Fil-Am brother and sister finish second in Los Angeles triathlon

Abigail Fedalizo at the finish line CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

LOS ANGELES — Abigail and Baltazar Fedalizo, both San Pedro, California natives, finished second in their age brackets in the 2014 Herbalife Los Angeles Triathlon, on September 21.

Both raised money for, Fight Autism organization. Abigail, 20, and her brother Baltazar, 9, both attend White Point Elementary School in San Pedro.

Their mentor, Deanne Preyer, head coach at the Zenith Aquatics Program in Rancho Palos Verdes inspired them to compete in the adult triathlon.

“We try to instill a good work ethic in our kids and reiterate the ZAP rallying cry of ‘Find a way,’ to win.  They are a prime example of the ability of our coaching staff to instill a can-do attitude in Abigail and Bali,” Preyer said.

The parents of Abigail and Baltazar are Gertrudes Fedalizo, a registered nurse at United Healthcare, and their father Baltazar ,senior retired Naval Officer and business owner in the

Baltazar Fedalizo CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

biodiesel industry.

“We try to lead by example with our kids,” said Baltazar senior, a triathlete himself. The parents encouraged the kids to swim in the open water at Cabrillo Beach at a very young age.

“I’m glad I finished and now I’m going to my friend Dylan birthday party,” said Abigail when asked how she felt about finishing the Super Sprint part of the triathlon.

Her brother, Bali, said, “My legs hurt going up the hills and my dad helped me by jogging next to me, pulling my bike up the hills.”