MEET THE POSSE
Our experienced and knowledgeable Posse (volunteer coordinating team) is second to none and on the front line of every event. We never settle for "good enough," we strive to create the best experience possible for every participant. With a combined experience of nearly 200 years, we know endurance sports inside and out! After putting on an amazing race one day, we will be out the next day training and racing. We live, breathe and love endurance multi-sport and the lifestyle that goes with it. Blair and Staci run the business, but our Posse members volunteer event after event, just for the love of the sport! We love our posse like family, they are the best people we know!
Want to join the Posse? We are always looking for new volunteers to help make our events great. There are lots of perks to being on the Posse including swag, free racing and sponsorship deals. That being said, we are looking for true ambassadors of the sport and hands down amazing and kind people to represent endurance sport and serve as roll models to our awesome community. Think you have what it takes? E-mail us :-)
Want to join the Posse? We are always looking for new volunteers to help make our events great. There are lots of perks to being on the Posse including swag, free racing and sponsorship deals. That being said, we are looking for true ambassadors of the sport and hands down amazing and kind people to represent endurance sport and serve as roll models to our awesome community. Think you have what it takes? E-mail us :-)
Blair | Staci
Aaron | Andrew | Anna | Ben | Bill | Bri | Cara | Chris M | Cody | Colette
Dave | Ema | Émile | Erica | Erin | Fran | Giovanna | Jake | Jill | Joseph | Josh E |
Kelly | Ken | Kevin | Marco | Mark | Megan | Mel | The Middletons
The Mikes: Mike F | Mike G | Mike M | Mike S
The Norlands | Paige | Quincy | Ramón | Ray | Richard | Sierra | Taz
We clearly have some updating to do as the Posse has grown! Check back as we add bios and pictures for all of our Posse.
Aaron | Andrew | Anna | Ben | Bill | Bri | Cara | Chris M | Cody | Colette
Dave | Ema | Émile | Erica | Erin | Fran | Giovanna | Jake | Jill | Joseph | Josh E |
Kelly | Ken | Kevin | Marco | Mark | Megan | Mel | The Middletons
The Mikes: Mike F | Mike G | Mike M | Mike S
The Norlands | Paige | Quincy | Ramón | Ray | Richard | Sierra | Taz
We clearly have some updating to do as the Posse has grown! Check back as we add bios and pictures for all of our Posse.
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BLAIR BRONSON
POSSE SPECIALTY: Owner, race director, coach, cookie monster HOBBIES: Swimming, riding bicycles, triathlon, anything in the woods or on the trails, gardening and baking (cookies). CAREER: Best in the West Events Owner/Director ABOUT BLAIR: My dad challenged me to a triathlon race in 2006. That race changed the direction of my life. Shortly after, I became the president of the OSU Triathlon Club, directed the Beaver Freezer and Beaver Fever, and was captain of the first ever OSU team to attend collegiate nationals. The Beavs are now a dominating force in the NW! In addition to running Best in the West Events, I volunteer my time as much as I can: coaching the OSU Triathlon team, serving as the North West USAT Collegiate Commissioner and Pacific Northwest USAT Board Member. I want to grow the sport of triathlon and the healthy lifestyle that goes with it. |
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STACI BRONSON
POSSE SPECIALTY: Owner, operations manager, director, run course guru, apparel and web design, pretty much anything we need. HOBBIES: Triathlon, trail running, mountain biking, hunting, teaching CAREER: Owner/Director BWE and Anatomy and Physiology Instructor at Oregon State University ABOUT STACI: I love everything about the endurance multi-sport lifestyle, so much so that I have focused my entire life around it. Like Blair, I was the president and race director for the Oregon State Triathlon Club (now a coach). I discovered my love of race directing when I directed the Beaver Fever in 2013 and Beaver Freezer in 2014/2015. I have a masters and PhD in Exercise and Sport Science and am working full time at in the Integrative Biology Department teaching Anatomy and Physiology at OSU. Now, I spend all my time outside of school helping my husband run this incredible company. |
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QUINCY GILL
POSSE SPECIALTY: Bike course master and cone-oisseur. HOBBIES: mountain biking, trail running, Duathlon and the occasional tri CAREER: Science teacher up in Washington ABOUT QUINCY: I fell in love with multi-sport during my first du at Oregon dunes in 2013. While I’ve since gone back to my roots, focusing on riding and running in the mountains, I still am stoked to jump in the occasional tri or du. My favorite, though, is helping out at the races, watching others fall in love with the sport and achieve their goals. The magic of multi sport and best in the west keeps me coming back! Catch me on the bike course in a big truck (hopefully without a flat or mechanical, but if you’ve got one please flag me down!). Train happy!! |
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MICHAEL "Taz" TASMAN
POSSE SPECIALTY: Transition area expert! HOBBIES: Riding his bike all over the Willamette Valley, and we mean ALL OVER! Coaching the OSU Tri Club, Ironman Triathlon CAREER: Engineer, City of Covallis ABOUT TAZ: Taz has been a coach for OSU triathlon club for the past 15 years! He is the TA Coordinator for OSU Beaver Freezer and Fever, Triathlete x 30 years! He is also a USA Triathlon certified Coach. This man gives and gives to the triathlon community and we are so lucky to have him. |
