In the times of despair that life has to offer, often a Phoenix will rise from the ashes. Case in point Smithville resident Joseph Trapp.
Trapp, who will be competing in the RCP Tiburon Mile in San Francisco Bay, California in September, perservered through family hardship and mother nature.
The RCP Tiburon Mile is an open water swim that is 1.2 miles long.
The event is considered to be the fastest and most competitive short-distance race in the world, with several Olympic medalists, national and world champions, English Channel swimmers, FINA World Cup, and FINA Grand Prix winners.
With over 20 other countries  being represented, including Russia, Australia, South Africa, Italy, Tanzania, Brazil, Mexico and Canada the race is loaded with over 800 talented swimmers.
Trapp will return to international  competition in the Elite Group, working hard to take home the coveted cup trophy and the $10,000 first-place prize presented to the over-all male and female winners.
Trapp, who is registered and competing for the MTSU Triathalon Club, spent four hours, six days a week, training at the YMCA in Cookeville.
However, in March 2012,  strong storms swept through DeKalb County, leaving many homes damaged, killing one, and injuring several others.
“It was truly a nightmare,” Trapp said. “My dad and I just finished repairing our family barn when the tornado came through, tearing the barn and fence apart. It damaged my grandmother’s home, whom my family and I have been taking care of for the last year, as well as, my brother’s house,” Trapp added.
Trapp suffered a concussion, after slipping and hitting his head on a rock in the during the tornado. He found himself lucky to be alive and without serious injury.
“I remember our police officers, firefighters, and volunteers were all over the scene, fighting mother nature and saving lives,” stated Trapp.
“I also remember a news helicopter flying over our home and seeing our demolished barn on Talk of the Town, the next day,” added Trapp.
In the wake of the disaster, Trapp did some soul searching. “It was a blow to the head when I thought about telling people all over the world that I would not be competing in the Aquathon for Team USA men’s team. I had to regroup, start from scratch, and take the bull by the horns,” commented Trapp.
Not wanting to waste the money and hours spent already on training, Trapp went to work for Dynamic Security Group in Smyrna at the Army National Guard Base.
Working and saving money to repair the house, fence, and barn damaged by the tornado, Trapp also decided to stop training at the YMCA in Cookeville.
After some thought, Trapp made the decision to start training at Floating Mill at Center Hill Lake.
“I did not want to give up, so I kept moving forward,” stated Trapp.
While the air was still chilled, Trapp began swimming from the Floating Mill swimming area to the island one mile off the shore and back.
Trapp’s fastest time is 22 minutes for the round trip to the island and back. Trapp acknowledged that San Francisco Bay and Center Hill Lake are completely different courses.
In the Elite Group, swimmers are not allowed to wear wet suits. The Bay is cold, and swimmers are fighting currents, as well as, choppy waves, not to mention, competing against some of the fastest swimmers in the world.
The RCP open water swim will take place on September 9th, 2012, in Tiburon, California. The event will be telecast live on Fox News.
Trapp is slated to race in London, England next summer for the USA Triathalon Team for the World Title at the 2013 ITU World Championships.
“I am greatly thankful for the people that have supported me in a time of disaster and uncertainty,” Trapp emphasized.
As DeKalb County rebuilds after a disaster, so does a World-Class American Athlete.
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