Summer 2008 - West Point Tri

From competing in Worlds in Vancouver under adverse conditions, completing Cadet Troop Leader Training in South Korea’s monsoon season, and training in Hawaii’s paradise to Military Development Schools and Academic Individual Advanced Development programs, the cadets on the Army tri team trained and competed in races all around the world over the summer.

Reporting back to West Point on Sunday 17 August 2008, the West Point Triathlon team kicked off its fall season by coordinating the 19th Annual West Point Triathlon set for Sunday, 24 August 2008 and the 4th Annual West Point Kids Triathlon on Saturday, 23 August 2008. 750 competitors from all over the nation competed in the sprint Distance Triathlon (800m swim/25km bike/5k run) on the cadets’ summer training grounds of Buckner’s Lake Popolopen and Highway 293. To include, the kids triathlon consisted of 543 competitors. From setting up the buoys to pounding the fence stakes around the transition area, the team coordinated the races on their first weekend back at school with the help of Army’s Swimming and Diving, Crew, Marathon, Cycling, and Nordic teams.

Much of the support for the West Point Triathlon’s set-up and take-down rooted from much of the team’s leadership which started the season off at full momentum. With only a three-day reorganization week, the team came together and put in countless hours in executing the best West Point Triathlon yet. In addition to his academic duties as a German Instructor for West Point, Race Director LTC Ralph Vargas supported the team in all aspects of running the triathlon. Coach Tony DeBoom came out to the team practices throughout reorganization week, and molded the mindset of a competitive and hard-working season for the team.

Overall, the race was a great success. On the cadet side Andy Cahoy took second in the cadet male division and Andrea Filozof won the female cadet division. Both cadets are members of the West Point Triathlon Team. Six Coast Guard Cadets arrived from the Coast Guard Academy to compete in the race with their top male winning the cadet division. The USMA Faculty and staff members engraved a strong presence with Major Todd Brown from the BS&L Department winning the Male Military Division and Major Julia Wilson from DPE winning the Female Military Division. The team also conducted tryouts, and from those tryouts, two male and two female cadets filled the open spots of the triathlon team. Amazing effort was given by all the different cadet sports teams, volunteers, and faculty and staff to have a mission accomplished at the end of the day.

Cohesion and teamwork truly was the glue that held the race together, for without it, the mission would not have been accomplished. Team Captain, Nick Vandam, exclaims “I am personally very proud of the way our team came together after being separated for 2 months and picked up the ball where it was left and started running.”

The team made its fourth and final trip for the semester to Florida this past weekend. We have been so lucky to travel to such great places this semester to race and we could not have done it without all the support of DCA and our great Officer Representatives. Furthermore, the West Point Triathlon also provides us with great support to race around the world. If you haven’t already please sign up for the race, slots are selling out quickly! Go here to register!

The team chose the beautiful Panama City Beach, FL, to dabble in a different sort of triathlon than they are used to. They chose to compete in one of the oldest and most elite half-ironman races in the country, the 26th Annual Gulf Coast Triathlon. The Half-Ironman Distance consists of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run. This was the longest race the team had competed in so far this season and for many it was the longest race they had ever done.

The competition included 1600 athletes coming from 36 states, and 15 countries. The Competitors ranged from an elite field of professional triathletes to the physically challenged competitors. Even with this stiff competition, the team was unfazed and came out blazing. All the hard work and determination really paid of for many members of the team in this race.

The 1.2-mile swim took place in very choppy ocean water conditions; everyone had a beach start that pitted them against cresting waves for the majority of the swim out. Once past the waves the team fought through large ocean swells before getting to ride the tide in on the way back. After the rough swim, everyone got on the bike to hammer out a flat but very windy 56-mile bike course. Then coming off the bike and with the heat and humidity rising, everyone set out to complete a twisting 13.1 mile run course. The morning had started off very humid but by this time in the race, the sun was emerging from the clouds and the temperature was rising, leading to very miserable conditions.

These adverse conditions did not slow down the cadets. Nicholas Vandam, in his first half-ironman clocked the fastest swim time of the day as well as following it up with a strong bike and run split. This outstanding performance not only allowed him to take 1st place in the amateur division with a 4:15.47 but it also placed him 4th overall, beating many of the professional triathletes!! Trialing Nick V. was Nicholas Sterghos. Sterghos posted one of the fastest run splits of the day with a 1:24 half-marathon split which placed him 5th overall in the Amateur ranks and 8th overall in the whole race! The team kept its stellar performance going with strong showings from Bryan Lagasse and Andy Stock, who went 3rd and 4th respectfully in the 20-24 age group. These two ran side-by-side throughout the entire 13.1 miles before Bryan took a slight lead at the end. Their strong performances placed them 31st and 33rd overall in this tough race. All in all, the Men’s team took nine out of the top 10 places in the 20-24 age group and had 10 men in the top 100 overall. Another noteable performance came from Team Captain John Leatherman who finished 5th in the 20-24 age group and 54th overall!

The women’s team also had an outstanding day. Leading the way for them was Randy Wintermantel, who was competing in her first half-ironman. Not only did she place 7th overall (after a questionable penalty) but she absolutely dominated the field on the run. Her half-Marathon time of 1:32.10 was the fastest female split of the day by over 3 minutes and the 15th fastest in the race! Yes, you read that right, 15th fastest run time. Her time of 4:59.39 led her to win the women’s 20-24 age group by more than 20 minutes! Christine Kawoczka and Christina Fenstermaker also had great races in which they took home 3rd and 7th respectfully in the 20-24 age group. You can see full results here.

The harsh environment and long distance offered a unique challenge for the team to overcome. Just like every other adversity put up against the team, they overcame and defeated. With the advice of our coach Tony De Boom on the forefront of everybody’s mind, “Your #1 goal is always to finish” everybody pushed themselves to the edge and crossed the finish line. As with many of our other races everyone was inspired to see all the cadets out in their Army gear doing so well. Many cadets were talking about how many people gave them a spirited “Go Army” or a “Hooah” or a “Beat Navy” chant.

Congratulations are also in order for 2LT Nick Dason. Nick recently found out that he was selected for the All-Army Team and will be competing at the Armed Forces Championship on May 31st in Point Mugu, California. Nick will be competing for one of the top six slots in order to qualify for the World Military Games which are to be held in Estonia June 12th-June 17th.

THE TEAM WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT HAS A NEW SPONSOR, XTERRA WETSUITS HAS SIGNED ON TO SUPPORT THE TEAM!!! Everyone is extremely excited to get to work with this great company and use some of their awesome products. Please take a minute to look at their website Xterra and also look for your favorite Army triathlete wearing one of these fast and flexible wetsuits in their next race!

Additionally, the team would like to congratulate the new leadership selected to guide the team for the 2008-09 season. Nicholas Vandam was elected Team Captain! His staff will be: S1 (Personnel)- Bryan Lagasse; S2 (Intel)- Dave Fobar; S3 (Training)-Rob Sherry; and S4 (Supply and TB) Ryan Peacock. The team is definitely going to be in good hands next year with this awesome group! Congrats!!

Last but certainly not least we want to introduce our two plebe guys on the team: Cadet Private Adam Bishop and Cadet Private Brendan Fox. CDT PVT Adam Bishop hails from the great state of Indiana and has been a great asset to the team throughout his first year at the Academy. Adam never fails to show up to practice with a great smile across his face that sometimes makes the upperclassman angry because he is so cheerful. Adam has improved dramatically this year and shows great promise to be a scorer for this team in the near future. Adam is a Plebe in Company B4 and below is a few questions he answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
I started at the end of my Senior year in high school. I had always wanted to do a triathlon and training for it was so much fun.

What has been your best race so far?
I think all my races this spring were awesome for me in some way or another, but I enjoyed Collegiate Nationals the best

What is your favorite leg of the race?
Definitely the bike! I love going fast and I feel like I can put a lot of time into people that might be stronger at other events than me.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
Spring Break! It was such a blast training in Florida for a week. I wish we could do that all the time.

