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TriPhins: Three Jacksonville University employees excel at ‘Never Quit’ team challenge while honoring former co-worker

The TriPhins -- Jacksonville University's Dave Farraday (from left), Kim Capriotti and Rhett Yates -- placed fifth among 35 relay teams at the Never Quit Beach Fest Series on May 19 in Jacksonville Beach.

Three JU employees — Dr. Kim Capriotti, Dr. Rhett Yates and Dave Farraday — placed fifth as a relay team in the fifth annual Never Quit Beach Fest Series on May 19 in Jacksonville Beach.

Capriotti is associate professor of finance and accounting; Yates is associate professor of aeronautics; and Farraday is senior associate athletic director.

The JU trio, TriPhins, competed in the Never Quit Trident Challenge, which consists of three legs — a 5-kilometer run, 500-meter ocean swim, and a 1.5-kilometer ocean surfboard paddle. Farraday is the runner, Capriotti is an avid swimmer and, while Yates loves to surf, he competes in this race as the paddle boarder.

TriPhins competed with 35 relay teams and finished in 10th place out of 210 Trident Challenge competitors (relay teams and solo participants).  Farraday was the ninth-fastest relay runner and second- fastest in his age group; Capriotti was the 15th fastest relay swimmer and second in her age group; and Yates was the 10th fastest relay paddler and first in his age group.

What started as an athletic partnership and an opportunity to compete in a unique triathlon competition has now become a strong friendship for the JU teammates.  At an average age of 49, the JU crew defeated many of the teams half their ages – and younger.

“We all like to be physically fit and compete, but the best part of working together as a team is the time we can spend with each other and talk about the things that are important to each of us. This event pulls us together to have fun and enjoy each other’s company,” Capriotti said.

Yates suggested that the team add some additional Never Quit motivation this year by remembering a former JU employee, Jo Stone, whose son, Jay, was tragically murdered last year.

“We wore her name on our race bibs and included it with the standard triathlon body markings. We wanted her to know that we care and we support her perseverance to overcome a family tragedy such as this,” Yates said.

Never Say Quit’s mission is to help people feel encouraged to live a healthier lifestyle, get regular health check-ups, spend more time with their families, and have more purpose in life.

“It’s also a day to remember and appreciate our armed forces and all they do for our country and take on a never-quit attitude in all that we do,” Farraday said.

In 2012, the event was marred by bad weather and due to the rough surf, the swim was converted into a run and the paddle board course was shortened. The TriPhin team was disappointed but vowed to continue their training and re-enter the event this year. Unlike last year, the weather was ideal for the 2013 event and all of the activities were held as scheduled.