The Phoenix Triathlon Club Supported Team is made up of six club members who have been club members 12 months, consistently place well in races, provide leadership within the club, wear club apparel and use  PTC sponsor products and are viewed as ambassadors of the  club and of the sport. Supported team members are selected each year through an application process. 
More on supported team
2008 Supported team application

Scott Perrine - President
President@PhoenixTriathlonClub.org

John Lierle - Vice President
VicePresident@PhoenixTriathlonClub.org

EXPECTATIONS OF SUPPORTED TEAM
A) Team members are expected to wear PTC apparel and sponsor related equipment during PTC training events and during all races. This includes, but is not limited to, PTC clothing, eyewear, helmets, running shoes, hydration packs, among others.
B) Team members are expected to consistently update the Supported Team coordinator with a race schedule and with race results as they occur. This is to be done on a proactive basis by the team member.
C) Team members are expected to race in as many of the “PTC Club Races” as possible during the year.  These races are chosen by the PTC board and will be posted on the PTC web site in January of each year.  The “PTC Club Races” are also eligible for the race reimbursement program. 
D) There are 3-4 races each year that are required races for thePTC Supported Team.  These races are chosen by the PTC board and will be posted on the PTC web site in January of each year.
E) Team members are expected to attend each monthly club meeting held in metro Phoenix.
F) Team members are expected to lead at least one monthly training event.
G) Team members are expected to attend at least two monthly training events.
H) Team members are expected to contribute at least one race story that will be placed on the PTC website.
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Scott Perrine - President & Supported Team
I would like to start off by stating how honored I am to be representing the Phoenix Triathlon Club as both its President and a Supported Team Member.  I have been involved with the PTC for over three years now and I cannot truly express what a great organization and team we have.

So who the heck is Scott Perrine and what is his background?  Well, I got my start in running back in high school where I ran 110 high hurdles and cross country during my freshman and sophomore years and continued to run as a form of exercise throughout my early twenties.

In the last eight years I have ran in 14 Marathons with a PR of 3:11:34 at Tucson in 2004 which qualified me for a second trip to the Boston Marathon.  I still enjoy running and compete in at least one marathon each year.

But enough about running, we are a triathlon club.  My triathlon career began in 2002 after I made a comment to my wife, Chantelle, that I wanted to try a Tri.  Chantelle signed me up for a triathlon training course through our local gym.  Little did she know that she was creating a monster.  I was hooked from the start and have not looked back.  My first triathlon was Mountain Man in Flagstaff and since then I have competed in numerous triathlons each year.  Some of my highlights have been Nautica Malibu (twice), Ralph’s Half Ironman, Dannon (3rd age group), Deuces Wild (4th age group), Boulder Peak, SOMA ½ (twice), Desert Classic Duathlon,  Vineman half, and the Pinnacle of my Tri Career – Ironman Arizona where I ran a 11:34:12.

I would have never had the success I did at Ironman Arizona if it were not for the support and encouragement I received from my family (Chantelle, Brian, Kylie, and Brandon) and my Tri Family (the Phoenix Triathlon Club).  I only hope that I can return that support and encouragement and represent the Phoenix Triathlon Club and all its sponsors in a professional and honorable fashion.
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John Lierle - Vice President

My membership and position as the club’s vice president is proof positive that diversity is alive and well in the Phoenix Triathlon Club.  That’s right diversity, because I represent the back-of-the-pack demographic of our great sport. There are those who are out front and those in the middle, and our club has plenty of both.  But there has to be the “back-of-the-pack”, and that is where “my” people are.  Call it slow or speed challenged, but for those of us who are just getting off the bike while our fleet-of-foot club brethren are finishing a race know, “real” endurance is a three hour Olympic distance race…or a 16:59:59 Ironman. 

I have been a member of the P.T.C. since 2001 when I stumbled into the sport of triathlon in an attempt to lead a healthier lifestyle and that is still what the sport is about for me today.  I get bored doing the same thing and, as we all know, triathlon is about balancing a lot of different things.  Swimming, running and biking, with a little weight training, stretching and cross training thrown in for good measure and it’s pretty hard to find yourself stuck in a training rut while training for a triathlon.  And although I give my speed demon friends a hard time about “real” endurance, just being around people with the same passion for triathlon is very motivational and a big part of what I get out of my membership with the P.T.C.