What are your goals for this season?
With only the Half-Ironman left, I'd just like to have fun racing that. For next year though, I'd like to go under 2:10 and for our team to win Nationals!

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Have fun! If the training starts getting boring, then take a short break. I guarantee that you'll miss it within a couple of days!

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
I'm undecided on a branch, but I'd love to go to Italy or Ft. Carson

Cadet Brendan Fox also comes from the great state of Indiana. Brendan, like Adam, has continued to improve throughout the year and shows great promise for the team in the future. Brendan is currently a Plebe in Company A4. Below are a few questions he answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
I never really raced competitively before I came to West Point.

What has been your best race so far?
Probably the Clermont Triathlon. I thought that it was an all-around good race.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
I like the bike and the run (and the transition between) all equally well. I just like to be out of the water.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
This year has been full of good memories. I really enjoyed just working out with the team and pushing my limits to become a better athlete.

What are your goals for this season?
Well, considering that there is only one race left this year, I guess that I would like to do well at the Gulf Coast Half Ironman.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
I would say that if anything, just getting out there and racing is more important than anything. Triathlon is a sport where you can learn so much from others and having a lot of experience is very beneficial. Like anything, the more you do it, the better you will be at it. Just try to learn as much as you can from those around you.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
I am undecided, maybe Infantry and Ft. Carson.

Thanks again for everyone’s support. We would not have been able to do so well without your continued support. GO ARMY TRIATHLON! BEAT NAVY!

The week of: April 21 - April 27

The team returned to Tuscaloosa, Alabama last week to compete in the 2008 Collegiate National Championships on April 19th. Last year the team finished fifth overall in a field of approximately seventy-eight universities. Additionally the Men’s team placed 3rd overall, losing to Navy by only four points. This year the team went down to Nationals with the goal of bringing home the National Championship and beating Navy. With the competition stronger than ever and the field enlarged to over 118 universities from across the nation, the team lived up to expectations. While they were not able to bring home the title, the team performed exceptionally well, destroying Navy in both the men’s and women’s race! The West Point Team placed third in the NATION, with the Men’s team taking second place overall behind University of California – Berkeley and the Women’s team taking sixth place overall!! A special congrats is in order for CDT Ashley Morgan. The cross country and track standout at USMA finished 3rd overall in a very competitive women’s field, easily making her a favorite for the next few years.

The Men’s team had an outstanding performance, with eleven competitors placing in the top 125 out of 711 collegiate athletes. After the final results were tallied the men actually tied with UNC for 2nd place, however the men’s depth allowed them to claim 2nd in the Nation outright with Rob Sherry outpacing UNC’s fourth man. CDT Nick Vandam paced the Black Knights with a strong 7th place, 2LT Nick Dason finished in 13th, and CDT Bryan Lagasse had an exceptional race finishing in 26th place. Bryan dropped nearly four minutes off his time last year to help the Army team finish in second. Robert Sherry came in at 31st and Michael Spears at 37th to round out the top five. Other notable finishes were CDTs Andrew Stock (49th), Ryan Peacock (58th), Peter Bauleke (68th), Nick Sterghos (79th), John Leatherman (111th), Adam Bishop (121st), Brendon Fox (155th), and Will Eggers (165th). The results for CDT Dave Fobar were not posted due to timing errors.

The women’s team also performed very well with five competitors finishing in the top one hundred female undergraduates. The women improved dramatically from last year’s finish and nearly cracked the Top 5. On their way to a sixth place showing at the Nation’s fastest Collegiate race, the women destroyed Navy by more than 30 points! Leading the women was CDT Ashley Morgan who finished 3rd, followed by the amazing finish for Randy Wintermantel (19th), and a step-up performance by Kari Vahle (41st). Erica Triebenbach (58th) and Christine Kawoczka (87th) rounded out the women’s top 5. In only the second Olympic-distance triathlon of her life, CDT Christina Fenstermaker finished in 159th place, out of 256 graduate and under-graduate female competitors.

On Sunday afternoon, just one day after competing in the Collegiate National Championships, 2LT Nick Dason and CDTs Nick Vandam and Rob Sherry competed in the Twenty Twelve Talent ID Triathlon, which was a sprint-distance race to showcase potential Olympic competitors for the 2012 Olympic games. This event, held at the same location in Tuscaloosa, had an extremely competitive field of elite athletes. CDT Nick Vandam placed 3rd with a time of 1:00.22, only eleven seconds behind second place. 2LT Nick Dason recovered from a bike wreck early in the bike portion to claim 7th place with a time of 1:01.16, and CDT Rob Sherry finished in 9th place, after an outstanding bike, with a time of 1:01.46.

The team is very happy with the overall results. Furthermore, everyone would like to thank the amazing parents for all their support at the race. We certainly could not have done as well with out the great support you provided for us throughout the weekend. Additionally, the team would like to thank the Alabama parents club for their outstanding meal on Saturday night. The team would like to also give a special thanks to LTC Vargas and MAJ Brown for their continued support and dedication to the team. MAJ Brown also competed over the weekend at the Tuscaloosa Sprint Triathlon. After cheering on the team all day on Saturday, the team was able to return the favor and cheer MAJ Brown on during the race. MAJ Brown was able to recover from a slow T2 on the run to finish 18th overall!

Everyone who was at the race this weekend was also able to watch the US Olympic Trials held on Saturday afternoon. Both races were amazing to watch and everyone learned a great deal from watching some of the best professionals in the World compete.

The team is now back at school hitting the books hard as the semester wraps up. Additionally the majority of the team is going full bore in training up for the Gulf Coast Half-Ironman that takes place on 10 May in Panama City, Florida.

This week we are going to highlight two new members to the Triathlon team. Cadet Corporal Dave Fobar and Cadet Sergeant Christina Fenstermaker.

Cadet Corporal Dave Fobar, who was recently elected as the team’s S2 Officer, came to the team this past January. Dave has been a great addition to the team and is one of the hardest workers. Dave has seen great improvement in the short amount of time on the team and will surely be a top performer throughout his next two years at the Academy. CDT CPL Dave Fobar is a Team Leader in Company A2. Below are a few questions Dave answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
I did the West Point triathlon 2 years ago for fun but didn't join the team and actually start racing until this past semester.

What has been your best race so far?
Collegiate Nationals 2008, just being in the atmosphere of that many competitive triathletes was amazing. And during the race I crashed my bike for the first time, I won't have to worry about when that is going to happen anymore.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
Transitions? No, I really enjoy the bike, I'm still really new to riding so I feel like I'm improving and getting faster every race.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
Spring Break 2008, a full week of training sometime 5 hours a day with the greatest team I have ever been apart of. Plus being down there really made me realize how lucky we are as a team to have our coach, Tony DeBoom.

What are your goals for this season?
Finishing the Half-Ironman is really the only thing left on the list for this season. So I have already started to think about next year and what I can do over the summer to be faster to help our team do even better at Nationals 2009.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Surround yourself with motivation. Our team is a source of energy whenever I need it. Going to practice and training with an amazing group of people has really helped me get better, even when I don't feel like I have the energy to train anymore.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Not infantry, and hopefully Ft. Carson, CO.

Cadet Sergeant Christina Fenstermaker came to the team this January as well. Christina provides added depth to the women’s team and brings a great attitude to the team everyday. A newcomer to the sport, she has learned very quickly and is already seeing great results. Her hard work and dedication will help her to continue to improve next year. CDT SGT Christina Fenstermaker is in Company A1. Below are a few questions she answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
My first triathlon was the Great Clermont Triathlon in Florida – April 2008.

What has been your best race so far?
My best race so far is Collegiate Nationals. The weather in Alabama was amazing, the team focus was on track, and getting to know the team more is always an adventure.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
My favorite leg of the race is the run. It feels good to finally lengthen my strides (once I can feel my lower body again) and to hear everyone cheer.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
My best memory in my triathlon career is training for nationals. The early morning runs on Sundays were intense and pushed us to our limits. Like the majority of our practices, these runs were done as a team. I enjoyed seeing teammates give each other advice to perform our best in competitions. From preparation to attitude, everyone on the team strived to improve. The get-togethers and team meals after workouts were also highlights throughout my triathlon career. The team chemistry is strong, and the motivation is contagious.