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ERICA "The Aussie" MCKENZIE
POSSE SPECIALTY: Race nutrition and course set up. Most importantly, she makes sure the Posse never goes without quality beer after a hard day's work! HOBBIES: Trail running, running with her dog in the forest, hanging with the Posse CAREER: Large Animal Veterinarian, Professor OSU Vet School, Exercise Physiology Research ABOUT ERICA: Erica has been an OSU tri club coach for several years. She has a special interest in racing nutrition, particularly as it relates to long distance exercise. She loves running with her hubby Dave and their Kelpie ‘Tasi’, and she occasionally competes in cyclocross and ultra-running events. |
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DAVE "El Guapo" DICKSON
POSSE SPECIALTY: Fastest bike course setter in the west, advanced box truck handling certification HOBBIES: Ultra running, rugby, black belt in karate CAREER: Intellectual Property & Licensing Manager at Oregon State University ABOUT DAVE: I am president of the Corvallis triclub (2012, 2013, 2014VP, 2016 and 2017). I was race co-director of the Beaver Freezer in 2009 and have volunteered at many local events. I ran my first marathon in 2006, my first 50K in 2009, and my first Ironman in 2011. |
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Kathy "Blair's Mom" Bronson
POSSE SPECIALTY: Communications team manager and sustenance coordinator (post race food)
HOBBIES: Running, playing with her dog Paxton, more recently swimming and biking and always up for a good long hike in nature.
CAREER: Licensed Massage Therapist and Personal Training, owner of Ultimate Fitness.
ABOUT Kathy: Kathy started her journey into the health and fitness business world while raising her three kids. First in the personal training side of things then later going back to school to become an LMT. Her passion is running, but the challenge of multi-sport events captured her interest a few years back and she now enjoys a variety of endurance sports.
POSSE SPECIALTY: Communications team manager and sustenance coordinator (post race food)
HOBBIES: Running, playing with her dog Paxton, more recently swimming and biking and always up for a good long hike in nature.
CAREER: Licensed Massage Therapist and Personal Training, owner of Ultimate Fitness.
ABOUT Kathy: Kathy started her journey into the health and fitness business world while raising her three kids. First in the personal training side of things then later going back to school to become an LMT. Her passion is running, but the challenge of multi-sport events captured her interest a few years back and she now enjoys a variety of endurance sports.
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KEN "Blair's Dad" BRONSON
POSSE SPECIALTY: Bike course and flagger wrangler HOBBIES: Hunting, fishing, gardening, skiing, triathlon, hiking CAREER: Transit District Director and Manager of the Sweethome Senior Center ABOUT KEN: Better known as Blair's Dad in the tri community, Ken is an avid outdoors man! He introduced Blair to Triathlon on a bet and now, look at the monster he has created! You will find Ken at all of our events, racing or helping direct the bike course and keep those flaggers in line :-) |
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MELISSA "MEL" NORLAND
POSSE SPECIALTY: Saloon manager/bar keep at BWTri HOBBIES: Ultra running, mountain biking, kayaking, soccer, keeping her families lives full of fun and adventure! CAREER: Mother of 2 insanely active and busy boys! ABOUT MEL: You will find Mel at swim practice, soccer practice, orchestra or violin practice, the farmers market, remodeling her house, bike racing, mountain biking, camping, trail running or anywhere that sounds like fun that her kids want to go. This is one adventurous and crazy fit and crazy busy babe! |
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THE NORLAND FAMILY
POSSE SPECIALTY: Set up extraordinaires & water safety HOBBIES: Expert mountain bikers - have you seen these guys shred?! CAREER: Trevor - Master Craftsman, Corvallis Stone and Cobble LLC Owner, Mel - See above, Keller and Alec - two of the best kids ever! ABOUT THE NORLANDS: This family is truly amazing. They literally do it all and are super positive and fun to be around. You will find the boys racing at our events and then will see them working hard to help clean up. |
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AARON SEIPEL
POSSE SPECIALTY: Run Course HOBBIES: Triathlon, Yoga, Mountain biking, Eating tasty foods, petting small fluffy animals. CAREER: PhD student at OSU studying Human Performance ABOUT AARON: I hail from our great northern neighbor, Canada and have dual citizenship here in the US. I came to Oregon State to study Exercise Science. During my honors thesis, I teamed up with Staci to work on her Masters project at the time. Now, I am working on my own masters project. I joined the OSU Triathlon club in 2010 and did my first race in 2011. I started triathlon because I ran in high school and I wanted to keep competing. Since then, I have done about 50 tris including racing at the Collegiate National Championships 4 times and age group nationals twice. My triathlon specialty is transition, I'm one of the fastest changers out there. |