I am honored to serve as the clubs vice-president.  My personal mission in this position is really pretty simple and that is to maximize the value our members get in return for their dues and exceed the expectations our sponsors have for their investment in our club.  If you are new to the sport, looking for a club to join or just looking for a group to train with, this club has it all, sprint distance to Ironman, beginner to pro, and “speed challenged” to some of the fastest age-group triathletes on the planet.  All hopelessly addicted to the same sport.

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Mary Knott - Secretary
I took up running in 2000 after graduating from college as a way to lose weight and get in shape.  I ran my first marathon in 2003, the Walt Disney World Marathon, and was immediately hooked.  After moving to Arizona in February of 2005, I ran my 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th marathon between June and October and decided that I needed another challenge.  Dan (my significant other) and I joined the PTC, took on a master’s swimming class at our gym, and started researching bikes and wetsuits.  And when our plane landed in Phoenix, after flying back from the Chicago Marathon, I drove to the bike shop and took my sparkling new red, white, and blue Trek road bike off layaway.  My first triathlon was the SOMA Quarterman three weeks later.  I haven’t looked back since!

Over the last two years I have entered every splash n dash, sprint, and Olympic distance triathlon that I could.  I have consistently improved my performance and occasionally even win an age-group award.  After volunteering as captain of the ‘morning clothes bag’ team at Ironman Arizona 2006 I knew that Ironman was something that I wanted to do.  So I picked up a training plan and got to work.  And last April (2007) I saw my dream come true.  I crossed the line at Ironman Arizona in 12 hours, 51 minutes and 29 seconds.

What I enjoy most about the PTC is the people I’ve met and friendships made.  It’s nice to show up to a Saturday ride and have a group to challenge me during the ride and shoot the breeze with at breakfast afterwards.  And there’s always a group on the sidelines at races cheering us on.  I’m excited to be taking on the role of secretary for the Club.  I hope I can give back to the PTC as much as I have gained.
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Brian Kochert: Treasurer
I am Brian Kochert, born and raised in Tempe Arizona.  Yup, you read that right.  My athletic background for many years was the sport of basketball, but when I sprained my ankle 29,000 times and owned my own crutches it was time to give up the only thing that helped me stay in shape.  I had thought about the sport of triathlon because it sounded different...it sounded crazy.   I even went as far as to drive to Flagstaff to watch the Mountain Man Triathlon in July of 1998 and it looked fun, yet challenging.  

A year later, I donated my kidney to my mom and, after taking many months to recover, and needing a way to get back into shape, I started thinking about those triathlons.  Almost nine months later to the day of my surgery, I did my first Olympic triathlon in Rocky Point.  A month later in May of 2000 I joined the Phoenix Triathlon Club.  That, my friends was one great decision.   The knowledge and confidence I gained from being in this club has helped me achieve things that I would never have thought possible. 

I have gone on to race in more than 55 multi-sport events including; Escape from Alcatraz, Ironman AZ, Ironman Austria, Vineman 70.3, and the great Trisports Desert Classic Duathlon.  But most of all it's the friendships that I have gained through the years with the PTC.  From homestays, to training days, to race day, the friendships are the best part of the club.  I know I can count on my fellow PTC friends to give me encouragement, motivation and support.  You can say that I backed into this crazy sport of triathlon but I know that I would not have done all this if it wasn't for the great support from my family and friends.  They are the ones cheering on all the red jerseys to the finish line.  I am happy to be a team leader and the Treasurer of the PTC and will continue what others before me have done. 
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John Sellinger - Activities Director

7 years ago, my phone rang. "Hey, I am going to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October. You should do it with me." I told my Dad that 4 months wasn't enough time to train for a marathon, then I put my head down and started running. I didn't know a thing about running but was determined to get it right. Though he didn't run the whole marathon with me he was there to get me through the last 6 miles. At the time, I told myself that they were the last miles I would ever run in a marathon. I have run 12 marathons since that day.

