New triathlete joins Flames from overseas
Liberty University has added a new runner, freshman Thomas Sonnery, to their triathlon team for the 2016-17 season.
Sonnery is originally from France and chose to attend Liberty because of his athletic abilities.
Sonnery grew up in a family of runners, starting with his parents and his older siblings.
TRIATHLETE — Thomas Sonnery is the newest Flame. Photo credit: club sports
He began running at a young age and decided to try triathlon when his brother and sister joined the sport.
He was raised watching them race, and it gave him a desire to join a team.
Sonnery said his dad has been his biggest influence since day one, and his father has been an excellent example for him and continuously supported him and his decisions.
Sonnery has raced in France and is excited to join a team in the U.S. He is looking forward to meeting people in America that will greatly influence him and his future.
Sonnery finished in 18th place during a European Cup race in May.
The runner made his decision to come to Liberty in August 2015.
He came to Lynchburg to visit his sister, who also attends Liberty, and he had the opportunity to meet the coaches and people on the triathlon team after taking part in a camp at the university.
“I am more than happy today to be part of the Liberty community,” Sonnery said. “I’m still getting used to a lot of things. I keep saying it is like an American movie. Everything is bigger — cars, roads, schools and supermarkets.”
Sonnery decided to come to Liberty because he wanted to progress and experience somewhere other than France.
His sister attending the school helped influence his choice to come to the U.S. He said he is excited to see what comes from the opportunity he took to live in America.
“God is at the center of my existence,” Sonnery said. “He is with me in anything I do and guides me.
God helps me through difficult times and is with me to celebrate good times.
It is not easy every day, especially because I did not speak any English before I came, but my teachers are amazing and I am learning every day a little bit more.”
His primary goal is to progress as much as he can in his athletic abilities so he can represent Liberty well.
Sonnery is here to see where the year takes him and how much he will be able to improve in his sport, as well as learn spiritually while developing close friendships with students at the university.
“I hope to grow in my Christian faith and confirm that the path I have chosen in school, sports and spirituality is the right one.”
The third annual Mid-Atlantic Conference Triathlon Championships will take place at Smith Mountain Lake State Park Oct. 15.
Deutsch is a sports reporter.