Austin Triathlon Club 2020 Board of Directors
Andrea Fisher, President president@austintriclub.org
Andrea has been a life-long athlete, participating in dozens of sports. However, at a young age it was apparent that she was a "fish" in the water, qualifying for USS Nationals at the age of 12 and ultimately posting two high school national swim records at age 17. She was fortunate enough to finish out her remaining swimming career at the University of Texas, where she was a NCAA Div 1 National Champion, multiple All American and member of the US National Swim Team.
After graduating from the UT, Andrea went on to work for Speedo America where she discovered the incredible sport of triathlon. She was hooked and by her second summer in the sport qualified for the Ironman World Championship, where she finished 11th overall as an amateur athlete. At age 24 Andrea made the decision to pursue the new passion, packed up her bags, put her personal training business on hold to turn professional.
Andrea’s longevity within the sport of triathlon is rare, but her accolades during her professional career are abundant. She holds multiple Ironman swim course records, a record number of top 5 finishes, posted the year's fastest half-ironman time at the Eagleman Half IM (IM Kona qualifier), and dominated the USAT Southwest Regional multi-sport races for years. Andrea raced professionally for close to 16 years, which speaks volumes with regard to her physical and mental fortitude.
Andrea now works full time focused in the non-profit sector of the community, is a mom for two wonderful young girls, volunteers within her community and still manages to race as an age group athlete at an international level. She is still winning at various events, including ultra-runs, road cycling, road running and currently holds a world record for the masters women's beer mile. She has qualified and competed at Ironman Hawaii twice since having her children, and both times were one-year post birth of each daughter. Andrea ranked #1 on the 40–44 USAT age group rankings both of the years she qualified and raced at Kona since becoming an age group athlete.
In her spare time, Andrea enjoys camping, hiking, landscaping, cooking, movies, random road trips and of course spending as much time as she can with her awesome daughters. There's not a day that goes by where she doesn't "try something new"!
After graduating from the UT, Andrea went on to work for Speedo America where she discovered the incredible sport of triathlon. She was hooked and by her second summer in the sport qualified for the Ironman World Championship, where she finished 11th overall as an amateur athlete. At age 24 Andrea made the decision to pursue the new passion, packed up her bags, put her personal training business on hold to turn professional.
Andrea’s longevity within the sport of triathlon is rare, but her accolades during her professional career are abundant. She holds multiple Ironman swim course records, a record number of top 5 finishes, posted the year's fastest half-ironman time at the Eagleman Half IM (IM Kona qualifier), and dominated the USAT Southwest Regional multi-sport races for years. Andrea raced professionally for close to 16 years, which speaks volumes with regard to her physical and mental fortitude.
Andrea now works full time focused in the non-profit sector of the community, is a mom for two wonderful young girls, volunteers within her community and still manages to race as an age group athlete at an international level. She is still winning at various events, including ultra-runs, road cycling, road running and currently holds a world record for the masters women's beer mile. She has qualified and competed at Ironman Hawaii twice since having her children, and both times were one-year post birth of each daughter. Andrea ranked #1 on the 40–44 USAT age group rankings both of the years she qualified and raced at Kona since becoming an age group athlete.
In her spare time, Andrea enjoys camping, hiking, landscaping, cooking, movies, random road trips and of course spending as much time as she can with her awesome daughters. There's not a day that goes by where she doesn't "try something new"!
Anna Culina, Vice President vp@austintriclub.org
From figure skating to downhill skiing, Anna has always been involved with some sort of challenging sport. A triathlon was always a bucket list item, but didn’t come to fruition until the spring of 2017. After a bit of research, she signed up for the Xterra ATX race at Pace Bend Park. It was a challenging and slow race, but she signed up for another Xterra race. In July, she bought a used triathlon bike and decided to give road triathlon a whirl. Two weeks later, she raced at Jack’s Generic Triathlon, then two months later the Austin 70.3. Through the Austin Tri Club, she has met a lot of amazing athletes and stayed involved with the sport. After completing many 70.3’s, sprints, olys and a full Ironman, Anna continues to be challenged by the sport of triathlon. She enjoys helping others and supporting the tri community.
Don Nolting, Secretary secretary@austintriclub.org
Don has attempted to be an athlete all his life. He was a 3-sport athlete in high school playing football, basketball, and baseball. A left ACL injury as a high school freshman followed by another left ACL surgery the following year caused a lot of issues with staying fit. After high school, Don played two seasons of Division 3 football and messed up his right knee (3rd knee surgery) and neck. After that, it was goodbye to football. Since then, Don has been up and down with his weight, causing other health issues.