One thing led to another and I started riding a bike. Next thing I knew I was signed up for a triathlon, then another, then 2 half-iron distance races in the same weekend. I have completed 3 Iron-distance races and have another on the way, I have found my passion.

As the activities director, I look to help new, existing and potential members become comfortable with the sport as a whole and achieve the goals they have set for themselves. I look to continually provide an opportunity for all to push themselves and grow within the sport. I strive to carry on the traditions of the PTC and open the club to new avenues for growth. My goal for the 2007 calendar year is to grow the number of ride leads and workout offerings available every weekend to ensure that the new triathlete as well as the seasoned veteran are challenged every time they attend a PTC event.

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Judy Kamela - Marketing/Clothing Director
I stumbled across the PTC by accident in Sept 2004. I was picking up a race packet for the Fat Tire Triathlon (the 2nd triathlon I’d ever done in my life) and they had a booth there. I talked to a few people and signed up on site. I had been bit by the triathlon bug the year before when I completed my 1st Sprint race and felt like a rockstar because I could officially say I was a “triathlete”. Little did I know about the world that was about to open up for me….

Until then I had been training alone since my friends all thought I was nuts to get up at 5:30 am on weekends and want to bike / run. I had no athletic background of any significance. A little gymnastics, modern dance and some 5k’s was all I could brag about in the past. I was a gym rat & aerobics queen for most of my 20’s & 30’s. I had gotten it into my head to want to train for a marathon & got injured pretty quickly during training. I made classic rookie mistakes. A friend suggested cross training and why not try a Tri ? I knew I wouldn’t drown since I grew up 2 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in NJ and spent many a summer body surfing. I had no clue how to swim competitively but got a few quick lessons and was on my way.

The progress I’ve made since joining the PTC is astounding. You get what you give and I’ve been fortunate to get incredible encouragement and phenomenal support for all my efforts, be they big or small. My cycling and running have improved to the point where I’ve been lucky enough to get on the podium for my age group in several races. I never could have done it without the guidance and expertise of so many athletes that I’ve had the pleasure of training with and who I now call friends.

I started to lead rides / runs because I believe in giving back. I help promote the PTC because I want new people to feel comfortable and know that they have a place here even if they aren’t a top performing athlete. It’s a pursuit of self-improvement and it’s not about the destination….it’s about the journey.

Stay healthy, train well, and above all…keep smiling !

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Pat Moty - Juniors Program Director
My love for training and competing in endurance sports started over 33 years ago where I was inspired by the encouraging support from one of my Junior High School teachers. Even at the age of 13, I felt that I needed more than just running. With this in mind, I competed in track & field events commonly dominated by larger individuals, while also breaking and setting records as a distance runner and a triple jumper. This eventually led to a college scholarship offer.

After moving to Ohio for my first job, post college, I found a triathlon shop while looking for a running club. It seemed like the perfect mix of endurance sports containing an element of risk and technical prowess, all requiring a level of commitment that not everyone could handle. I went right out and purchased a triathlon book, began teaching myself how to swim at the local YMCA, traded in my Schwinn clunker for a sleek Trek and signed up for my first Triathlon. Immediately after that first triathlon, even though I had raced every distance between 200 to marathon, running had become just a workout for the bigger challenge, the Bud Lite Triathlon series.

After competing in triathlons for over 12 years, I began sharing my pass-time with my three children by coaching them through their first race 11 years ago. Since then, my wife, Jane has gone from support crew and equipment manager, to accomplished marathoner, triathlete and soon to be Ironman finisher. The kids have become veterans of the sport competing in national championships, attending the Junior Athlete Developmental Camp at the Olympic Training Center, and competing in races with national and Olympic champions.

Most recently, I have assumed a new role requiring a shift from participant to supporter and coach, due to an injury after my last Ironman in 2005. This bittersweet situation has allowed me to focus on working with a few gifted and motivated young adults, realizing the joy of seeing them succeed. In the coming year, I look forward to helping our four Junior Elite Triathletes and their club counterparts, attain their goals through an enjoyable, friendly and safe venue as the Director of the Phoenix Triathlon Club Junior’s program.
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Shayna Barnes - Tri-Kids Program Director
Who knew you could take the love of working with kids, sports training, and socializing and make it into a board position?   With a teaching background, four ‘built-in’ Tri-Kids, and a bike shop, helping to build the Tri-Kids’ program seemed a natural progression.  When our store was selected to sponsor the Phoenix Triathlon Club,

I had no idea what a positive impact our affiliation would have on our business and our family.  Working with Phoenix Tri-Kids allows me to give a little back and keeps me inspired to improve my own triathlon skills.