What are your goals for this season?
My goals are to improve my swim techniques and beat Navy again…that feels good. I also look forward to contributing to the team more in organization and preparation.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
I advise other triathletes to trust the training. This season was the first time I have tapered, and I learned that tapering contributed to the final touch of conserving my energy for the race. It is also essential to stay focused, because every second counts. Once I reached a hill during a competition, I zoned into a sprint workout mode and did the intervals as we did at practices to maintain the momentum. One last pointer is to give all you have until the end, because everyone else on the team is and trusts that you are too.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Aviation or Engineers. I would like to post in Germany or Hawaii.

Thanks again for everyone’s support. We would not have been able to do so well without your continued support. GO ARMY TRIATHLON! BEAT NAVY!

The week of: April 14 - April 20

This is the big week that the team has been training for since last Fall. Collegiate Nationals take place on Saturday at 0700 at the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama! The team is very excited to get down there and showcase all their hard work against 118 colleges from across the Nation and prove that we are the best team in the land!

This past weekend the team had a few more key workouts before they officially began their taper. For the taper, the training has been greatly reduced to allow the bodies to rest up. Many of the cadets are getting jittery and nervous for the big race. The team is looking very fit and ready to go. Everyone is properly seeded in the race and the team departs from West Point on Thursday morning. Many families are traveling to the race and everyone is excited to see them.

This week we are going to highlight two former Army Swimmers, Cadet Sergeant Will Eggers and Cadet Corporal Erica Triebenbach.

Cadet Sergeant Will Eggers came to the triathlon team this Spring and has made a speedy transition. After getting set up with a great bike from Dark Horse Will has really been working hard on his biking and running skills. Will swam for the Army Swim team for the first two years at the Academy as a sprint specialist. Deciding that he wanted to try a new sport, Will tried out for the triathlon team this past January. He has made dramatic improvement and adds to the great depth of the very strong men’s team. CDT SGT Will Eggers is a Junior in Company A3, below are a few questions he answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
My first triathlon was last summer with two of my good friends from Indiana. I had my dad’s road bike from the 60’s and neither of them had swam in years. All three of us had a tough race, but I ended up getting hooked anyway.

What has been your best race so far?
Wildman 2008 over Spring Break. It was my first Olympic distance and I felt good running it.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
Definitely the bike. It is fun to get moving fast over the road and you get a chance to cheer on your teammates at the turnarounds.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
The Spring Break training trip was awesome this year. I got to know everyone on the team better and we got in a lot of good training with Tony. The weather was great, my house always made a good dinner, and we dominated the competition. What more can you ask for?

What are your goals for this season?
WIN NATIONALS! My goal is a 2:05 at the race and two boxes of Little Debbie Fudge Rounds after the finish line.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
As a start-up triathlete one thing I have learned so far is to trust your training when you race. If you keep your wits about you it is possible to push beyond where you think your limits are.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Hoping for Aviation at Ft. Campbell.

Cadet Corporal Erica Triebenbachjoined the triathlon team second semester of her plebe year. After a short stint with the Army swim team, Erica decided to join the triathlon team and has seen great success since. Erica is a very powerful swimmer and a dedicated worker. She has seen great improvement in her bike and run splits the more she races. Erica is a constant threat for the women’s team and is looking to set a personal record this weekend at Collegiate Nationals. CDT CPL Erica Triebenbach is a Sophomore and Team Leader in Company H3, below is a few questions she answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
My first triathlon was during Spring Break 2007- the Wildman.

What has been your best race so far?
I’d have to say the Westchester Triathlon last fall was my best. I felt amazing on the run, which is the hardest leg for me, and I haven’t had another run like that, yet.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
The bike. It’s not my fastest, but I like the technique and strategy needed for a good bike leg. I’ve learned so much about biking since starting triathlons, and I’m still developing my own strategy for success.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
The Manitou Triathlon last fall- it had a crazy swim, and the whole trip was a lot of fun. Both Spring Break training trips were also amazing, but it’s Spring Break, I wouldn’t expect anything less!

What are your goals for this season?
BEAT NAVY! I’ve been concentrating on going hard in the swim- seeing just how much I can push myself at the front of a race, and still have something left to carry me across the finish line. Also, at Nationals I’m hoping to go under 2:30.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Listen to your teammates. We all learn different things from different people and through experience. Sharing that knowledge is one of the easiest ways to improve- anything from running form tips to how best to grab your water bottle at full speed on the bike. Sometimes those tips get annoying or frustrating, but it just shows that your teammates want you to improve, and care about you doing your best. Learn from each other.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Engineers. As far a post, I don’t really care: where ever God leads me.

Thanks for your support and GO ARMY TRIATHLON...BEAT NAVY!!

The weeks of: March 31 - April 13

On April 4th, the Army team traveled to Clermont, Florida to compete in the 25th Annual Great Clermont Triathlon, held on April 6th. The team, which recently returned from a week of intense Spring Break training under Head Coach Tony Deboom, destroyed the competition at Clermont. As recorded by the Orlando Sentinel , nine USMA Triathlon Team members were among the top twenty bicyclists in the entire race, and in the Men’s 20-24 age group, the Army team claimed ten of the top eleven spots.

2LT Nick Dason was the overall men’s champion with a finishing time of 1:56.9, and CDT Nick Vandam took second overall with a time of 1:57.49. Dason and Vandam beat some stiff competition including four time World Champion Spencer Smith. The top five finishers in the Men’s 20-24 age group were CDTs Bryan Lagasse (2:07.17), Peter Bauleke (2:07.41), Andrew Stock (2:08.10), Michael Spears (2:08.10), and Ryan Peacock (2:11.04).

For the women, CDT Ashley Morgan claimed second overall with a time of 2:18.14, less than a minute behind the first-place overall female. CDT Randall Wintermantel placed fifth overall with a time of 2:23.06. In the Women’s 20-24 age group, CDT Kari Vahle placed fifth with a time of 2:34.06, and CDT Christine Kawoczka finished sixth, only forty seconds behind. For complete results please go here .

Tony was extremely proud of everyone’s performance as many people set individual personal records. Furthermore, congrats to Brittany Fraser and Christina Fenstermaker for completing their first Olympic distance triathlon! This week the team will begin taper and focus for Collegiate Nationals. We are less than two weeks away and everyone is getting really excited.

We would also encourage everyone to go to www.enduranceconspiracy.com and check out the new shirt designs that Coach Tony DeBoom has specifically created for the team. Tony is the founder and designer of all the shirts on Endurance Conspiracy. The shirts are one of a kind and relate specifically to our great sport. Many team members have already begun filling their wardrobes with these awesomely unique shirts. It is not too often that you can find designer shirts that are tailored for endurance athletes.

This week we are going to highlight Cadet Sergeant Randy Wintermantel and Cadet Corporal Andy Stock.

Cadet Sergeant Randy Wintermantel joined the team this past Fall and has made an immediate impact. Randy is a naturally talented athlete and has picked up the sport very quickly. Since her first races last Fall she has continued to improve and has always brought home hardware from each race. In fact, Randy will also be competing for Team USA this summer at the World Championships held in Vancouver. Randy came to the team after playing for the Army Women’s Soccer team and also the Army Women’s Lacrosse team. Randy’s hard work and determination everyday inspires everyone on the team to do their best. Randy is currently a Cow (junior) in Company D3. Below are some questions that she answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
Last semester was my first triathlon experience. The West Point Triathlon was my first.

What has been your best race so far?
My best race was this past race at The Great Clermont Triathlon.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
Normally the run.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
Spring Break training this year down in Florida. Between the race, the training, and being with the team it was the best trip I could have asked for.

