WENTWORTH MILITARY COLLEGE SOCCER PLAYER LIVES FOR TRIATHLONS

Antonio Carlos Filho, a Brazilian International, plays soccer for the Wentworth Military College soccer team and enjoys the game. However, soccer is just a small part of his life.

Training and competing in triathlons is Antonio's passion.

"When I was a 7-year-old child, I liked sports, but I did not like to practice them," said Cadet Antonio Carlos Filho, a current military cadet at the 134-year-old academy. "But, at the age of 12, I had a life changing moment when my father took me to a lecture to listen to a professional athlete. After that moment, my life changed and I dedicated my life to be the best triathlete. My goal is to become a professional triathlete."

Filho went on to explain that special moment that changed his life.

Filho's parents are very influential in his life. It was his parents that got him involved in running and swimming at the early age of seven. His father enjoyed attending various lectures and speaking engagements from famous and professional athletes.
The "life changing moment" occurred when Filho was 12 years old and his father took him along to watch a professional athlete speak. That athlete was Oscar Galindez.

Oscar Galindez is a world class professional triathlete. "Oscar has won innumerable victories that have made him build a great sporting career with more than 26 years of victories, becoming the foremost Argentinean in his specialty and one of the best triathletes in Latin America, as well as in the world," according to the Wikipedia website.

Just as Antonio started running and swimming at an early age, Oscar Galindez started training at the early age of eight.
Two years after Antonio Carlos Filho attended Galindez speaking engagement, Filho took first place in a 12k run and second place in a half marathon.  At this point, he had still not attempted a triathlon.

On his 16^th birthday, Antonio's family presented him with a road bike. It was the last piece of motivation that he needed.  One month later, he achieved a 6^th place triathlon finish for his age group.

Today, Antonio trains for triathlons often.  Each week, he runs 70km, rides 200km on his road bike and swims 20,000 meters as a training regimen.
Recently, Antonio competed in two events here in Missouri.

The first was the "TriZou" Event which was held at the University of Missouri. Filho earned a 2^nd place finish in his age group and placed 18^th overall.
The following weekend, Filho traveled to Olathe, Kansas where he competed in a Duathlon (run, bike, run). In Olathe he placed 1^st in his age group and 7^th overall.

Coach Kevin Farley, Head Soccer Coach at Wentworth Military College traveled to the events, along with a few of Antonio's teammates, to support the Red Dragon goal keeper at both events.

"Traveling to watch Antonio compete in triathlons was very inspiring for me," said Coach Farley. "I had never been to a triathlon and didn't know what to expect, but it was really exciting to watch him compete in a sport that takes so much individual dedication and mental toughness. I see Antonio in a much different way than I did before and have no doubts that he will compete on a professional level someday."

When Antonio was asked what advice he would give someone who would like to learn more and begin competing in triathlons, he said, "Triathlon changed my life in many ways and helped me to set goals to be a professional triathlete. But, whether you want it to be a profession or compete as an amateur, you must dedicate your life to the sport. Triathlon is not a simple sport, it is a life style."

Filho will spend the summer in Brazil with his family before returning to Lexington for his sophomore year as a student athlete for the men's college soccer team. While home he will prepare for the upcoming season because he enjoys the game.  But, he will also compete in several triathlons, because triathlons are Antonio's life.

Wentworth Military Academy and College is a private co-educational military high school and two-year college. For 9th-12th graders, Wentworth provides an exemplary college-prep education, which builds self-discipline and self-confidence.  In college, small class sizes and personal interaction with faculty allows our traditional and military students to achieve success in academics and in life.  Wentworth is one of only five military junior colleges in the country to offer a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army after just two years of college.

Wentworth is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Anyone wishing to learn more about Wentworth Military Academy and College may contact the Enrollment Management Office at (660) 259-2221 or email admissions@wma.edu.