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Sue Shafer: Supported Team 
I have been consistently competing in triathlons since 1985.  I had no athletic background.  I had been running road races for six years and then I decided to give triathlons a try.  I was immediately hooked like most of us. 

I do not know exactly how many years I have been a PTC member but I would guess that it is pretty close to the number of years the club has been around.

The triathlon community back in the 80s was fairly small and everyone knew each other.  I guess you would say we were a pseudo club.  As the sport has taken off in popularity and more and more people are coming into the sport  the need for triathlon clubs has become more important.  It helps with training, knowledge of the sport and friendships.

I have met friends from the sport all over the country and have maintained those friendships for 20 years.  We may not still all be in triathlons now but that common bond that originally brought us together is still here.  

I have read the expectations of the Supported Team member and I feel that I can fulfill them without any problem.   I have been volunteering as a ride/run leader for the past year to meet more members and have enjoyed the workouts. The only concern that I have is that my Mother stills depends on me for help but I am able to share that with my sister so I do not see that interfering at this time. 

Next year I hope to do the following races & maybe more
Desert Duathlon
AZ Ironman or South Africa Ironman  ( I have a friend trying to get me comped into South Africa; if I do not get comped I will do AZ since I have paid for that one)
Deuces Wild as long as it does not conflict with Blackwater
Blackwater Eagleman in Cambridge, MD  in June 2007
Nationals in Portland, Oregon at the end of June 2007
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Rebecca Tschider: Supported Team

A little about me… beyond I am an engineer and writing is not my strong point :-). (Okay, I have an engineering degree, but am really a manager of a software organization at Intel…) I will start with where I came from and work forward. I am from Bismarck, ND as many find interesting when I am the one who shows up with piles of clothing on for any ride that is less than 70 degrees. My athletic background prior to Triathlon is very little and only about 1 year deep. I grew up riding and showing horses, which is where I got my first taste of competition. Even then I liked variety though as I rode dressage, jumped, as well as rode western. It was not until I moved to Arizona after college and married my husband Jeff that I discovered the athlete in me.

I started mountain biking 5-6 years ago as my husband needed company. That led to mountain bike racing. I also started to run about that same time to keep my husband and our Alaskan Malamute ‘Nanuk’ company –okay I really did not want to be left out. From there came a half marathon and a push into the pool where I was told I needed to relearn how to swim like a fish. That of course led to the first triathlon about 4 years ago. 

For the first couple of years I raced mainly sprints with 1-2 Olympics. 2 years ago I discovered the joys of Xterra. There I could combine my enjoyment of mountain bike racing and trail running with my enjoyment of triathlon. Last year I focused on Xterra with the highlight being qualification for and a trip to Nationals in Tahoe. I also completed my first half ironman at SOMA last year. This year I plan to focus on Xterra with a very long stretch goal of qualifying for Worlds in Hawaii. I also plan to work on my speed in the Olympic triathlons and am trying to decide on another half (after having good time in last year’s). 

I have been a member of Phoenix Triathlon club for several years and am very proud to represent them as a member of the supported team. Triathlon for me is about the people, the learning, and the challenge. Phoenix Triathlon club has been all three for me: A means to meet others with the same interest, great support and belief that I could make my goals come true, as well as the sense of accomplishment when I meet my goals.
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Tony Chan: Supported Team
I’m originally from California and came to Arizona to start my career. I spent a little time in Austin, Texas, but switched companies which brought me back to Arizona. I’ve been a member of the club for about four years and a supported member for two seasons.

I started doing triathlons in the early 1980’s. I was mostly running at the time and did a lot of 10ks’ and marathons. I come from a high school/college swimming background and picked up running in my late twenties. I was fortunate to have successful coaches that specialized in their respective sports. Proper stroke/running technique for that time frame was emphasized. Now there are so many schools of thought about the best technique. I feel that you need to pick what bests suits you. If something doesn’t work after you’ve given it some time, try something else.

