- Sponsor Partners -
Team FeXY Board of Directors
The Team FeXY board is a group of active Team members, whose purpose is to assist in fulfilling the mission and objectives of the Team.
The board is also responsible for the general supervision of the affairs of the Team.
To view the organizational structure of the FeXY Board, in PDF format, click on the image below:
| President: Scott Baldwin | |
I was a cross-country and track runner during my four years of high school. Freshman year
of college, I walked on to the Division I Northeastern University track team and ran the
400m hurdles for NU for two years. I recognized that I was only an average athlete, and
thus spent the next 10 years focusing my efforts on family and education. I went on to earn
a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, I had three kids, and I got
terribly out of shape – packing on 25 pounds.
On a business trip to Hawaii one year, I had the opportunity to witness Ironman Hawaii and decided that I wanted to participate in that race some day. One major hurdle: I didn't know how to swim. I spent the next eight years trying to earn my "golden-ticket" to the big dance. In 2008, I had my big breakthrough and qualified for Kona at Ironman Lake Placid by placing second in the M40-44 division, despite monsoon-like conditions. I attribute my success at that race to knowing the course really well (4th time racing at Lake Placid and failing miserably twice), endless running in the winter, tons of volume on the bike through the spring and early summer, and continual integration of mental toughness. I also credit my success to friends and family. They drag me out of the house on cold mornings, push me harder than I would push myself, and they encourage me when times get tough. I want to create the same training environment and camaraderie through Team FeXY – a formal team that trains, races, and socializes together. My goal is to build a group of people from all over the US - of all experience levels, backgrounds & abilities - who are passionate about what they do and who want to be part of a group with common interests and goals. Members of Team FeXY will be able to train and race endurance sports to the best of their ability. 2013 will be another big year for Team FeXY as we expand beyond the DC Area and LA Area groups to other regions of the US, as well as for me while I make another push for Kona. Some of my other near terms goals include retiring from the rat race of the corporate world and becoming a teacher either at the high school or college level and start a coaching business. I'd like to extend the FeXY beyond the Team to coaching, racing and other FeXY products. |
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| Vice-President: Michelle McKenna | |
I started swimming when I was 5 years old when my Mom wouldn't let me go home until I swam a width
of the pool. By the next year I was on swim team, and by age 7 I started swimming year-round,
finishing out my swimming career at the United States Naval Academy. I quit swimming my Senior year
at Navy and re-focused all that energy into my Military duties.
After graduation I worked as a Surface Warfare Officer, spending 4 years in San Diego, and then gave time back to my school as a Company Officer at USNA. Triathlon always looked "interesting" but I didn't think I could run ever since I fell off a wall and broke my leg in Marine training when I was 19. The next time I got in the pool (other than my twice-yearly Physical Readiness Test) was to train for my first triathlon in early 2006, a few years after I got out of the Navy. My first race was the Luray sprint and I was hooked! I completed my first half-Iron a few short months later, and then my first IM at IMLP in 2007. I am so happy that I found triathlon and re-found sport. I enjoy the competitive outlet that was dormant during my 20s and am extremely appreciative of the friends that I have met along the way. This sport is more about the people you meet and the relationships. I am excited for 2012 and getting to train more with Team FeXY! |
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| Treasurer: Christina Tragle | |
I've never really played an organized sport. I dabbled some in gymnastics as a child which turned into
cheerleading when I was in high school. That was pretty much the extent of my "athletics". I actually remember being very worried
about passing the 1 mile run test in high school.
Starting in college, I jogged a bit here and there and always maintained a decent level of fitness.
Years later in 2009 and 8 days after having my second child, my husband signed me up for a triathlon. I didn't own a bike and didn't know how to swim. Preparing for the triathlon helped me get in shape after the baby and made me realize what a gift it was that I was able to do these things with my body. Triathlon helps me feel strong and healthy and most importantly gives me energy to stay home with my two young boys. Compared to the field, I'm a mediocre triathlete. But training and setting personal goals for each race keeps me motivated and confident. Since my first triathlon, I've completed some half marathons, a marathon, many short-distance triathlons and a half ironman. For me, triathlon has become an analogy of life � each time I finish a race, I think "if I can do that, I can do more. And maybe I can do anything if I set my mind to it." I want others to believe that about themselves too. I feel so thankful to train and race and inspired by the talented athletes on our team. With my background as a CPA and in corporate accounting, I am happy to give back to Team FeXY as the Treasurer. |
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| Secretary: Kristin Wedemeyer | |
I grew up swimming since before I can remember. I was involved with team sports, but was drawn to swimming and soccer through high school.
