Former Costa athletes Spivey, LeBosnoyani find success in extreme sports
Jean Paul LeBosnoyani delivers blows to opponent Garland “Hellboy” Guay during his third MMA victory. Photo
Former Mira Costa swimmer and water polo player Taylor Spivey (Class of 2009) and graduating Mira Costa wrestler Jean Paul LeBosnoyani each achieved milestones in their athletic careers over the weekend.
Spivey earned a silver medal for her first World Triathlon Series podium finish at the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon in Leeds, England on Saturday. Two weeks earlier, Spivey had her first podium finish on the International Triathlon Union World Cup series with a second place finish in Madrid.
Former Mira Costa High School athlete Taylor Spivey won her second consecutive silver medal placing second at the ITU Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon in Leeds, England. Photo by ITU Media / Janos Schmidt
“Earning two back to back second place Podiums was a shock to me,” Spivey exclaimed. “At the Madrid World Cup I thought I had a chance at a podium despite coming off of a minor injury. The course was hard and hilly and played to my strengths.
“At the World Triathlon Series Leeds I merely hoped for a top 10 finish. The caliber of competition far exceeded that of the previous race.”
Pushing herself in the swim to break away with the strong swim/bikers in the race. Spivey was one of four women that managed to create over a 2-minute gap going into the run.
“It was surreal crossing the finish line behind the incredibly strong Flora Duffy (Bermuda) and ahead of many women that I look up to in triathlon,” Spivey said. “I continue to pinch myself, thinking that I will wake up from this dream.”
Spivey credits her team and coach Paulo Sousa for helping her rebound from injuries much faster than she anticipated.
Spivey and her squad will be training in Banyoles, Spain for during the next month.
“I couldn’t ask for a more ideal and scenic training environment,” Spivey said. “I will continue to do my best in training and racing as I learn the ways of the circuit and become a more refined athlete. But, then again, maybe this is a dream after all, if so don’t pinch me, I’ll just keep sleeping.
Spivey trains with team USA in San Diego and is sponsored by Manhattan Beach’s Skecher Performance Division.
After completing her swimming career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Spivey focused on triathlon competition. In 2013, she won the Redondo Beach Triathlon in her first attempt at the event.
LeBosnoyani won a welterweight (170 pound) mixed martial arts fight Saturday night against Garland “Hellboy” Guay at the Rumble on the Water at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. It was LeBosnoyani’s third MMA victory in four months.
In all three fights he has stopped his opponent in the first round. Though a specialist in ju jitsu, LeBosnoyani won Saturday’s fight and his May fight by technical knockouts. He won his March fight by submission.
LeBosnoyani is ranked 35th among 269 active California Amateur Welterweights and was recently signed by Creative Artists Agency.
As a member of Mira Costa’s CIF Championship wrestling team, LeBosnoyani was one of the state’s top grapplers in the 170-pound division. He was a CIF-Southern Section runner-up and finished 8th in the State Championships.