My last two seasons have been pretty good. I’ve raced sprint, international and half/full Ironman distances. I plan to add more x-terra races to my calendar. I definitely plan on doing the majority of the club races this next season. My goal for this coming season is to turn my running around. Maintain the cycling and put more time into the run training. I hope I inspire younger members of the club to try and beat me. I know they give me the drive to keep moving, which leads me to try new things. Racing doesn’t get any easier with age unless you have an Eveready bunny rabbit in your genes.
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Joe Gervais - Supported Team
I’ve been restless for the starting gun since my earliest days, part sled dog in my genes. I began racing at the age of 5 both in my local swim league and on the ski teams around Lake Tahoe. In the 8th grade I added cross-country/track to the mix and in college began racing road- and mountain bikes. My first taste of distance competition came at the age of 14 when, on a whim, I signed up for an 18-mile mountain run and suffered like I never had before. I won the 19-and-under division that day and realized I was hooked on endurance events. That feeling of digging deeper and deeper, finding your limits, pushing past them, and surprising yourself with what you are capable of makes life all the more worth living.

In the early 1980s I saw news coverage of Ironman in Kona and became completely enchanted with the event. I swore to myself I'd race there someday. Triathlon should have been an obvious next step back then but somehow the years flew by and, while many other goals were accomplished, Kona still quietly beckoned. Finally two years ago I realized I couldn't wait anymore. I signed up for my first Ironman. It was also my first triathlon. Being a single father of four, working a demanding career and squeezing in Ironman training left me in a bit of a blur but life is short, carpe diem. Road bike (no aerobars) and all, I limped across the line at 13:01. I had trained on my own and it showed, but I was now completely hooked.

It was clear to me that if I wanted to be my best I needed the advice, support and encouragement of my friends in the PTC. Everyone was eager to help and 12 months later I crossed that same finish line at 10:34, carving off 2.5 hours and missing Kona by 8 places. Without the knowledge and inspiration of my fellow PTC’ers I'd have never been able to get there. I now strive to give that same encouragement and mentorship back to the club. In 2008 I will make another push for Kona, proudly flying PTC colors all the way, knowing full well that without the PTC I wouldn’t be where I am today.
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I am currently in my second season of training and racing in triathlon and mountain biking. In my first year, I raced in six mountain bike races and three off-road triathlons, two of which were part of the Xterra series.  I caught the bug.  On a vacation in October of 2006, I started planning my race schedule for the following year.  The schedule consisted of thirteen races in total, with the focus on the Xterra races.

My second year has been a whirlwind and has brought much success.  I set out with a goal of finishing top five in my age-group in regional races and top ten in championship races with hopes of qualifying for the Xterra USA Nationals.  In my second Xterra race of the year (Southwest Championships), I qualified for Worlds based on my results.  I was thrilled but wondered if this was truly a measure of my ability or if others in my age-group simply had a poor race.  Two weeks later, I placed 3^rd overall and first in my age-group at the deuces wild Xterra, following somewhat closely behind an Xterra pro.  It was not until I finished 3^rd in my age-group in the Xterra East Championship (Richmond, VA) that I felt confirmation that I had risen to a very competitive level amongst the Xterra amateurs.  As I look at my race results, thus far, I’ve been on the podium ten times out of eleven races, taking first place four of those times.

As I look at next year, I feel very confident that there’s room for even more improvement and more success.  Again, I’ll make the Xterra season the main focus of the year.  For the mountain bike races, I plan on moving up to the Expert category.  I also plan to add some road triathlon racing to my schedule. Over the last year, I had a job that kept me traveling every week.  This is no longer the case.  This will allow me to do a few things that should help to improve my performance.  Attending masters swim sessions, more consistent training, and having the time to become more involved in clubs (PTC) and organizations surrounding biking and triathlon are all things that should lead to even better performances next year.

My athletic background prior to Triathlon includes playing and coaching NCAA collegiate lacrosse, running cross-country and swimming.  I have one extremely supportive wife and a dog who doesn’t care what I do as long as he gets food and water. 
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