Champions

The Mayfields, Luc, Sophia and Deanna.

Brother and sister team make a powerful impression at County Kids of Steel

Luc Mayfield is a big fan of motivational speakers. According to his mother, Deanna Mayfield, he is always finding inspirational quotes and pinning them to his bulletin board.

When 11-year-old Luc got a laptop for Christmas he started looking up inspirational sports stories, especially involving children. He came across a YouTube video featuring a young boy who competes in triathlons with his younger brother who has cerebral palsy.

Luc wanted his parents to watch it. He was going to do this with his sister Sophia.

Sophia is 7, and she too has cerebral palsy. Although Luc is athletic and active, playing both rep hockey and soccer, he had never done a triathlon before, and only learned to ride a bike last year.

“He explained to us that Sophia is always sitting on the sidelines watching him, and that she has always been his greatest fan,” said Deanna Mayfield. “He said, ‘I think I can do this and I want to do this with her.’”

His parents Ken, a bank manager at CIBC, and Deanna, a child psychologist for the school board, cautioned him that despite his desire, there may be logistical reasons that prevent him from doing this, but that they would do everything they could to help make it happen.

Early in February of this year they contacted Michelle Pothier and Stephanie Roth, co-organizers of the CountyKids of Steel (CKOS) triathlon and posed the question. Inside a week the CKOS board had given the go ahead and started working with the family.

“They have given us nothing but positive, positive support and encouragement,” said Deanna Mayfield. “The whole community has been so supportive.”

Luc’s grandmother, Mary Mayfield, gives him a hug at the finish line.

Luc started to train two months ago. He insisted that he compete in his age category, doing the prescribed distances. He started with the running, then the bike riding and then spent the last two Saturdays before the race in the pool towing an inner tube holding his little sister, as he practiced swimming lengths.

“He knew she could do it. Sophia has always loved water and she’s very social, she loves people and music so he knew the swimming leg wouldn’t be an issue,” said Deanna.

He also knew that the bike portion would be the most challenging as he had never ridden his bike with a trailer before, but then neither had he ever run while pushing a stroller.

“There was no way he wouldn’t have crossed the finish line,” said Deanna, “He’s that kind of child.”

“My two children bring out the best in each other and in their community. Sophia goes everywhere with us— hockey, soccer—and people gravitate towards her always accepting. There is always a sense of inclusivity. Everywhere we go, people know Sophia and she greets them with a ‘hi,’ and gives a high five.

“They are very close. He is very conscious of her needs and the ways Sophia is sometimes excluded. He wants us to accept people with disabilities and differences.”

Luc still dreams of becoming a pro hockey player, or perhaps a psychologist, like his mother, motivating athletes.

On Sunday morning Luc competed in the CountyKids of Steel with his sister Sophia. He pulled her in an inner tube for 200 metres and at each length Sophia would squeal with joy as her brother spun her around as he changed direction. He rode his bike 8 kilometres with her in a trailer and he pushed her as he ran 2 kilometers.

Sophia Mayfield prepares to enter the pool for the 200m swim and the beginning of her triathlon adventure with brother Luc.

When the two of them crossed the finish line they were beaming.

“Everyone was cheering me on, it was a great feeling and I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support,” said Luc Mayfield, of the teammates, coaches, teachers, family and friends who showed up to support the duo.

“I did this because I want people to accept Sophia in the community,” said Luc of his little sister, adding, “and I think she was having fun.”

Then, overcome with emotion, he became the 11-year-old boy again and buried his face in the embrace of his mother and sister.

“We are very blessed,” said Deanna of her children.