After being in Nashville for 10 years, Don moved to Austin in 2015. A few years before moving he was able to lose over 100 pounds, but moving to Austin caused the old knee problems to resurface and he had to go in for knee surgeries 4 and 5 in October 2015.
Struggling to get back into shape and lose the pounds that crept back on he turned to triathlon or more specific aquabike, since his doctors strongly suggested he never run again. Don did his first triathlon (with running) in May 2016 at the Rookie. He didn't even own a bike (hybrid) until a month before the race. Since then he has done only aquabike events.
Don looks forward to working with the Austin Triathlon Club to help others realize they can do a tri or aquabike with a little patience and encouragement.
After being in Nashville for 10 years, Don moved to Austin in 2015. A few years before moving he was able to lose over 100 pounds, but moving to Austin caused the old knee problems to resurface and he had to go in for knee surgeries 4 and 5 in October 2015.
Struggling to get back into shape and lose the pounds that crept back on he turned to triathlon or more specific aquabike, since his doctors strongly suggested he never run again. Don did his first triathlon (with running) in May 2016 at the Rookie. He didn't even own a bike (hybrid) until a month before the race. Since then he has done only aquabike events.
Don looks forward to working with the Austin Triathlon Club to help others realize they can do a tri or aquabike with a little patience and encouragement.
Matthew Weigel, Treasurer treasurer@austintriclub.org
Matthew was never particularly active, but finally got the motivation to commute by bike in 2014. That year he had a lot of fun, and beyond biking to work got involved in charity rides and ran his first 5K. With some friends who had gotten into triathlon a few years prior, he started swimming in the winter of 2014, and did The Rookie Tri as his first multisport race in 2015. Beginning that year he has competed in 5-6 triathlons a year, mostly sprints, and a total of 6 Ironman 70.3 events.
His first interest in endurance sports is just maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but the community around events and the ability to support other people on their journeys has kept him coming back.
His first interest in endurance sports is just maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but the community around events and the ability to support other people on their journeys has kept him coming back.
Christopher Stewart Mickler, Clinics and Workouts Director workouts@austintriclub.org
“Ever since Memorial Day In 2012, when I happened across the Captex tri with the Para-triathlete National Championships, I was hooked on the sport of triathlon. To think that I told myself that I couldn't swim, and there were people with their various disabilities racing: I had no reason left, just the will to try.
Since watching those athletes, I have quit a 20 year smoking habit and competed in many triathlon distances a year. I have run 5 half-marathons, 4 marathons including NYC, 6 Ironman 70.3s, and 3 full Ironmans.
Since 2012, I have found myself part of various triathlon groups all with great benefits, all of which I have learned so much from, and have made so many great friends that are like-minded.
Since watching those athletes, I have quit a 20 year smoking habit and competed in many triathlon distances a year. I have run 5 half-marathons, 4 marathons including NYC, 6 Ironman 70.3s, and 3 full Ironmans.
Since 2012, I have found myself part of various triathlon groups all with great benefits, all of which I have learned so much from, and have made so many great friends that are like-minded.
PJ Thompson, Social Events Director social@austintriclub.org
First Triathlon: Rookie Tri 2018
What I like most: Coming out of T2 for the run
My start: After running seven full marathons I wanted a challenge that would be a total out of body experience and uncharacteristic for me. That's where triathlon came in given my inexperience swimming. I wanted a goal that quite literally scared the you know what out of me. I completed a six week stroke clinic at the YMCA with now president, Andrea Fisher, then signing up for my first triathlon, the Rookie triathlon in 2018. I proceeded to sign up for Ironman Waco 2018. When Joining local clubs and attending clinics I came to realize how welcoming the Austin, TX multi-sport community is regardless of your experience and I want to help continue that trend toward bringing in new members.
What I like most: Coming out of T2 for the run
My start: After running seven full marathons I wanted a challenge that would be a total out of body experience and uncharacteristic for me. That's where triathlon came in given my inexperience swimming. I wanted a goal that quite literally scared the you know what out of me. I completed a six week stroke clinic at the YMCA with now president, Andrea Fisher, then signing up for my first triathlon, the Rookie triathlon in 2018. I proceeded to sign up for Ironman Waco 2018. When Joining local clubs and attending clinics I came to realize how welcoming the Austin, TX multi-sport community is regardless of your experience and I want to help continue that trend toward bringing in new members.
