BEST WISHES FOR A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL EVENT... ... to all of our athletes and volunteers whether they be up a French Creek with a paddle, making Nationals news, or a Steely-eyed veteran! Steelman Triathlon weekend has arrived and we will be there in force with 20+ athletes and 10+ volunteering and supporting! And if that isn't enough, it's also French Creek Racing's River Day SwimFest/SwimRun. Want even more? It's also USAT Nationals weekend in Milwaukee and we have an athlete competing! Let's get this party started! Jr. Gator Personal Best! Before we get into the weekend, a shoutout to Jr. Gator Keira Brannen who competed in the AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines this week on Tuesday. Keira qualified in the long jump and achieved a personal best! Way to go, Keira! Weekend Workouts: We have four workout options over the weekend... • Saturday 8/5, 7:30am-9:30am, Spring Valley YMCA OUTDOOR pool: Uncoached group swim with the SVY Masters Swim Team. There will always be at least one lane available for any Gators participating. • Saturday 8/5, 8:30am, Keystone Running Store, 200 E. High St, Pottstown: Group run... https://www.facebook.com/groups/479291044416772 • Sunday 8/6, 8:00am, Steel City Coffeehouse & Brewery (203 Bridge St, Phoenixville): RUNegades group run • Sunday 8/6, 11:15am-12:15pm, Spring Valley YMCA indoor pool: Uncoached group swim Weekend Events: So, who's doing what? As always, if your name is missing from our best wishes list, PLEEEASE post a comment so that we can send Good Gator Vibes your way! Saturday, July 29: • SPONSOR EVENT: French Creek Racing's River Day SwimFest / SwimRun (Norristown, PA): This event includes 1/2 mile, 1 mile, and 5k individual races as well as a 5k relay and the rare SwimRun event (1/2 mile swim followed by 5k run followed by another 1/2 mile swim). Representing the Gators will be Sheri Kuss lifeguarding (and tapering for her always entertaining volunteer stint at Steelman) and Whitney Chadwick-Lessar competing with her daughter Emerson in the SwimRun event! Go Whitney (and Emerson)! • USAT Nationals (Milwaukee, WI): After missing last year's event due to flight cancellations, Jens Sydor finally gets to Milwaukee to take on this qualifier event, which is an Olympic distance triathlon! Go Jens! Sunday, August 6: • CLUB/SPONSOR EVENT: Steelman Triathlon (Lake Nockamixon, Quakertown, PA): We did it, we once again earned a portapotty and an exclusive finish line location for our club tent! We have an amazing turnout of Gators including volunteers, athletes, and supporters! This includes all of the following: Volunteers: Jon Crosby, Jack Epelbaum, Gator Tot Austen Fong (plus her mom Michelle and brother Carter), Sheri Kuss, Diane Weiss, Logan Washburn, and Jim Young; Athletes: OLYMPIC TRI, individual: Chris Acosta, Teresa Byrne, Carla DelFico, Gleb Epelbaum, Benjamin Fong, Shawn O'Malley, and Chris Townsley; SPRINT TRI, individual: Whitney Chadwick-Lessar, Elayne Dell, Angela Epelbaum, Jennifer Gehret, Christa Kachline, Michael Metry (and daughter Jules; first tri for Jules!), Ben Moore, and Joyce Williams; SPRINT AQUABIKE: Lindsay Inger; OLYMPIC RELAY: The Insta-Gators (Joe Boris swimming, Don Mack cycling, and Dre Barber running); SPRINT RELAY: Kristie Bruno (swim, run; with Christina Cunningham cycling)! There will also be a special tribute to Brian Kozera during the pre-race ceremonies. Go Gators! • SPONSOR EVENT: Kinetic Multisports' Lums Pond Triathlon (Bear, DE): This event includes Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, aquabikes, and relays. Have fun, Gator Done, then drink a beer! 💚BK🍺