Eight of the 12 members of the Kealakehe High Triathlon Club will compete Sunday, a nod to the sport’s Big Island connection to the venerable Ironman.

"We’re the Mecca of the triathlon world, so why not have a triathlon club?" advisor Kristin Drost said. "We have a range of members — swimmers, cross country runners, surfers, wrestlers.

"It’s created a lot of interest and we’re hoping to grow. Our students have volunteered for the Ironman, the Super Bowl of the sport, and we have a personal connection. The club was an easy next step."

Two from the club have made a giant leap. New graduates Dan Gampon and Keoni Smith have qualified for the Oct. 12 Ironman, as has Drost.

Gampon and Smith will be joined on Sunday’s Tinman course by Somer Mitchell, Lexi and Mercedes Decarli, Christopher Prater, CJ Agusen and Arturo Morales. Drost will be part of the support crew for her students.

"What I love about this club is the sport is transferable to other parts of life," said Drost, who teaches geometry and pre-calculus. "It reinforces that if you push through things you can do anything."