Michelle Stickler, IT Director IT@austintriclub.org
Michelle started running at the age of 37 when a good friend suggested a half marathon as a way to spend a girls’ weekend away. The friend ended up getting knee surgery, but Michelle ran the half anyway. Little did she know, this jump start into running would be a life changing event leading to a new perspective on exercise, health, and fun! Since that first race, Michelle ran several marathons and during the training met some really awesome triathletes who inspired her to branch out. She completed her first sprint tri in 2013, getting a flat tire during the bike and not really knowing how to change it. Fortunately, another racer stopped to help, just proving how friendly the tri community can be. Michelle has met some of her closest friends through triathlon. Over the past 7 years, Michelle has completed numerous triathlons, including 2 Ironman races.
In early 2018 Michelle moved to Austin for work and sought out the tri community as a way to connect with new faces. Since joining the Austin Tri Club, Michelle has made some great new friends and looks forward to meeting many more.
In early 2018 Michelle moved to Austin for work and sought out the tri community as a way to connect with new faces. Since joining the Austin Tri Club, Michelle has made some great new friends and looks forward to meeting many more.
Joy Marpa, Volunteer Director volunteer@austintriclub.org
When Joy moved to Austin from the Philippines in January 2017, she weighed 175lbs. At a turning point in her life, she found triathlon, as a way to improve her lifestyle and the supportive people in the Austin Tri Club, who made the transition to the sport, a breeze. Wanting to give back, Joy became one of the ambassadors for the Austin Tri Club's pioneer New Triathlete Program in 2019. Representing the club in races and assisting the new triathletes made her even more passionate for the sport.
She just completed her first 70.3, and is working on improving her time while doing trail races on the side. Overall, her focus is on enjoying the tri season while sharing her joy for the sport.
She just completed her first 70.3, and is working on improving her time while doing trail races on the side. Overall, her focus is on enjoying the tri season while sharing her joy for the sport.
Carrie Barrett, New Triathlete Program Director ntp@austintriclub.org
Carrie is a self-proclaimed reluctant triathlete. She completed her first triathlon, The Danskin Tri, in 2002, on a complete whim and it should come as no surprise that her results reflected this. Still, though, when you invest a few thousand dollars on an unknown sport, what do you do? You sign up for more races, of course!
Early reticence and fears gave way to inevitable acceptance and, since 2010, Barrett has made her mark as a multisport coach (FOMO Training, Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy), speaker, and freelance writer for Austin Fit Magazine, Ironman.com, Active.com, and more. She hosts and produces her own podcast, “I Could Never Do That,” in addition to producing the weekly Purple Patch Podcast hosted by elite triathlon coach, Matt Dixon, where she is also on staff as their Community Athlete Manager.
That initial investment in the sport of triathlon may not have provided a huge monetary return (ha ha), but the true ROI of triathlon has been invaluable in terms of experience, friendships, self-confidence, resilience, coaching opportunities, mentorships, and more.
Every day, I wake up and talk to people around the world about swimming, biking and running. It is a privilege to work in a sport that has given me so much joy and I look so forward to representing the Austin Triathlon Club this year at races, clinics and live events.
Early reticence and fears gave way to inevitable acceptance and, since 2010, Barrett has made her mark as a multisport coach (FOMO Training, Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy), speaker, and freelance writer for Austin Fit Magazine, Ironman.com, Active.com, and more. She hosts and produces her own podcast, “I Could Never Do That,” in addition to producing the weekly Purple Patch Podcast hosted by elite triathlon coach, Matt Dixon, where she is also on staff as their Community Athlete Manager.
That initial investment in the sport of triathlon may not have provided a huge monetary return (ha ha), but the true ROI of triathlon has been invaluable in terms of experience, friendships, self-confidence, resilience, coaching opportunities, mentorships, and more.
Every day, I wake up and talk to people around the world about swimming, biking and running. It is a privilege to work in a sport that has given me so much joy and I look so forward to representing the Austin Triathlon Club this year at races, clinics and live events.
Craig Kuglen, Member at Large craig@austintriclub.org
Totally “on a lark” Craig did his first triathlon, the third in Texas, in 1981. That led to learning how to really swim, run and bike. That led to qualifying for a national championship in 1986 and a world championship in 1993. Thirty-eight years in the sport involved travels all over the world, meeting wonderful people, helping to put on races, and doing a bit of coaching.
