Team CMT Member Anthony Orlando Jr.

Don't let the wrinkled shirt and the dread locks fool you. This athlete is a serious contender.

Franklin native Anthony Orlando Jr.  is ready to make a splash this year on the triathlon circuit. Orlando currently competes for Team CMT and is living in the Mineapolis area.  He is a recent graduate of UW River Falls where he majored in math and physics.
While at River Falls he was a member of the swim team and the cross country team. He competed at nationals in both sports. Both sports set him up perfectly for tri competition. His competition scedule has been limited due to his college commitments until now.
Orlando recently competed in the Whitewater Early Bird Triathlon. He was one of the first out of the water. He did well on the bike leg. He had a problem in the transition from the bike to run. He had just switched to the new minimal running shoes and he had trouble getting them on.  He dropped from the lead into 4th place overall. Still good enough for a win in his age group.
Next up is the Buffalo Triathlon in Minnesota in two weeks. He is registered in the elite division at the Olympic distance.
Last year Orlando took third over all in the Tri for Children in Ottawa and third overall in the Minneapolis triathlon. Orlando is just starting to ramp up his competition schedule. He is young for a triathlete.  Expect a long and bright future. Orlando has also contemplated a move to Boulder or San Diego. Both are meccas for serious athletes. Orlando is also looking for sponsors. If he keeps going like he has he won't be looking for sponsors for long.




Chris Wodke
Founder & Manager Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have almost 100 members in 17 states. If you wish to join us visit our web site.

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.