Hometown:

Hamler, OH (think flat and cornfields)

Current city:

Grand Rapids, MI

Age:

33 (I bare it on my calf for half of the year, so I can't hide it)

Height:

5’9 ½" (I can’t claim the full 5’10" barefooted, but my college volleyball program height was 5’11")

Occupation:

International / New Business Development Financial Analyst at BISSELL Homecare, Inc.

Family:

My twin grey tabby cats, Asher and Maileigh

College highlights:
Three-time NCAA Division III All-American (2 - heptathlon, 1 - high jump)
All-MIAA honors for track & field

Post-collegiate highlights:

2005 Mitchell’s Run 5K & 2005 Race Thru the Rapids 5K – age group winner
2008 XTERRA Midwest Regional Points Champion
2009 Harvest Stompede - age group winner
2009 XTERRA USA Championships - top 10 age group finish
2009 XTERRA World Championships - finished hydrated, uninjured, and with a fully functional bike

Favorite races:

Harvest Stompede - a 7 mile trail run through the vineyards on the Leelanau Peninsula, followed by 2 days of wine tasting
XTERRA O.N.E. - while this course initially terrified me, I now enjoy the challenge and look forward to my third go at it

Goals:

Reclaim the XTERRA Regional Championship in 2010
Complete my Masters in Accounting in 2011, then complete an Ironman

Journey:

I have evolved from a high school sprinter and high jumper, to a collegiate heptathlete, to beach volleyball player, to a 5K racer, to a recreational mountain biker, to a competitive off-road triathlete. I threw in one 25K Riverbank Run and a half marathon on Mackinac Island, hardly believing that 10 years prior, I hated running as far as 800 meters. So where does that leave me now? While I would have to say running is my strength, I am looking forward to improving on the bike with the help of my new teammates, and I actually enjoy hopping in the frigid pool / lakes for a swim on most days. My focus for this season will remain XTERRA off-road triathlons, but I plan to do some mountain bike races, and get a little more friendly with my first road bike. I won't deny that cyclocross has peaked my interest as well.

Thoughts on the team:

I think being a part of the Priority Health team as a multi-sport athlete is a wonderful opportunity. Not only is support from teammates a tremendous encouragement, but being part of a group of local athletes of this caliber is exciting. I am looking forward to training and racing with my teammates and sharing my passion about living a healthy lifestyle with the community.