What are your goals for this season?
Win Nationals!!! and improve my swimming

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
GO hard in training, give everything you have on race day and have fun, because if you're not having fun what's the point

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Engineers and would love Hawaii

Cadet Corporal Andy Stock has been on the team since his plebe year and been a consistent top performer for the team. Andy comes to triathlon from a wrestling background in high school and his body has made the difficult transition to triathlon. Every race Andy has seen improvement and he is always a threat to podium. Andy had a stellar race this past weekend and will be a threat to many teams at Collegiate Nationals. Andy is one of a group of five guys on the team that constantly battle it out at each race. This strong group will help the Army team displace other competitors. Andy is a rising star on the team who will also be competing in the Escape from Alcatraz race this summer. Cadet Corporal Stock is a Team Leader in Company G2. Below are some questions he answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
My first race was my plebe year at the West Point Triathlon when I was first trying out for the team.

What has been your best race so far?
Wildman Triathlon in Clermont Florida, Spring Break 2008.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
Definitely the Bike.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
Celebrating with the team after we got 3rd in the nation last year in the men's division has to be the best individual memory. All the really tough weekends of 4-hour rides and brutal transition runs come in a close second though.

What are your goals for this season?
My goals for this season are to break the 2-hour mark at Nationals, be part of a national championship team, and to finish the season with no regrets.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
In the words of Col. Sullivan, "Train smart, trust your training, race to win."

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
I would like to branch either Infantry or Engineers at Ft. Carson.

Thanks for your support and GO ARMY TRIATHLON!

The week of: March 14 - 30

The West Point Triathlon Team traveled to Clermont, Florida for a week of intense training during Spring Break. The team arrived on Friday, March 14 and immediately began training under coach and retired professional triathlete Tony Deboom. To start the week, the team competed in the Third Annual Wildman Triathlon and swept the results in both male and female categories. Ashley Morgan (’10, G-4) finished 1st place overall for females, and in the female 20-24 age group, Randy Wintermantel (’09, D-3), Erica Triebenbach (’10, H-3), and Christine Kawoczka (’08, E-4) claimed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, respectively. For the males, 2LT Nick Dason and CDTs Nick Vandam (’09, D-3) and Rob Sherry (’10, D-1) took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places overall. In the male 20-24 age group, West Point triathletes claimed 1st through 7th places, with Nick Sterghos (’09, C-1), Peter Bauleke (’10, D-4), and Andrew Stock (’10, G-2) leading the way and claiming 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.

The team had a light recovery day on Monday with workouts in the morning and time in the afternoon to visit attractions in the Orlando area. Training intensified on Tuesday and the team used the pool at the National Training Center for two-hour swim practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. Each day consisted of a minimum of two workouts, and the average time spent training each day was approximately three hours (not including movement to training sites, setting up and departing). Each training session was briefed to the team by Tony Deboom, and several workouts were tailored for specific ability groups. The training was by far the most intense and structured training that the majority of the team had ever experienced.

On Wednesday evening, the team was honored to have a true legend in the sport of triathlon over for dinner of grilled chicken and salmon. Eleven time Ironman Champion Lisa Bentley and her husband came by to share some of their experiences and advice. Lisa has competed in thirty-two Ironmans (so if you are doing the math she has won about 1 out of every 3 she has entered) over her amazing 18 year career. She spent a great deal of time answering questions and speaking to the Triathlon team. All team members were struck by Lisa’s positive and optimistic attitude and \her constructive approach to problem solving, whether she was battling injuries from training or obstacles and mishaps during an Ironman race. Lisa then joined the team on Thursday morning for a swim at the NTC, followed by a 50-mile bike ride and a 35-minute transition run. The team was truly honored to get great advice from such an accomplished triathlete and just an overall amazing person. Thank you again Lisa and Dave for taking the time to come hang out with the team. For more information on Lisa Bentley and all her accomplishments please check out here website at LisaBentley.com

The week of training peaked on Saturday morning with a two-hour workout of mini-triathlons. The team warmed up with a short bike ride and then completed four mini-triathlons (400-meter swim, ~5.5-mile bike, ~1-mile run) back to back, focusing on swim-bike and bike-run transition speed. Through the fierce competition amongst team members and extreme fatigue from the week’s training, the team saw several athletes perform exceptionally well, with one-mile run times dipping into the low five-minute range on the third and fourth mini-triathlons.

On Easter Sunday, the team rose early for a ninety-minute “recovery” run and a forty-minute spin on the bike. The team then packed the bikes for transport back to West Point and ate an Easter brunch prepared by Christine Kawoczka. The ADVON party (2LT Dason and CDTs Bryan Lagasse and Ryan Peacock) departed Clermont for West Point shortly after noon on Sunday, and the remainder of the team spent the day relaxing, recovering, and cleaning the houses. The team had dinner at Olive Garden on Sunday night, and departed for the airport at 0445 on Monday morning.

The Spring Break trip would not have been as successful without the unwavering support of the Officer-in-Charge LTC Ralph Vargas and the Directorate of Cadet Activities (DCA). LTC Vargas does a lot of the logistical and behind the scenes work that allows us to travel to great places and train without interruption. We thank him and his family for their continued support. DCA helps fund and support many of the team activities as well as many other competitive clubs at West Point. For more information on DCA please check out their website at Directorate of Cadet Activities. Thank you for all your support!

The team headed down to Florida with two goals in mind and they accomplished both which were: to spend a week focused on intense training for Collegiate Nationals and to bond as a team through training and living together. The Triathlon Team is very optimistic about the remainder of the season and is looking forward to Collegiate Nationals on 19 April.

This week we are going to highlight CDT CPL Peter Bauleke and CDT SGT Kari Vahle.

Cadet Corporal Peter Bauleke is the team’s Intelligence (S-2) Officer and a Team Leader in Company D4. Peter is in charge of securing lodging, rental vehicles and directions for every place the team goes. He also ensures the team has maps of the upcoming races so they can see the course before they get there. Peter is a member of the strong Class of 2010 that makes up the core of this team. Peter has been a consistent performer and scorer for the team. Most recently he placed a dramatic fifth for the team at the Wildman Triathlon in which he was barely outsprinted by fellow teammate Nicholas Sterghos. Peter is a great asset to the team who always manages to make everyone smile and sets the example by working very hard. Not only is he an accomplished triathlete but he also excels in the Military realm (most recently being selected to go to Sapper School) and in the Academic realm, in which he has one of the highest GPAs on the team. Below are a few questions he answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
I did a couple of races before my Senior Year in High School.

What has been your best race so far?
Collegiate Nationals 2007. Encountered a lot of setbacks in the race but good mental victory.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
The Bike. Its the only leg when I really feel like I am moving fast.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
Spring Break Training Trips. Its just really nice to train with no other worries or stressors like the many presented at West Point. Great bonding experiences with everyone on the team as well.

What are your goals for this season?
My goal is to go sub 2 hours at Collegiate Nationals in order to help the team win.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Train smarter, not harder. But still, work really, really, hard.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Infantry and Bragg.

Cadet Sergeant Kari Vahle has been on the triathlon team for two years. Kari came to the team after swimming for the Army Swim team her Plebe Year. Since making the switch Kari has continued to improve and post great results. This past Fall she qualified to represent Team USA at the World Triathlon Championships to be held this June in Vancouver! Kari, like Peter also excels in many other realms at West Point. Most recently she returned from a Mission Trip in the Dominican Republic over Spring Break and this past Summer she earned her Air Assault Wings. Kari is a great asset to the team and someone the team can count on to always be smiling. Kari is currently a Squad Leader in Company A3. Below are a few questions she answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
I started racing beginning of my sophomore year. The West Point Tri was my first triathlon, so I was ecstatic when I made the team.

What has been your best race so far?
2007 Collegiate Nationals. I dropped about 12 minutes off my best olympic time, and had an overall great race. I felt stronger than ever before. And it was awesome to race against so many other college students.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
The swim-the one leg I can always get ahead on! But really, I have been swimming since I was about five years old and have developed a love for the sport.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
At the Jarden Westchester Triathlon, I had just got off the bike and started the run. Christine passed me shortly into the run, and encouraged me to keep up with her. I struggled to stay at her heels through the entire run, going faster than I ever thought I could, all because she kept encouraging me the entire way. Needless to say I had my best run ever and a great finish. This is the race where I qualified for Worlds, and I have Christine to thank.

