Austin Triathlon Club 2022 Board of Directors
Christopher Stewart Mickler, President [email protected]
Ever since Memorial Day In 2012, when I happened across the Captex triathlon 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 half-marathons, marathons including NYC, and qualified and got into Boston ( though was unable to race due to the Covid years), several Ironman 70.3s, and 6 Ironmans, including the one and done Alaska.
Since 2012, I have found myself part of various triathlon groups all with great benefits, of which I have learned so much from, and have made so many great friends that are like-minded. Now I get to give back to that same community.
Being a part of a bigger community, and enjoying the company of that community, I am now honored to help it grow.
Since watching those athletes, I have quit a 20 year smoking habit and competed in many triathlon distances a year. I have run half-marathons, marathons including NYC, and qualified and got into Boston ( though was unable to race due to the Covid years), several Ironman 70.3s, and 6 Ironmans, including the one and done Alaska.
Since 2012, I have found myself part of various triathlon groups all with great benefits, of which I have learned so much from, and have made so many great friends that are like-minded. Now I get to give back to that same community.
Being a part of a bigger community, and enjoying the company of that community, I am now honored to help it grow.
Andrea Fisher, Vice President [email protected]
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 as the Operations Director for Austin Runners Club, is a mom to four wonderful young girls, volunteers within her community and continues to race as an age group athlete at an international level. She is still managing to win at various events, including ultra-runs, road cycling, road running and currently holds a world record for the masters women's beer mile. This year, as a 50 year old age group mom, she'll be racing at the Boston Marathon April 2022 for the first time....and the IM World Championship, Kona Hawaii in October 2022 for the last time. Her farewell IM race in Kona will be her 41st IM event and her 26th anniversary since her first time racing Kona.
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 and husband Mark.
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 as the Operations Director for Austin Runners Club, is a mom to four wonderful young girls, volunteers within her community and continues to race as an age group athlete at an international level. She is still managing to win at various events, including ultra-runs, road cycling, road running and currently holds a world record for the masters women's beer mile. This year, as a 50 year old age group mom, she'll be racing at the Boston Marathon April 2022 for the first time....and the IM World Championship, Kona Hawaii in October 2022 for the last time. Her farewell IM race in Kona will be her 41st IM event and her 26th anniversary since her first time racing Kona.
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 and husband Mark.
Amy Campbell, Secretary [email protected]
Amy Campbell participated in her first triathlon at Kerrville Tri in 2021 at the ripe age of 46. Having never participated in any kind of sport before, it was quite the adventure.
Since then, Amy has kept up the running and swimming and is willing to be part of a relay team but finds the best time as a volunteer for different running and triathlon events.
If she’s not in the Sherpa role for her husband, Jeff, she’s manning an aid station, directing athletes on course, or helping with packet pickup.
Since then, Amy has kept up the running and swimming and is willing to be part of a relay team but finds the best time as a volunteer for different running and triathlon events.
If she’s not in the Sherpa role for her husband, Jeff, she’s manning an aid station, directing athletes on course, or helping with packet pickup.
Jeff Campbell, Operations [email protected]
Jeff is relatively new to triathlon and endurance sport, starting with his first race in July, 2021. 20 races later including triathlons, running, and swimming events, and now heading towards his first 70.3 & 140.6 in 2023 while racing & raising money for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
Jeff coordinates teams at his work to participate in local running races as well, encouraging others to enjoy our city through endurance sport. Jeff is happily married to the amazing Amy Campbell.
Jeff coordinates teams at his work to participate in local running races as well, encouraging others to enjoy our city through endurance sport. Jeff is happily married to the amazing Amy Campbell.
Justin Buschman, Treasurer [email protected]
Justin did his first triathlon in 2016 after getting bored with running. After making every mistake in the book in his first race, he was determined to get better. He joined the local triathlon club and trained and learned the sport. In 2018, he qualified for Nationals in Cleveland, OH and then completed his first Ironman 70.3 in 2019.
After not racing in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic, he started back racing in 2022 and qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in St. George, UT. He still runs and also races bikes (road and gravel).
Justin loves triathlon and helping others start or improve their triathlon goals.
After not racing in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic, he started back racing in 2022 and qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in St. George, UT. He still runs and also races bikes (road and gravel).
Justin loves triathlon and helping others start or improve their triathlon goals.
Tyler Vance, Member at Large [email protected]
Tyler competed in his first sprint triathlon in 2004 while still in the Marine Corps on a borrowed bike. Despite swimming mostly the breast and side strokes, halfway through he was hooked. Upon his completion of service in the Marines, he used triathlon as a way to maintain fitness and continue to challenge himself, competing in sprint and Olympic distance races on and off for years. In 2019 as a bucket-list challenge he entered Ironman 70.3 in Waco with the intent of being “one and done” but soon realized he enjoyed the longer format. Reinvigorated, he joined the Austin Triathlon Club and has since completed multiple full distance and 70.3 distance Ironman races and had the opportunity to race in both the 2021 and 2022 IM World Championships. Along with the Austin Triathlon club he is also active in the Ironman Foundation and was recently selected as an Ironman Foundation Ambassador for the 2023 race year.
