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CJ grad LaSelle makes U.S. proud in World Duathlon competitors

She was the first finisher on U.S. team and 9th among the women.

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By Mickey Zezzo, Contributing Writer 9:20 PM Monday, October 24, 2011

DAYTON — You can look back 25 years and still see the spindly 10-year-old girl easily outdistancing 75 boys and girls in the then-county-promoted Cloud Park Fun Run in Huber Heights.

That was the early beginning of Nicole LaSelle’s blossoming career that would eventually evolve into one of the area’s most successful athletic sagas.

The Huber Heights native who now calls Dayton home remains active and is living proof that great athletes often prevail — particularly if they’re blessed with the endurance of a Nicole LaSelle.

The former Chaminade Julienne and Notre Dame track and cross country wonder recently returned from Gijon, Spain, where her latest endeavor in bike-running added yet another chapter of success.

The five-time state champion at CJ made the U.S. team in the duathlon (10K run, 43K bike, 5K run) that traveled to Spain for the World Duathlon. She finished ninth among the women and was the first U.S. finisher.

She also posted the event’s fastest bike clocking (1:09).

“I got into the biking thing a few years ago and love it because it’s easier on the body,” said the two-time women’s winner in the ORRRC’s primetime 8K Turkey Trot classic in Miamisburg. “I’ve had a couple bad bike crashes, but that goes with the territory.”

LaSelle, who earned her master’s degree in social services at the University of Dayton in 2009 and works as a licensed counselor at UD, was accompanied to Spain by her favorite coach and cheerleader — husband Mick Mominee, a former Kenyon College running star who she met at UD and married in ’09.

“I was totally excited when she placed ninth in the World Duathlon ... that’s a real tough challenge.” said Monimee, who teaches social justice and morality at CJ.

“It’s the most courageous effort I have ever seen her run and bike. In fact, her bike slipped on wet pavement once and she held her composure,” he said.

Nicole said she dedicated her “World” effort “to the memory of a dear friend, Dave Butterfield of Dayton, who was hit by a truck and killed on his bike last March,” Nicole said. “I wore a yellow bracelet and he was with me all the way.”

Both Nicole and Mick ride for Team Dayton.

Nicole nursed a series of injuries at ND, but managed to letter in four seasons of cross country and track. And the biggest plus was earning NCAA All-American academic laurels.

She said she’s still “very close to my father (Steve LaSelle), although we don’t work out together as often as we used to when I was at CJ; and he’s still an inspiration for me.”

Steve LaSelle and Nicole’s mother, Theresa, reside in Waynesville.

Nicole’s favorite movie, “Running Brave,” the story of 1964 Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills, an American-Indian who overcame racism and prejudice to prevail, reflects her desire and dedication.

“I watched it over and over, when I was 11,” said Nicole, a two-time winner of the popular 5K Ghost & Goblins event. “He was truly inspirational.”

Contact this writer at (937) 236-6032; mickeyz@zoomtown.com

LaSelle highlights

State titles at Chaminade Julienne: 1993, cross country; 1994, cross country, 1,600 meters, 3,200 meters; 1995, cross country; 1996, 1,600.

1996-2000: Notre Dame, All-Big East cross country; 4 years varsity track and cross country.

2001: Caesar’s Creek Duathlon; Windsor Duathlon

2003: Caesar’s Creek Duathlon; Wendy’s Duathlon

2004: Ghosts & Goblins 5K

2005: Chicago Triathlon (age group); Ghost & Goblins

2006: Ghost & Goblins; Flying Pig Half Marathon, 2nd

2009: Flying Pig Half Marathon

2010: ORRRC Turkey Trot; Jingle Bell Run; River Corridor Half Marathon (2nd); Muncie Duathlon; Portage Lakes Duathlon; Italian Fall Food Festival 5K; Vermilion Harbour Duathlon; East Fork Duathlon; Caesar’s Creek Duathlon; Maumee Bay Duathlon; Deer Creek Duathlon

2011: USAT National Triathlon, 2nd; Helke Park 5K; Dude Girl Trail Run; Great Buckeye Challenge Duathlon; Overall (men and women) championships: Portage Lakes, Italian Festival; Great Buckeye Challenge

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