What are your goals for this season?
You might laugh if you heard how much time I plan to drop at Nationals this year... My goals and pace times for Nationals are written on a note card posted above my desk.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
When you don't feel like working out, just remember that there's someone out there training to beat you, and the only way to get ahead of him/her is to train harder.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Hopefully either Medical Service Corps or Quartermaster at Ft. Lewis. I have CTLT at Ft. Lewis this summer with Med. Service Corps, so hopefully that will help with branch decisions.

Be sure to check in next week for the latest news on your favorite Tri team. To read the past blogs go here. Thanks for your support and GO ARMY TRIATHLON!

Team Mission

The Army Triathlon Team is a group of 20 world-class athletes dedicated to becoming national champions. Our training focuses on performing well at the olympic distance triathlon which consists of a 1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run. We train through intense workouts at least twice a day while balancing other demands on our time.

The week of: March 10 - March 13

This week...

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!! CONGRATS TO NICK DASON, NICK VANDAM, NICK STERGHOS AND ASHLEY MORGAN! All four were named All-Americans for 2007 by the United States Association of Triathlon (the sports governing body in the United States). Additionally ROB SHERRY was named to the Honorable Mention team. This recent announcement was a nice capper to the already impressive showing the Army Triathlon team had in 2007. A wrap up of the year includes: One Age Group National Champion, four All Americans, one All American Honorable Mention, five Team USA Triathlon members, one World Triathlon Championship Bronze Medal winner, and presently ranked fifth best collegiate team in America. With the team training so hard and under the great guidance and direction of Coach Tony DeBoom the team and the Academy can only expect more outstanding results and awards! Congrats again to those exceptional cadets.

The first week in March was another rough week for the cadets. With Spring Break right around the corner many teachers and classes are trying to cram in as many graded events as they can. The week started off rough for many and the Cadet leadership and Tony discussed at great length how it would affect the training schedule. Ultimately it was decided that some of the workouts should be altered in order to not completely break down the cadets. Additionally the entire team had to complete the required military 8-hour training on Saturday. During the school year every cadet is required to complete an 8-hour training session that refreshes them on battle drills and weapons qualification in order to keep them proficient in their military skills. This past Saturday happened to be some of the worst weather West Point has seen this Spring with nearly four inches of rain coming down throughout the day. However, the cadets braved the weather and were able to practice their MOUT (clearing houses/urban areas) and react to contact skills. The team can now focus its weekends for the rest of the school year on training and racing for triathlon.

The team is really excited to head down to Florida at the end of the week. The majority of the team will be heading to Clermont, Florida for not only an intensive training camp but also for its first race. The cadets will be racing in the Wildman Triathlon held in Orlando on Sunday 16 March. Everyone is excited to get the chance to race and enjoy the beautiful weather. Tony will be meeting the team in Florida and has a tough training plan designed to set the team up for Nationals in April.

The team would also like to thank Dark Horse Cycles for there tremendous support. Six members of the team sent there bikes with Mike to get all sorts of things done, from new tape jobs to complete tune-ups. The bikes came back looking great and ready for racing. The team is very thankful for having such great support and advice from Mike and George at Dark Horse Cycles in Montgomery, New York.

This week we are going to start introducing a male and a female cadet. First on the agenda is CDT CPL Bryan Lagasse. Bryan is in his second year on the team and is part of a very strong Class of 2010. Bryan has seen great improvement since he joined the team and has always been a top performer. His hard work and dedication were rewarded when he qualified for the World Championships in the Sprint distance this past August in Hamburg, Germany. Bryan had a strong showing and represented the Academy well. Not only does Bryan exert everything at practice daily but also when he hits the books. Bryan is currently near the top of his class academically and is the team tutor when it comes to almost any subject. Bryan is currently a Team Leader in Company F4. Below are some questions he answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
The summer between my junior and senior year in High school I did my first set of races with my Dad and my brother. It was great having them to train and race with. It has really brought us closer together being able to share those experiences.

What has been your best race so far?
Probably the Annapolis Triathlon last semester or Collegiate Nationals last year. At both these races I really pushed myself outside of my comfort zone and ended up having a great race both for myself and the team.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
The run because it's where you really have to focus on your race and where you find out how much you want to win. Everything else is just positioning.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
Competing in the World Championships last year in Hamburg, Germany. Even though I didn't have a great race the chance to race with some of the world's top athletes was a great experience and taught me a lot about what it takes to win.

What are your goals for this season?
To win Collegiate Nationals in April. I have personal goals on the times I want to get but my main focus is to train so that the team is in the best spot to win the championship this year.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something. The only one who can tell you that you can't is you and you don't have to listen, don't be afraid to push yourself because you never know what you can accomplish or where your legs will take you. And most importantly always enjoy what you are doing.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Right now I'm split between Aviation, Engineers, and Infantry but that's a few years down the road so we'll see. As far as post...just give me someplace warm year round.

The next triathlete we are going to introduce is CDT CPL Ashley Morgan who is also a member of the Class of 2010. Ashley is not only an outstanding triathlete (she was recently named an All-American as noted above) but also a great runner on the Cross Country and Track teams as well. She balances doing all her running workouts and then fitting in her triathlon workouts when she can. This past Fall Ashley was a key scorer for the Army Women’s Cross Country team. Additionally, at the World Championships in Hamburg, Germany she brought home the Bronze Medal in the 19 and under age group. So far this Winter she has continued to improve by setting personal records at a few indoor track meets all the while maintaining her fitness in the pool and on the bike. Ashley is a great asset to the team and will be key in helping the Army Tri team bring home the National Championship in April. Ashley is currently a Team Leader in Company G4. Below are a few questions she answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
I started racing senior year in high school but can't say I was serious about learning everything I could about the sport and training seriously until January 2007 when I made the team. After tryouts, I begged the CIC (cadet in charge) of the team at the time for an hour to please let have a shot on the Army Triathlon Team since I was still running track. This single experience has taught me to be always persistent. You've got nothing to lose, only something to gain, if its something you really want!!

What has been your best race so far?
I learned the most from racing at the World Championship in Germany last year where somehow I moved up from a horrible swim in frigid canal water to earn the Bronze for USA. It was such an honor to compete there that every time I heard someone cheer for "Go USA" (in both American and foreign accents), it just inspired a huge sense of pride in where I'm from and what our country stands for, I had to pass the woman in front of me if only for that reason!

What is your favorite leg of the race?
I love the thrill of a road bike, it's like a roller coaster..it is always intense and I have a blast riding!

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
When COL Sullivan taught me through daily correspondence in June while I was training at home before Age Group Nationals last year that training is beyond myself. One day when I wrote in my log that I was just exhausted; I was too tired to move, I told him. COL Sullivan then pointed me to Revelations and helped me find renewed motivation.

What are your goals for this season?
I have every single race note from last year, everything I want to improve on and every goal for this season calculated and taped to my wall in my room.. but besides Tony and a few other people, that's where I'm going to leave them.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Read about Sarah Reinersten, she's my biggest role model and can be much more inspiring than I can!

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Military Intelligence is my first branch choice and then Civil Affairs as soon as I'm a first lieutenant. I want to be a part of the 82nd Airborne in Ft. Bragg, NC.

The team heads down to Florida to race in the Wildman Triathlon in Orlando, Florida this weekend. To view last weeks blog please click here Thanks for everyone's support and Go Army Triathlon!

The week of: March 3 - March 9

The last week of February was a tough week for the Triathlon team. The workouts for this past week were focused on challenging the cadets in certain areas. One of the runs for the week consisted of an hour effort in which hill repeats were done followed up by a tempo run on the flats. The team also had a few hard efforts in the pool, the most exciting being 25 yard sprints with three wide in each lane to simulate swimming in close quarters (i.e. the start of a race). Then everyone had to push through another long ride indoors due to Mother Nature’s wrath of snow that came in on Friday night. On top of all these challenges many of the cadets are getting hammered in the classroom with projects, papers, problem sets, and tests. However, despite everything, the cadets were still able to train over fifteen hours this week (far more than they ever did last semester). The commitment and dedication that each cadet displays daily, show why this team will be a success. The attitude of the team drives everyone to get in the workouts because they know their teammates are counting on them.

