Tristar Athletes Southwest - Durst "Continuous Improvement" Breneiser - athlete bio -”My goal is to continually improve, not just pace and times but my own health and goals, both within triathlon and outside.”
Athlete Bios
Leslie "Survivor" Tafoya - athlete bio
Brian "Sandman" McgGee - athlete bio
"Uncle Fred" Skinner - athlete bio
“Uncle Fred Skinner” Athlete bio - Fun facts: Kona Bound in 2020 after winning his age group at IMLV in 2019, Fred lives on a high mountain ski slope in New Hampshire with his wife Virginia, with beautiful views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Fred does his long rides around New Hampshire and every time he gets home he has to ride up the mountain one mile with a steady grade of 13%! (You can actually stand leaning into the mountain in front of his driveway.) Talk about a way to end every bike ride with a 1mi time trial treat on the legs! OUCH! Fred swims in open water across Lake Winnipesaukee during the warmer summer months and is a dedicated athlete.
Kelli "Making Moves" Rantz - athlete bio
Kelli "competitive" Rantz - athlete bio. “I am a Certified Pilates Instructor and Movement Specialist. I admit I am a total movement nerd and gait creeper! I just love teaching movement through mind/body connection and balanced muscle control. I am fascinated by watching random people walk, run, and cycle. Lately (about 14 years), I've been really caught up observing incorrect gait and pedal stroke). I really do drive my family, friends and sisters NUTS!”
Joe "Deep South" Rummler - athlete bio
Toby "Red-line" Rider - athlete bio
Tristar Athletes Southwest - Toby “Red-line” Rider -My first athletic challenge was in 6th grade. I rode my little BMX bicycle from Torrance to Marineland (in Palos Verdes) straight up Hawthorne Blvd. That was several thousand feet of climbing, wearing jeans. I put PB&J sandwiches and a jug of water in my backpack……
"Ultra" Julian Summers - athlete bio
Tristar Athletes Southwest Team - "Ultra" Julian Summers - Julian is one of our brightest Tristars! reaching for both the moons and the heavens when it comes to goals. A competitive thirst for going long, and at the same time brining a winning attitude and smile to those he races along side; you can’t help but get caught up in his winning spirit!
Brett "Colonel" Buehner - athlete bio
Ash "from OZ" Forrester - athlete bio
Tristar Athletes Southwest - Ash “from OZ” Forrester; “From Australia, love to travel and have lived for periods of time in various parts of the world including stints in London, New York, and now SoCal. Have 8 year old boy/girl twins.“ Coaches Notes: Ash is a fun and passionate athlete and somehow manages to train super hard doing so with a smile. We think he might be missing the “pain gene”!
Walter "gun show" Welsh - athlete bio
Tristar Athletes Northeast Team -Walter "gun show" Welsh - Walter has taken on some of the more challenging races in cycling across the country. From Fondo’s to tours, he has improved dramatically in just a few short seasons. Walter came out to our Oceanside race camp in 2019 and wasn’t satisfied with just any long ride, so he blazed his own trail to the top of Palomar Mountain. He wasn’t done there, he helped pull home the entire team on day three from San Diego to Oceanside!
George "crank arm" Ferris- athlete bio
Will "Draft Legal" Kampf - athlete bio
Tristar Athletes Southwest - Will "Draft Legal" Kampf - “ I look forward to every workout. Well, not every workout. Sessions on the bike trainer kind of hurt! I’m in a transition period of my life. Changing careers and putting my family first. Having a five and three year old has put a lot in perspective and requires a ton of work. It is making me a healthier person and allowing me to also get back into triathlon after a few years off
Kurt "Young Jedi" Skalamera- athlete bio
Tristar Athletes Northeast Team -Kurt "Young Jedi" Skalamera - “….Nothing cools me down like a jump in the ocean after a long run. Nothing hydrates me like an ice cold beer after a long ride. I dive into movies like I dive into the pool: full immersion! Recovery days are the best when I can binge a good show or host a movie marathon. NYC is my home and I love all that it offers for food, culture, art and - not least of all - training!”
Samantha "First place" Firstenberg - athlete bio
Nobuyuki "Yuki" Yukawa - athlete bio
Tristar Athletes Southwest - Nobuyuki “Yuki” Yukawa - “My first race was Xterra off-road triathlon @ Laguna Beach back in 2016. I started MTB 7 years before that and self-trained for a year and finally I made it. After that race, I came across a swimming group, SMOG, and got to know Cliff and now I'm racing 70.3 Ironman and training is part of my life.
Tanya "strong" Parmley - athlete bio
Tristar Athletes Northwest Team - “ ….I have since done several triathlons, including one 70.3 and love the feeling of structure, accomplishment and seeing my friends achieve similar goals. Its a lifelong process and journey that I have embraced and realize that I'm only getting stronger as I get older.”
Angela "ultra competitive" Kirkendall - athlete bio
Tristar Athletes Northwest Team - Angela "ultra competitive" Kirkendall - “I am a mom to Cooper (6), married to Kent. I am a Critical Care Nurse working in the Cardiology Dept. at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. I am ultra competitive person even though in triathlon I am a back of the packer. haha I have tried every sport under the sun as a child, and did well in most of them. Swimming is my happy place, and running is the death of me.”
Bryan "BAM💥" Schleppy - athlete bio
Ryan "Chef" Ososky - athlete bio
Ryan is a top age grouper and top chef in the Los Angeles area. Recently Ryan opened a Plant Based restaurant in the Los Angeles area called Nics on Beverly. Competitive in the kitchen and out on courses!