on the bike and in the weight room building fitness.

Ean was patient about adding running back in gradually. He listened to his body and had no qualms about returning to the bike if something didn’t feel right. For many athletes, months away from racing can lead to frustration or trying to rush the process, but not Ean.

The result?
When he was finally healthy enough to return, he hadn't lost the aerobic engine he spent months developing. The consistency he showed while injured allowed him to transition back to running far more smoothly than most athletes could.

By the time TAPPS North Region 1A Championships rolled around, Ean was ready.
He won the regional title and secured a trip to state.

Then, at the TAPPS State Track and Field Championships, he finished 5th overall, running at a level that mirrored where he had ended cross country season despite spending much of the spring unable to run.

Smart training, strength work, and consistency matter. Perhaps, he is just a born racer at heart: he also competes in kart racing, where he is also a force to reckoned with on the track.

Congratulations, Ean on an incredible comeback season and best of luck as you head to Schreiner University this fall to study pre-physical therapy and continue your running career.

A great weekend on the track for the crew at the Lonestar Showcase in Southlake 🔥

Several athletes took advantage of some leftover fitness from track season before shifting gears into summer base-building for cross country.

Cooper McGraner
3200m: 9:28.77 (6th OA, 5-second PR)💥
1600m: 4:27.92 (26th OA)
Cooper raced aggressively to see what he could do and came away with a huge breakthrough in the 3200.

Maverick Murray
800m: 2:06.46 (PR, 6th in heat)💥
Controlled, even splits and a smart race ex*****on.

Marcos Rivera
1 Mile: 4:38 (5-second PR, 6th in heat)💥
Another big PR

Oscar Padilla
1 Mile: 5:20.18 (6th in heat)

Micah Hayman
1 Mile: 5:35.56

Now it’s time to transition into the summer miles, aerobic development, and the work that sets up a strong fall season💪

Open Water Pro Tip for Beginner Swimmers
Most people will tell you to “sight more” in open water… but here’s what they don’t tell you:
Don’t just sight — sight with purpose.
Instead of lifting your head high and killing your momentum, try this:
Peek "forward" right before you breathe.
Quick glance → turn to breathe → maintain your rhythm.
This will keep your hips from dropping, saves energy, and helps you stay on course without breaking your stroke every time.
Bonus: Pick something tall and stationary that's in line with the buoy (perhaps a tree, a building, a tower) instead of just the buoy. It’s way easier to see sometimes and stay straight.
Small adjustments in your technique will make a big difference! Happy swimming! 💦