Introducing the Team

When I started writing this blog last summer, I introduced you to my group of swimming, biking, and running friends. These are my teammates. We formed an official team two years ago under the guidelines of the USATMAA. That’s the U.S.A. Team Making Association of America. In other words, we made t-shirts. I also gave my teammates ridiculous nicknames. As we enter race season and I start writing race reports, I thought I should give you the team roster so you can keep everybody straight.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Team WBTU. My team includes some bad ass triathletes. Collegiate athletes and senior Olympians. Insanely fast runners and swimming “royalty”. USAT All-Americans and World Championship participants. Also, there’s me!

Here are a few groups shots of us (obviously, we need to get an official team pic):

Here’s the official roster (complete with nicknames):

KIRSTEN “THE JELLY BEAN” YOUNG

• Collegiate swimmer
• Perennial “Queen of the Water” at the Stone Harbor Triathlon
• Can execute a perfect post-race cartwheel

FRANNIE “SNARKY G” GRAY

• Collegiate swimmer
• Competed in London at the World Triathlon Championship
• Served most ably as my Press Domestique at the NYC Triathlon last summer

KRISTEN “MRS. DONOVAN” DONOHUE

• Fastest runner on the team
• First overall non-elite finisher at the NYC Triathlon last year, also beating all elites but two and several pros
• Can eat a scary number of donuts for such a tiny person

TERESA “THE REVEREND” ROBERTS

• Collegiate runner
• Marathon PR of 3:10
• Keeps us all grounded with her wisdom and spiritual counsel

BONNIE “MAUI BUS STOP” SOTIRE

• Senior Olympic swimmer, winner of dozens of gold medals
• Owns the Grand Masters category at every race
• Swims two miles from shore in Hawaii to chill with humpback whales

MIDGE “THE RACE DIRECTOR” KERR

• Collegiate gymnast
• USAT All-American and KONA finisher
• Race director extraordinaire

LAURA “TMT” PYOTT

• Mediocre swimmer, biker, and runner
• Two-time 140.6 finisher
• Coacher of basketball, teacher of statistics, lover of breakfast circles

As I’m writing this, I can barely believe these talented women let me hang out with them. I think I bring the comic relief. I know I bring the donuts. Look out for us at races around South Jersey, like Islandman and the Delmo Sports series. But don’t say hi because we are very mean and intimidating and not friendly at all.

Just kidding. Please say hi. Just don’t touch the donuts.