I fell out of anything really athletic through college until my husband, Brad, and I signed up for a super sprint in 2004. After buying a
bike and throwing some resemblance of training together, I finished my first triathlon and was hooked.
In 2005, I travelled to Wisconsin to support Brad and some friends doing Ironman Wisconsin. Before getting out there, I thought anyone attempting an Ironman was completely insane! Once seeing the atmosphere and athletes, I was so inspired I came home to sign up for Ironman Lake Placid and haven�t looked back. I enjoy racing all distances and those that know me, know I am a sucker for peer pressure when it comes to signing up for races – the crazier the better. I joined Team FeXY in 2009 in hopes of finding a group of people to train and race with. I have found a unique group of individuals who are passionate about not only triathlon, but also supporting each other helping each other improve. I have created amazing friendships and continue to have teammates push me beyond what I thought was possible. I am excited to give back and bring my dedication, organization and leadership to the Board and the Team. |
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| Team Publisher: Dave Tipler | |
Since before I was a teenager, I was interested in participating in sports. In those days it was
soccer, rugby, athletics and cross-country. Then by the time I was into my 20s, my focal
sport was Marathons. Unfortunately I then got distracted with work, stopped racing, and ran much shorter
distances.
In 2003, a colleague enticed me to try doing a Triathlon. My first race was a Sprint in 2004. Later that year I did the Reston Triathlon. My race time was 2hrs 52 minutes, with a blazing time of just under 39 minutes for the swimming. I am happy to say that my time has significantly improved since that time. This, to me, is what this sport is all about; doing your best. I met Scott Baldwin at the Kinetic Sprint, May 2009. After chatting to him about FeXY, I really liked the Team Mission, Vision and Objectives. So, having previously met a number of other Team FeXY members, I asked to join. As a member of Team FeXY I had the ability to train with experienced triathletes; thus improving my skills and knowledge in the sport. To me, a key aspect of life is about making the best of anything you do. As a member of Team FeXY, I am now able to give assistance to others and be a part of something greater than I could do on my own. While my key responsibility is Team Publisher, I also remain involved in other facets on the team. It is really great to work and train with such a dynamic and focused Team. |
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| Racing Director: Melanie Yu | |
I have always enjoyed exploring the outdoors including hiking, camping and visitng many national parks. At the age of 6, I joined
summer swim team and continued to swim every summer through high school. In high school, I joined the swimming and track teams, and
enjoyed the variety of participating in a different sport each season. College brought about a big focus on academics for me, the
swimming dropped off, but I continued to run just enough to keep some level of fitness.
I started working at the patent office in 2004, which required hours of sitting at a desk in a windowless office, I missed being outside. In 2006 my Aunt Lisa, who had completed a few triathlons and a marathon, suggested I try triathlons to break up the monotony. I bought a bike and did 2 sprint triathlons that year with practically zero bike training. I also completed my first real endurance event that year, a marathon. I loved the variety of training for triathlons and especially having a way to enjoy the outdoors once again. I spent a lot of time training and racing on my own, and in 2010, I joined Team FeXY. The great friendship and support I have found in Team FeXY has made a sport that I love, even better. I look forward to giving back to the team by being part of the board and some great team races in 2013! |
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| Sponsorship Director: Xavier Passy | |
I have always been actively involved in sports. Growing up in the French Alps, I skied competitively through my teenage years.
Off-season training was filled with rides through the Alps, competitive tennis, and windsurfing. Throughout the years, I kept on cycling and
running to maintain my physical condition.
The next natural evolution was to enter and compete in the world of triathlon. I spent the first year training and going to races by myself. I realized a number of clubs and teams were out there. I started to do some research and quickly narrowed my interest to Team FeXY. The Team's mission is simple. It reflects a deep interest in the sport, focusing on promoting it while contributing to the local community, and developing the athletic abilities of its members through organized training, fostering discipline in training, and knowledge sharing. My teammates knowledge and experience quickly boosted my performance and confidence. Thanks to Team FeXY, I rapidly became a much better triathlete and had the support of others, and an effective organization to help me through hard training sessions. I am approaching the role on the BOD as a way to give back to the team, the sport, and the local community. My goal is to help grow Team FeXY and create the best environment to train, race, and share our passion and experience while having fun. |
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| Webmaster: Scott Lake | |
Growing up in South Africa daily life tended to be very active with sports and outdoor activities. I loved being outside
water-skiing 3-5 times a week, playing tennis and golf, swimming, competing in rugby for my school, riding bikes all over the place. If it was
outside I was doing it.