This week we are going to highlight the three Nicks on the team. Nick Dason, Nick Vandam, and Nick Sterghos. Last year these three were the top finishers for the Army team at Collegiate Nationals and many of the other races in 2007. All three competed at the USAT Age Group National Championship in Portland, Oregon in which they qualified for Team USA. They traveled with two other tri team members to Hamburg, Germany to compete in the Hamburg BG World Triathlon Championships. Dason placed 121st, Vandam 154th and Sterghos was 209th overall out of more than 1000 of the Worlds’ best Olympic distance Age group athletes.

Second Lieutenant Nick Dason was the Team Captain for the Fall semester before he graduated in December. Nick came to the triathlon team, much like Vandam, after competing for the Army Swim team for his first few years at West Point. Nick joined the team when he returned to the Academy in January 2007 after a deployment to Iraq in 2006. Upon joining the team he strived to push everyone and bring the team to another level. Nick led the team throughout the year at nearly every race and helped the men’s team finish 3rd at Nationals and the overall team finish 5th with his 10th place finish. After graduating he was given the awesome opportunity to stay on at West Point so he could train and compete for the team at Collegiate Nationals in April. Currently Nick is working in the Secretary of General Staff office and is also an Officer Representative for the team. Nick is hoping to continue his racing with the All-Army team after Collegiate Nationals. Below are a few questions Nick answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
I did a few races in high school and then a couple while I was in the Army Mentorship Program in 2005. I would say I didn’t actually start training and racing in triathlon until really January 2007.

What has been your best race so far?
I would say my best race so far was Collegiate Nationals. The swim was rough but the bike and especially the run were very good efforts. It was my first time to have everything click.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
I would definitely say the run. Once you get to the run that is where the true pain, and mental test, starts. This is when I feel I am in the most control, you don’t have to worry about your goggles breaking, wrecking on the bike or getting a flat (this also happens to be my mom’s favorite part because as she says “all you have to do is run fast”). This is where the race is won or lost.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
Winning the Wildman Triathlon was my first overall win and was really cool. Germany was pretty wild with everyone yelling at each other in different languages on the bike course. However, I would have to say the Men’s team placing 3rd overall at Collegiate Nationals was the best. Getting to go up on the stage and get the trophy was awesome. We had come so far in so little time and everyone’s commitment level and attitude changed after that experience. We want the whole team to go up this year.

What are your goals for this season?
Bring home the National Championship for West Point, not only in the men’s race but in the overall category as well. Also to continue to learn from Tony DeBoom as much as possible. Finally, like everyone else, to race fast and bring home some hardware!

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Always keep seeking out knowledge from everyone about not only triathlon but each individual sport as well. Also, you can push your body more than you think you can. Just because it may hurt a little doesn’t mean you need to stop, you need to be smart but to get to the top you must get out of the comfort zone in workouts. Finally, if you do have a bad race don’t think about all the negatives try to take something away from it so you can prevent it from happening again. And have fun!!

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
I am an Army Aviator. I will be starting flight school in September and am thinking about flying Apaches. I won’t decide what post until I am almost done with flight school but I would really like to be in warm weather.

Cadet Sergeant Nick Vandam officially joined the triathlon team last year. Nick competed for the Army Swim team the first two years at the Academy and was one of the top distance swimmers for the team at Navy and the Patriot League Championships. Nick joined the team right after the Patriot League meet in February and made an instant impact. After not running or riding for nearly the entire winter he was still able to place 13th overall at Collegiate Nationals! He continued this success the rest of 2007 at many other races. Nick is currently a Cow (junior) and a Squad Leader in Company D3. Below are a few questions Nick answered for us.

When did you first start racing triathlon?
My first race was in 2002 at the Life Time Fitness triathlon in Minneapolis.

What has been your best race so far?
My best race was 2007 collegiate nationals. It was one of those races where everything seemed to click and I was firing on all cylinders. I ended up 14th so I was pretty happy about that also.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
My favorite leg is the swim because I am a swimmer.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
My best memory in the sport…wow that’s a hard one. I would have to go with my whole experience at the 2006 World championships in Switzerland. It was a one of the most enjoyable 5 days of my life.

What are your goals for this season?
To dominate every race I go to.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Trust in the training and be consistent and you will get better. Oh by the way pain is your savior!

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
I am hoping to branch Engineers at Ft Carson.

Cadet Sergeant Nick Sterghos joined the triathlon team at practically the same time as the other Nicks. Nick came to triathlon from the Cross Country and Track teams here at West Point. Nick has been a consistent performer since joining the team and has also taught everyone a little about how to eat “properly” (those that know Nick appreciate his, as we all refer to it, bizarre diet). Nick is currently a Cow in Company C1. Below are a few questions Nick answered for us.

When did you first start racing triathlon?
I started racing my sophomore year (Spring 2007). I was on the Army XC and Track team, but due to constant injuries which hindered my performance I did not finish out the 2006 cross country season. Eventually, with some encouragement from my parents, I decided over Christmas Break that I was going to tryout for the Army Tri team. One of the best decisions I have made thus far in my life.

What has been your best race so far?
The Annapolis Triathlon. Though my run was not as smooth and relaxed as I wanted it, my swim and bike were consistent enough to allow a great overall finish. Also, the team did really well, though we were not victorious against Navy, but Nationals is what counts and I think we are going to surprise everyone.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
The run, since I have an extensive running background

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
Triathlon team 2007 Spring Break Trip. Even though I was new, everyone opened up and allowed me to be a part of their lives and their team. It was my first time racing as well, and it was magnificent to finally race three sports in one. I had a blast focusing on just training, teamwork, and rest.

What are your goals for this season?
Help the team bring home a National Championship and split sub 2 hours for the Olympic distance e time. Triathlon is not just another sport, but a way of life. Make sure you love what you are doing or it will be for nothing.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Triathlon is a lot of hard work if you want to be successful (you define success), but remember that success is not everything. Triathlon is one of the few sports that allows you to test your mind, body, and spirit all at the same time. Triathlon is not just another sport, but a way of life. Make sure you love what you are doing or it will be for nothing.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Medical Corps or ADA (I won’t find out until next year).

To view last weeks blog please click here Thanks for everyone's support and Go Army Triathlon!

The Weeks of February 11 - February 24

February has been a very quick month for the Cadets on the Triathlon team. The week of 4 February was a shortened due to President’s Day Weekend. For the holiday most of the team took advantage of the long weekend and traveled to different destinations, many being in warm weather, to rest and relax. After returning to West Point on 18 February, the training schedule called for a recovery week and a planned test set on Wednesday in the pool and another 5K on Sunday. Many were relieved to have an easier training week as the academic load for the semester has really started to build up.

This past Thursday 21 February, our coach Tony DeBoom came in town to check on the team. Fortunately he made it in before the massive snowstorm swept across the East Coast and forced everyone to do the long ride on Saturday indoors. However, the weather improved and the roads were clear for the second running of the Army Tri 5K Time Trial. The team braved the cold weather for another chance to race and everyone had strong performances. The results can be seen below:

5k Results:

Name	Time
Vandam	16:08
Dason	16:42
Sherry	17:10
Peacock	17:13
Lagasse	17:15
Stock	17:15
Spears	17:17
MAJ Brown	17:35
Bauleke	17:40
Fox	17:56
Leatherman	18:21
Eggers	19:06
Wintermantel	19:08
Fobar	19:35
Bishop	20:55
Fenstermaker	21:25
Kawoczka	21:39
Vahle	22:30
Triebenbach	22:54
Fraser	25:30

Tony was very pleased with the team's performance thus far and is getting everyone ready to crank up the intensity. Everyone is getting really excited to race and see how all their hard work is going to pay off. Furthermore, the team is excited to see Tony again because it will be in the beautiful and sunny Clermont, Florida in a mere two weeks!!

