Intra-team rivalry heats up as Neroni demolishes Pamplona in 1.5-kilometer swim.
The rivalry between HLB Triathlon Team Captain Stacie Neroni and her Teammate Arnold Pamplona is jeopardizing the cohesiveness of the team. "They can't be around each other without picking a fight," complained Team member Hope Levy-Beihl, who, along with fellow Team members Mark Hardiman and Jennifer Levy, decided to forgo competing in the Camp Pendleton International Triathlon today. "We're just sick of them fighting over who is a better swimmer. I coulnd't imagine driving down to Oceanside from Los Angeles with both of them in the same car," said Hardiman.
Ever since Neroni began consistently beating Pamplona in the swim portions of this year's races, it has been constant bickering between the two. "There's no way she's a stronger swimmer. I taught her how to swim. I just have issues with swimming in open water," offered Pamplona when asked why Neroni beat him by 21 seconds in the 2005 Newport Beach Triathlon, and by a full minute in the Ventura Breath of Life Triathlon.
"I feel sorry for him," said Neroni, albeit insincerely. "He can't beat me even though I just learned how to swim, and he used to swim competitively." Neroni was pejoritavely referring to Pamplona's stint on the Junior Varsity Whitney High School Swim Team, a distant past Pamplona likes to recall with Al Bundy-like euphoria.
With their antics turning off their teammates, the HLB Triathlon Team was down to the two feuding members at the start of today's race. Before the gun sounded A cocky Pamplona issued a guarantee: "I will beat her today, or this is my last race, ever!"
Pamplona changed his tune, however when he learned that Neroni swim split was 2 minutes, 13 seconds faster than his. "I let her win. I'm so dominant on the bike and in the run that I just wanted to throw her a bone."
"Nonesense!" shouted Neroni, when she heard of Pamplona's comments. "He almost killed himself in the swim trying to beat me!" Indeed, observers witnessed Pamplona foaming at the mouth and asking for "Mommy"as he exited the water.
"I'll get her next time," vowed Pamplona at the finish line.
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Camp Pendleton International Triathlon
1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike, 10 kilometer run
Pamplona--Swim: 36:17; Bike: 1:20:24; Run: 57:14; Total: 2:53:55
Neroni--Swim: 34:04; Bike: 1:34:44; Run: 1:08:44; Total: 3:17:32
Pamplona exits the water tired and delirious. He was incredulous when he was told that Neroni beat him by more than 2 minutes.
HLB Triathlon Team members attack a steep climb during the Camp Pendleton race.
HLB Tri shows good form during the 10k run.