What Tyler enjoys most about triathlon are the amazing and inspiring people that he meets, who themselves are often overcoming challenges that would cause other people to give up. Though he is competitive at heart, he believes that the only real person he is racing against is himself from yesterday and if he can beat that guy then it was good race.
What Tyler enjoys most about triathlon are the amazing and inspiring people that he meets, who themselves are often overcoming challenges that would cause other people to give up. Though he is competitive at heart, he believes that the only real person he is racing against is himself from yesterday and if he can beat that guy then it was good race.
Kori Benson, Member at Large [email protected]
Kori got into triathlons after many years of competing in recreational road races. She would travel the country running in half marathons and marathons. She became a Marathon Maniac after completing two marathons in one week. After getting bored with just running she purchased her first road bike in 2016 and did her first century ride just a few months later. Not to shy away from a challenge, triathlons came next. She signed up for her first triathlon in 2018, Ironman 70.3 Texas without being able to swim a lap in the pool. After a little coaching she successfully completed that first triathlon and has completed triathlons in both the USA and Canada (soon to be Australia). When not racing on the road Kori also enjoys trail running ultramarathons in the mountains. The best vacation is when you need to plan a race around it!
Join Kori in the many social runs and rides around Austin. You don’t need to be fast but just have fun!
Join Kori in the many social runs and rides around Austin. You don’t need to be fast but just have fun!
Sheila Luedecke, Member at Large [email protected]
In her home city of Houston, Sheila began her triathlon journey in 2014, diving headfirst into the world of endurance sports. She has completed numerous events across all distances from sprints to Ironman Texas 2021. Sheila has also participated in road running and trail races from 5K to 13.1 half-marathons.
Having served on the Board of the Houston Racing Triathlon Club and a part of Team, Stages, Sheila's move to Round Rock in 2020 during the pandemic didn't dampen her passion for the sport. Seeking to foster a supportive environment for athletes of all abilities, Sheila attained the USAT Cert Official Level 1 certification, with plans to further her education in triathlon programming.
Beyond her triathlon pursuits, Sheila is a marketer at her firm, 31 Strive Street. In 2023, she tied the knot with Harper Luedecke, forming a blended family of three adult children and one grandchild. Together, they savor life through camping adventures, music festivals, paddle boarding, and the unique art of making mead.
Catch Sheila and Harper leading the ATC northside members at the Kenney Fort Pub in Round Rock every Wednesday at 6:30 pm for a group run. Aside from club events, you can also connect with Sheila directly via email at [email protected], Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
Joy Mitchell, Member at Large [email protected]
I have been a lifelong athlete playing both soccer and tennis at the D3 collegiate level and swimming during high school.
Upon moving to Austin, I discovered a love for cycling. Looking for a new challenge, I did my first sprint tri, the Rookie, in 2017. Triathlon took a backseat until covid, when I knew I needed goals to keep myself, and Penny, from going crazy while at home.
After doing my first quarter tri at Kerville in 2021, I really was hooked on both the sport and the community. A couple more quarter distances under my belt, I’m looking to tackle Waco 70.3 in 2024.
Upon moving to Austin, I discovered a love for cycling. Looking for a new challenge, I did my first sprint tri, the Rookie, in 2017. Triathlon took a backseat until covid, when I knew I needed goals to keep myself, and Penny, from going crazy while at home.
After doing my first quarter tri at Kerville in 2021, I really was hooked on both the sport and the community. A couple more quarter distances under my belt, I’m looking to tackle Waco 70.3 in 2024.
Brian Kirby, Member at Large [email protected]
Brian Kirby “Kirby” was born in Ohio and during his time on the Cuyahoga Falls High School cross country team, he fell in love with running. As an adult he has moved several times for work, but through all the moving, running and his family have been his constants. Kirby has completed numerous 5 and 10Ks, eight marathons, two 70.3 and finally completed his dream in 2022 with Ironman Florida 140.6.
Though born in the north, Kirby has become soft thanks to the Texas heat and is likely to look more like Ralphie from A Christmas Story than most when the temps drop below freezing. He loves the sense of community the Austin Triathlon Club brings and looks forward to paying it forward as a board member. So, strap on your sneakers and come join the group for a run; Kirby will bring the tunes.
Though born in the north, Kirby has become soft thanks to the Texas heat and is likely to look more like Ralphie from A Christmas Story than most when the temps drop below freezing. He loves the sense of community the Austin Triathlon Club brings and looks forward to paying it forward as a board member. So, strap on your sneakers and come join the group for a run; Kirby will bring the tunes.
