GREEN BAY, Wis. — Growing up visiting the Copper Country, Nicole Feuerstein developed a love of swimming, one third of a larger sport that encompasses swimming, running, and biking, the triathlon. That love helped get her interested in the triathlon, and led, this year, to a chance to compete in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

But, having swimming, which is often the hardest leg for most competitors, was a boost.

“My family, both of my parents, are from the U.P., from Houghton, originally,” she said. “So I grew up, since the time I was born, swimming in Portage Lake. When I was in fourth grade, I started swimming and in rec leagues. When I’d come up in the summer, I’d even swim with U.P. Killer Whales when they still had a group at the high school pool. I ended up swimmin

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