The team would also like to thank MAJ and Mrs. Brown for having everyone over for some good home cooking on Sunday afternoon. It is always nice to get the team together in a social fashion and to eat some great food. Everyone stuffed their stomachs before they had to head down to the tri rooms to do an easy hour spin Sunday evening. It is the support of all our great Officer Representatives and the West Point community that make this team so special and successful.

Earlier this month, a group of cadets and MAJ Brown, an Officer Representative for the Army Triathlon Team, traveled to Total Immersion in New Paltz, New York to work on their swimming technique. They received hands on instruction and guidance from Terry Laughlin and also Lou Tharp, a volunteer swim coach with the Tri team. The group enjoyed the use of the swimming plume and benefitted greatly from being able to break down their stroke and see it in the mirrors under water. Total Immersion is a great resource that the Army Tri Team is so fortune to have available for their use and has helped improve everyone's swim efficiency and speed (which is key for triathlon). Thanks Terry and Lou for all your hard work and help!

The team would also like to thank a very important sponsor and that is Trisports! Trisports.com is a great resource for anything and everything you need to compete in multi-sport events. As the team is gearing up for the training trip down to Florida and also its first few races, everyone is purchasing last minute essentials that will help them train and compete with the best in the nation. Be sure to check out their website for great deals and quality products!

This week we are going to continue to highlight the leadership of the Army Triathlon Team. The Personnel Officer, S-1, for the team is CDT CPT Christine Kawoczka. Christine has been the S-1 for more than two years and has played a very key role in everything the team does. Not only does she account for all the team members daily, which she must update for West Point online, but she also ensures everyone is registered for all the races we attend. On top of all these duties, Christine holds one of the highest positions at West Point, she is the Regimental Commander for 4th Regiment! She was given this prestigious role after doing so well as the Buckner II Commander. In addition to all these roles Christine is an accomplished triathlete (finishing her first Ironman this past Fall) and an outstanding student. Below are a few questions she answered:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
My first triathlon was actually the West Point Tri the beginning of my yuk (sophomore) year which also happened to be the team's tryout. I guess it was just beginners luck that I made the team the first time I competed.

What has been your best race so far?
My best race was the Florida Ironman. Not so much because of my time (though I did surprise myself) but because of the work it took to train up and cross that finish line. Its almost impossible to explain just how rewarding it is to hear that announcer tell you that you ARE an Ironman.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
Definately the run. I may not be the fastest one out there but I can keep a decent pace while everyone else is getting tired so I enjoy passing people.

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
Traveling with the team. Whether its to a local race, one across the country or on spring break; we never fail to have a great time. I have made some amazing friends along the way in this sport.

What are your goals for this season?
My goals are to improve on my time from last nationals (though that was a bad race so that should be easy!) and to help the team take it all this year!

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Don't ride near Cristin Browne... she will surely crash into you!

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Aviation! Posting? Thats not for another year for me, I'll worry about that then.

The last, but certainly not least, key leader for the Army Tri team is CDT SGT Ryan Peacock. Ryan is the Supply Officer, S-4, for the team and is responsible for ensuring that all members have the appropriate clothing and equipment to train and compete. Ryan was recently promoted to this position when JL took over as Team Captain this Spring. Additionally, Ryan is also the creator and manager of this outstanding website. Ryan has had a very successful Cadet career not only in triathlon but also in the Academic and Military realms as well. This past semester he was one of four Platoon Sergeants in Company A4. Below are a few questions Ryan answered for us:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
Freshmen Year second semester... sooo, 2 years ago.

What has been your best race so far?
Nationals last year.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
The swim

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
This one is easy, it was holding up the third place trophy from last year at nationals and winning fifth overall as a team

What are your goals for this season?
To continue to improve in all areas, with a special emphasis on the run

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
Keep training. Triathlon has easily been the most rewarding experience of my life because it allows me to work hard to achieve my goals.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Military Intelligence or Infantry with my post being wherever the Army deems necessary. Don’t really have a preference.

To view last weeks blog please click here Thanks for everyone's support and Go Army Triathlon!

The Week of February 4th - February 10th

The first week in February came and went very quickly. Coming off a recovery week the cadets began to crank up the intensity and duration as the week progressed. A couple of highlights from last weeks training consisted of a very tough Wednesday for the tri team. In the morning the cadets had to do a tempo run in which the focus was on short, race pace efforts (fortunately the temperature was moderate) and then in the evening they had a very difficult 5000 yard swim workout. The cadets were battling it out over distances of 50, 100, and 200 yard race efforts. Then on Saturday the cadets had a four-hour ride followed by a taxing transition run. Many cadets suffered through the long ride on the trainers due to inclimate weather; however, a few braved the blowing wind and heavy snow in order to avoid the trainers for another day. The week ended with a long run and the cadets preparing for another challenging week of training that will build on last weeks efforts.

Two of the teams' newest members also got new bikes this week. Christina Fenstermaker and Will Eggers made the trip up to Dark Horse Cycles to purchase a Specialized Ruby Comp and a Specialized Tarmac Double Comp road bikes respectively. Both cadets were given great attention and help in picking out possibly their biggest purchase of the year. George went out of his way to ensure the cadets got their bikes as soon as possible (not an easy task with Christina needing a very small and Will needing a very large bike) and that they had a good fit. The Triathlon team is truly in good hands with George up at Dark Horse Cycles in Montgomery, New York.

The team would also like to congratulate a few of its members who successfully completed the arduous Sapper tryouts this past weekend. Cadets Ryan Peacock, Bryan Lagasse, Rob Sherry, Peter Bauleke, and Andrea Filozof punished their bodies through an Army Physical Fitness Test, a five-mile run, a challenging 12-mile ruck march, and numerous other obstacles throughout the chilling weather on Sunday. The tri team members proved they are among the most fit in the Corps by posting some of the top performances throughout the day. The team members will soon find out if they were selected to attend the Army Sapper School this summer. Congrats again and nice job!

This week we would like to highlight the cadet leadership of the Army Triathlon team. The Team Captain is Cadet Lieutenant John Leatherman. JL, as he is referred to on the team, has had a very successful cadet and triathlon career. Not only has he posted great academic grades and held prestigious positions in the Cadet Chain of Command but he was also the Honor Grade at the demanding Army Sapper School! JL has been the team Supply Officer (S4) for the past two years before being promoted this past semester. The team is very fortunate to have JL as their leader as he consistently leads by example and sets the standard both at and away from practice. Below are some questions we asked JL:

1. When did you first start racing triathlon?
My first triathlon was the West Point Triathlon in August of 2005, when I made the triathlon team.

2. What has been your best race so far?
My best race was the New Jersey Devilman Half-Ironman in 2007. I went into the race completely relaxed because we were just there to have fun, and ended up with a very good personal swim time, caught some faster teammates on the bike, and then held a steady run and felt great until the last 200 yards.

3. What is your favorite leg of the race?
My favorite leg of the race is the bike because I don't have a huge background in biking, so it's still a lot of fun to jump on and ride.

4. What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
My best memory is the weekend spent with the team at the Lone Star Triathlon Festival in Galveston, TX, in March of 2007. It's great traveling and competing with such a good group of athletes.

5. What are your goals for this season?
My primary goal for this season is to be consistent across all three events in all races. I'm working to strengthen my swim stroke and be able to run at a consistent pace after pushing hard on the bike. I don't relate my personal goals to specific times.

6. What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
My advice to other triathletes, especially beginners, is to find somebody who can help you improve technique and find somebody who can push you during the workouts. Even if you can't hang with them, you'll be pushing yourself harder and further than you thought you could.