Fast forward about 20 years and I was looking for a closest parking space whenever I needed to run into a store, I needed a change. I joined a gym, picked up weights to get fit but noticed the cardio needed the most work. I started swimming and running/walking on the treadmill before weights for 30 minutes. This progressed to using my beater Target bike on the trails and started doing some runs in the woods. Finally putting it all together I said to myself, lets see if I can do this triathlon thing I heard about. New road bike, a focus on longer distance riding, swimming more, and a steady doses of runs for 12 weeks and The Nations Tri became my first race. I loved it and since then have never looked back. I then found that one of the best ways to enjoy the individual sport of triathlon is with a great community around you: to motivate, to inspire, to share common interests and goals. Team FeXY has brought me great relationships and amazing friendships, and I am excited to give back to the group that creates this unique shared training environment to a mostly selfish sport. |
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| Workout Coordinator: Sara Swenson | |
At the ripe age of 3 I was purposely tossed into the deep end of my community pool in Macomb , Illinois , and quickly
learned from that point that it was "sink or swim!" Luckily, My Mother was there to help me that first time, but she soon realized that I
was confident in the water. I began my competitive swim career around the age of 6, and swam year-round until my freshman year of high
school at Robinson Secondary in Fairfax , Virginia . I continued swimming for my high school team until my sophomore year.
A week after high school graduation, I departed for Army basic training. I spent 5 years on active duty with the Military Police Corps, and then finished up my 8 year commitment with an MP reserve unit in Maryland . I then departed the Army and enlisted in the Air Force Reserves while finishing my bachelor's degree. While serving in the Army and Air Force, I kept myself busy with ruck-runs, rappelling, obstacle courses, and plenty of time spent at installation gyms. I even registered for my first Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, while I was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland . However, during this time, my swimming dropped off almost completely. Then in 2008, while attending the Federal Law Enforcement Academy , I used lap swimming to recover from physically demanding training days. Once I was back in Reston, I continued swimming at the Reston Community Center . About a year later, a fellow Officer at work and I decided to do a triathlon. We chose the Broadland's Sprint in Ashburn, as it was the same day as the Reston Sprint. Since that race, I've been hooked on the triathlon/endurance sport lifestyle! After that first triathlon, I was eager to find a training group that shared my enthusiasm. Mike Copeland, my spinning instructor, introduced me to Team FeXY. I knew I had found the right team after my first try-out track practice. I was impressed with the quantity and quality of the team workouts. Each workout had purpose and structure. As the Workout Coordinator for the 2012-2013 season, I look forward to working with the BOD and receiving feedback from all Team FeXY members, in order to provide challenging group workouts that will meet the needs of all of our athletes. |
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| Social Coordinator: Laura Cortina | |
I've been a part of team sports as long as I can remember - I joined the summer swim team when I was 5, as well as a
softball team, and stuck with both of those all the way through high school. I was a gym rat in college, but didn't participate in any
organized sports. Somewhere during my runs just to stay in shape in beautiful Charlottesville, I actually started to enjoy myself.
I signed up for a couple of half marathons, and eventually MCM in DC. I remember running this race and hearing all of the Team in Training people cheering for each other. It made me realize two things - one, I need to be a part of a team, and two, just running seems awfully boring - someone get me back to a pool! I registered for my first triathlon in 2006, a half Ironman with Team in Training (TNT). I had a fantastic race, and I was hooked to say the least. TNT gave me the team experience I was looking for, but of course you don't stay together as a team. After returning back to training, mostly alone for my first couple of Ironman distance races, it became obvious that I needed to join an actual triathlon team. So, knowing a couple of my coworkers, who had just joined a team, I discussed the topic with them and how they liked it.....the rest is history. As a member of FeXY, I have not only greatly improved my triathlon skill and knowledge, but I have built wonderful friendships with like-minded, passionate people. I look forward to giving back to the team that I have received so much from the past few years, not only as Social Chair, but however else I can help to make us the best team we can be! |
