sponsored athletes

meredith brooke kessler, aka mbk – ironman champion

biography:

Meredith grew up in Columbus, Ohio where she was a 4-sport athlete and was inducted into her high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Meredith went on to receive a Division I athletic scholarship at Syracuse University where she participated in field hockey and track. After graduation in 2000, she used her graduation money to purchase her first triathlon bike and entered in a full Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run) two weeks later. From that moment on, she caught the spirit of Ironman competition and hasn’t looked back. Since that first Ironman in 2000, Meredith has competed in over 50 full Ironman races all over the United States.

She was undefeated in her 2009 season having erned first place amateur woman in every race that year. As 2009 came to a close, Meredith turned professional and garnered success quickly. In this first season as a rookie pro, she won Ironman Canada and placed 2nd in both Ironman St. George and Ironman Coeur D’Alene. In 2011, Meredith achieved the bronze medal at the Long Distance World Championships and was top three in seven races. In 2012, she won Ironman New Zealand, Ironman St. George, Ironman Coeur D’Alene, Eagleman 70.3 and Vineman 70.3. She was the top three in eight races. In 2013, she won Ironman New Zealand, St. George 70.3, Vineman 70.3, Lake Stevens 70.3 and Rev3 Florida. 

Outside of her career as a professional Ironman triathlete, Meredith takes pride in being the best wife, daughter, sister, friend and mentor that she can possibly be every day. Her family, friends and coach (industry acclaimed Matt Dixon – purplepatch Fitness) are paramount in fueling her energies to compete at such an elite level. 

Visit her website.

Follow her on social media:

www.twitter.com/mbkessler
www.instagram.com/mbkessler
www.facebook.com/mbkessler55
www.linkedin.com/in/meredithkessler55
www.youtube.com/c/MeredithKessler
www.pinterest.com/meredithkessler
www.plus.google.com/+MeredithKessler  

 

alicia kay, 2013 american top female triathlete of the year

biography:

2011 represented a year of big changes and success for Alicia. Formally an athlete

focused on ITU racing, she transitioned into Olympic distane non-draft triathlon.  Since then, Alicia has finished 2nd in the Lifetime Series twice (2011 & 2012) and won the Lifetime Series twice (2013 & 2014) and the Toyota Triple Crown in 2013.  Her 2015 season is focused on qualifying for 70.3 World Championships and transitioning into half distance racing.  
Alicia grew up in Canada and began participating in triathlon when she was 11 years old; she became a professional triathlete at the age of 14.  Alicia spent her teen years racing triathlon while juggling her academic studies.  While completing her undergraduate degree in Sport Psychology she met fellow triathlete and now husband, Jarrod Shoemaker.  Since meeting Jarrod she has began racing for the United States and also completed her masters degree in Athletic Counseling.  Some of Alicia’s proudest moments include winning Canadian Junior National Championships in 2001, and winning the St. Anthony’s Triathlon in 2013.  In her spare time Alicia works as a mental trainer and runs a skincare company with her husband Jarrod, called Endurance Shield.  

Visit her website.

 

morgan arritola, former nordic Olympian,
professional trail & mountain distance runner

biography:

Morgan lives in Ketchum, Idaho as well as Bend, OR where she is currently back in
school. She love being outside and from running to biking in the summer and skiing in the winters she has competed and traveled around the world. She began cross country skiing in high school and was on the US Ski team for several years and competed in multiple junior and senior World Championships as well as the 2010 Olympics. Upon ending my full time ski career she went back to school and began to trail/mountain run professionally for Salomon. She has won multiple national titles for trail and mountain running, been named to the US World Mountain Running team 3 times and placed 3rd at World Mountain Championships in Italy in 2012. In 2014 I placed 2nd at the World Long Distance Mountain Championships. More than anything, Morgan loves to travel the world and see new places but feels so lucky to get to call Sun Valley home.

 

whole athlete cycling team

about:

A Junior / U23 development program, the Whole Athlete / Specialize Cycling Team has a simple mission: to invest in the future of our youth and the sport of cycling by developing young athletes at the regional, national, and international levels with dedication, integrity, and fun.  

Visit their website.

bungalow munch is a proud sponsor of these young athletes!