7. What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
Branched infantry and posted to Ft. Bragg, 82nd Airborne.

The Training Officer (S3) for the team is Cadet Corporal Robert Sherry. Although only a Yearling, Rob has been a leader and a force to reckon with in races since he came onto the team last year. Rob is responsible for making sure everyone is not only completing the workouts but that they are doing what the workout prescribes properly. Rob had a very successful Fall campaign and he hopes to capitalize on it this Spring at Collegiate Nationals. Below are a few questions that Rob answered:

When did you first start racing triathlon?
2002, sophomore year of high school

What has been your best race so far?
Last race of '07 season- the Mightyman Sprint Triathlon. I rode and ran "like I stole something." Although I'm prouder of my 4:30 half-ironman last May, I learned at Mightyman that the biggest key to my success is believing in my abilities.

What is your favorite leg of the race?
The bike- always attack, attack, attack!!

What is your best memory in your triathlon career thus far?
Spring Break '07- 10 day training trip to FL. I formed bonds with a few guys that will be my life-long friends.
**See us in Clermont, FL (14-24 March) for Spring Break '08!

What are your goals for this season?
Team- We will win Collegiate Nationals '08 in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Individually-Only two guys know my goal- Tony D. and Nick D.
Ask me again after I cross the finish line on April 19th if I met my goal. You'll be able to see it in my eyes.

What advice do you have to give to other triathletes?
No matter your goals or abilities, ensure first and foremost that you enjoy your sport. Triathlon training and racing is hard, but if you can find meaning and at the same time pleasure in what you're doing, you are sure to be successful.

What is your branch and post? (or hoping)
I hope to branch Infantry or Engineers, where I feel my leadership abilities and education (physical, military, and academic) may best be applied. I'm less concerned with where I post- likely wherever the Army sends me.
*** I want to send a big shoutout to all of my teammates, who continue to "show-up" each and every day, always giving their best effort. You all are a constant source of motivation.

Both Rob and JL are among five team members who race on the specially made and designed Army Aegis bike. The team has an outstanding relationship with Aegis and pictures of the bikes can be seen on the sponsor link.

The Week of January 29th - February 3rd

We are going to be joining the ranks of many other websites and the new trend by having a weekly blog about members of the triathlon team. In addition to news about upcoming events, the blog will give all Army Triathlon supporters a chance to catch up on the training the team did for the previous week in preparation for the run up to Collegiate Nationals to be held in April at the beautiful home of the University of Alabama. It is going to be a very exciting weekend as there is also going to be the Olympic Trials for 2008 Beijing hopefuls and a 2012 ID Talent Sprint on Sunday. Furthermore, each week we will highlight a few outstanding cadets that make up the very successful Army Triathlon team. Please check in regularly for news and information.

The week of January 22nd brought our Coach Tony Deboom back to the Academy for the first time since November. Tony, a West Point graduate and a world-renowned professional triathlete, recently started a coaching company with his brother, Tim (two-time World Ironman Champion), and friend Mecca called DeboomSportsMecca. Fortunately for the Army Triathlon team, Tony has taken on the task of coaching all 20 members and guiding us to the National Championship! Tony was very impressed with the improvement and fitness level of everyone on the team. Currently the team is training at 15+ hours a week in addition to the always challenging and rigorous cadet schedule. The cadets are managing to fit in four swim workouts, four bike workouts, five run workouts, and two strength routines per week! The weekends are when the serious training is completed in which the cadets go on 3-4 hour rides on Saturday with a long run on Sunday. These workouts do not just consist of getting on the bike or getting in the pool and flopping around. Tony has key pieces of each workout that usually require an intense or focused effort.

The last week in January was designated a recovery week for the cadets. The team had a strong month and Tony wants to give everyone a chance to absorb the workouts and increase their fitness level. There are still some intense workouts; however most of the week will consist of active recovery workouts (basically meaning the cadets will just get on the bike or in the pool and go through the motions). The team did have a swim test assessment on Wednesday in which everyone improved dramatically from when they did it in the Fall. This past weekend we also ran a 5K time trial. We had to run two different sessions due to the Yearling Winter Weekend festivities. It was a beautiful day and we held the run on a looping course down near the track. Everyone was really happy with the results and the team is getting more and more excited to race next month!

5k Results

Name	Time
Vandam	16:27
Dason	16:30
Spears	16:51
Lagasse	17:05
Stock	17:18
Fox	17:25
Cahoy	17:26
MAJ Brown	17:45
Peacock	17:50
Leatherman	18:11
Wintermantel	18:49
Filozof	19:33
Eggers	19:40
Fobar	19:45
Fenstermaker	21:23

The team would also like to congratulate the newest members of the team for outperforming the other cadets during tryouts to make it on the roster. Making the team for the women was Cadet SGT Christina Fenstermaker and for the men Cadet SGT Andy Cahoy and Cadet SGT Will Eggers. Congrats again!

Each week we are also going to bio a cadet or officer that is a key part of the Army team. This week we are honored to talk about COL Sullivan.

COL Sullivan came on to the team last year and was a key part in taking the program to the next level. COL Sullivan took over coaching in the Fall 2007 and lead the Men's team to a 3rd Place finish at Nationals and the overall team to a 5th Place finish out of 80 teams! COL Sullivan rescinded his position as Coach when Tony came on board but he still serves as a great mentor and adviser for everyone on the team. He has made a huge impact on everyone he meets and we will truly miss him when he heads off to Iraq in a few weeks. It is great men and women like him that allow us to compete, train, and carry on with our lives without having to worry about things that are necessary in many parts of the world, such as our own personal safety. Below is some interesting information that we asked COL Sullivan:

• When did you join the Army? Commissioned in 1985, QM officer, Eastern Kentucky University
• When did you start racing Triathlons? First Triathlon was in 1988. Furman, SC.
• How many have you competed in? Over 100
• What do you consider your best race? Australia IM 95 (10:24) or Leon's 96 (Chicago-then Military National Championships, 7th overall)
• What is your favorite event (leg of the race)? Run
• What is one thing you have learned during your tenure as a triathlete that others should know? Train smart, trust your training, race to win.
• What is your future (i.e. what is your job in Iraq?) Commander, 402nd Army Field Support Brigade, Balad Iraq

Good luck Sir! Please check our website weekly as we will continue to update and inform all our biggest fans and supporters.

Army Triathlon dominates at Mighty Man

The Army Triathlon Team traveled to Montauk this past weekend to compete in the Northeast Collegiate Triathlon Conference Championship and was also the final triathlon of their fall season. The team dominated, as the men took 9 of the top 10 collegiate spots and the women took home 5 of the top 6 collegiate spots. The triathlon was a sprint consisting of a 750 meter swim, 17 kilometer bike, and a 5k run. Results can be found from the results page.

Tri Team Competes at Westchester

This past weekend saw the Army Team in Westchester, NY competing in their 'A' race of the season. The team performed remarkably well, going up against a tough pro field and over 800 other competitors. Nick Dason, Nick Vandam and Nick Sterghos finished in the top 10 overall. The team was also able to take the top 4 in the Male 18-19 division, 1-5 in the Male 20-24 division and 4 out of the top 5 in the Female 20-24 division.

Army Tri takes on Navy

Army traveled to Annapolis to compete in their first Olympic distance triathlon of the season and also to see how they stacked up against Navy, who won last years National Collegiate Championship. The team performed well, with the three Nicks (Dason, Vandam and Sterghos) placing in the overall top 10. The team came close to beating Navy but ultimately fell when the final results were posted. The race gave the team valuable experience in racing at the olympic distance.

Small Contingent Travels to Penn.

Due to many conflicts with West Point, a very small group of Army Triathletes made the journey to Pennsylvania in order to compete in the Whipple Dam Tri. A very small triathlon, it nevertheless gave the group valuable racing experience on a very challenging, hilly course. West Point had a good showing, with 4 out of the 6 competitors finishing in the top 10.

West Point Triathlon a Success

The 18th annual West Point Triathlon was conducted this past Sunday at Camp Buckner. The race was a success, with over 500 competitors completing the 800 meter swim, 25 kilometer bike and 5 kilometer run. Ashley Morgan and Nicholas Vandam placed the highest among returning team members with a 1st and 2nd place respectively. The race is the teams primary fundraiser and allows them to travel to their races in the spring.