Melanie Johnson: Cultivating Young Champions in Horizon West

Horizon West Kids Tri Club is not your average sports group. It’s a triathlon training club exclusively for kids—a place where swimming, biking, and running converge into a multisport adventure that keeps young athletes engaged and excited. Melanie’s vision for the club goes beyond physical training; she’s fostering an environment where kids learn essential skills, from race transitions to gear preparation, while also developing responsibility and mental fortitude.

The team’s nickname, "Team Bananas," perfectly captures the spirit of the club. Melanie ensures that while the kids are committed to training, they never lose sight of the fun. “I want them to go home from training feeling like they had fun and are a part of something awesome. We are affectionately known as ‘Team Bananas’ because we like to have fun and be silly, but we are also an accepting group that always works hard,” says Melanie.

From Humble Beginnings to Community Triumph

Melanie’s journey to becoming a youth triathlon coach wasn’t planned. As an active member of the PTO at her children’s school and the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Citrus Church, she was always involved with kids. However, it was her newfound love of triathlons in 2021 that set her on a new path. After sharing her passion with her daughter’s Girl Scout troop, a spark was lit in a few of the girls. What began as a small group of four second-graders (including her own daughter) has grown into a thriving, co-ed club known as Horizon West Kids Tri Club.

The highlight of the 2024 thus far was the spring season, where 21 kids trained for the St. Anthony’s Meek & Mighty Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Florida. Eleven kids competed, with four finishing in the top 10 for their age group—a testament to Melanie’s excellent coaching and the kids’ hard work!

This year alone, 32 kids have been trained through Team Bananas, which now accepts up to 20 kids per race season and offers tri-clinics in between for newcomers who are interested in learning more. Melanie is now joined by fellow Horizon West Triathlete Kimberlee Kennedy, who stepped up to help coach the growing group mid-2023.

Fall training will start in September for Team Bananas next competition which takes place in December of this year.

The Horizon West Kids Tri Club is not only fostering healthy habits and inspiring kids to embrace physical fitness from a young age, but also provides a strong sense of camaraderie, allowing these young athletes to bond with their teammates as they train and compete together.

Melanie’s commitment to the Horizon West Kids Tri Club extends far beyond athletic training. She’s creating a space where young athletes can develop holistically, making friends, building confidence and creating core memories that will last a lifetime.

Co-coach, Kimberlee Kennedy, reflects on Melanie’s impact, saying, “Melanie brings a fun environment for kids to be physically active, to diversify their friendships, and to learn not only how to physically become an endurance athlete, but also how to mentally prepare. That mental stamina carries over into all of life’s facets.”

As Melanie prepares for her next personal challenge — competing in the 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta on September 29 — she continues to inspire everyone around her. Her dedication, passion and leadership have not only shaped the lives of young athletes but have also enriched the entire Horizon West community. If you see Melanie running or biking around town, be sure to congratulate her on her incredible contributions and her well-deserved Who’s Who of Horizon West Award!

For those interested in joining this remarkable team, Horizon West Kids Tri Club is offering two fall clinics starting on August 26 and September 16, providing newcomers the opportunity to experience the excitement of triathlon training. These clinics are designed for kids who are new to triathlons or not quite ready for the full 6-10 weeks of training.

The team will begin their 10-week fall training on September 30 for the CLASH Endurance Daytona Speedway Kids Triathlon, scheduled for December 7, 2024, with 18 kids already registered.

To learn more about Horizon West Kids Tri Club and how to get involved, visit their Facebook page.



Join us in congratulating Melanie and the other 2024 Who’s Who of Horizon West Award recipients. Learn more about the honorees and nominate someone for next year's awards at HorizonWestMagazine.com/WhosWho