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ANNA WHEELER
POSSE SPECIALTY: Photography, volunteers HOBBIES: Mountain biking, triathlon, dressage, skiing, backpacking, and climbing CAREER: Vet student at OSU Carlson College of Veterinary medicine ABOUT: I grew up with a very active family. I spent every weekend riding horses and doing outdoor activities. I got interested in Triathlon in September 2016 when I joined the OSU team. I was new to all three sports so having the club as a support was amazing. I now mostly bike and climb with friends. |
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CARA SEIPEL
POSSE SPECIALTY: Photography and aid station guru HOBBIES: Driving, Dressage, Road Trips CAREER: Recent OSU Grad in Animal Science ABOUT CARA: I graduated from OSU in Animal Science. I help my parents raise pigs to provide bacon to the world. I got into helping with Best in the West Events through my brother, Aaron. We lived together through college, and I help him remember all of his gear for races and life. When Aaron started helping with the Posse, I did as well. I usually take pictures at the races but also coordinate the aid stations at Tri Fest. I love spending time with my dog, Bashful and have fun watching triathletes work hard at races. |
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CHRIS MCELFRESH
POSSE SPECIALTY: EMT HOBBIES: Running, snowboarding, hiking, gardening, hanging out with my super ferocious (with cuddles) pitbull Bruce and wife Kelsey CAREER: Systems Administrator ABOUT: I started running in college as a way to stay active and escape from school for brief moments. I didn't even realize the sport of triathlon existed until 2 of my friends said "Hey, let's go down to Sutherlin and compete in a triathlon!". I didn't realize how hard running would be after you've swam and biked a bit! The rest is history but what really hooked me to this sport was the people. I'm still a runner at heart and you'll find me running the trails in the Mac on nice days, but the community is incredible and being a part of Best in the West Events has helped me stick with these crazy people after I graduated from Oregon State. |
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EMA ARMSTRONG
POSSE SPECIALTY: Volunteer Coordinator HOBBIES: Trail running, mountain biking, adventuring, and sometimes baking CAREER: Current - BWE Volunteer Coordinator. Future - Utah State Graduate Student ABOUT: I joined the OSU Tri Club when I started college to keep up with my fitness. Then, like so many other members of the Posse, Blair and Staci wrangled me into volunteering for every single event! Volunteer coordinating taught me how to manage large groups of people, even when things are crazy chaotic and I'm exhausted. Joining the Posse was the best decision I made in college! Not only do I have a job, but I also met all my best friends!! |
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ERIN FAULHABER
POSSE SPECIALTY: Registration guru and email master HOBBIES: Playing arcade games; especially Ski Ball CAREER: Professional Volunteer ABOUT: I am not an athlete. I am a triathlon widow. My husband is a runner, biker, and triathlete, so I started volunteering at his events to pass the time waiting for him to finish. This has turned into a passion for volunteering! I love the athletes and the energy at events. As Principal McGee announced before the big football game in Grease "If you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter." When not being supportive, I like to spend time at the beach or in the woods. I have an incredibly spoiled rabbit named Cocoa who keeps me company. |
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JOSEPH UNFRED
POSSE SPECIALTY: All purpose player and pinch hitter HOBBIES: Swimming, Reading, Skiing, Tinkering, Sheep Wrestling, Mountain Biking, Hugging Trees, Dad Jokes, Cuban Salsa Dancing CAREER: Student - German and GIS ABOUT JOSEPH: After graduating from high school and no longer training with the HS swim team, I noticed the lbs creepin' up. I started mountain biking with a Crossduathlon club in Germany and they eventually convinced me to try triathlon. Fast forward a year to my first trail run with the OSU Triclub and I was hooked on the sport and the community! After hanging around after a few BWE races I was drafted into the Posse and have enjoyed every moment of pre-race setup, race day madness, and post race celebrations! If you hear someone call me Wet Denim just ask Erin why. I love traveling and hope to join the foreign service after I finish up at OSU. Los gehts! |
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JOSH ERKMAN
POSSE SPECIALTY: Heavy lifter, announcing, set up, driver HOBBIES: Road Trips, Kayaking, Rafting and Swimming CAREER: Student ABOUT JOSH: I am studying Industrial Engineering at OSU. I started triathlon at OSU hoping to finally be able to run again. I was unable to run more than a mile without intense pain at the begining of the 2016 season but through physical therapy, endurance and much encouragement I gained strength with each race, running with less and less pain. I am hoping to go for more distance as I get stronger and tougher over time. I want to enjoy the experience of each activity and appreciate the immense capabilities my body has. |
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RAY "Rawhide" FIORI
POSSE SPECIALTY: Bike course HOBBIES: Hunting, mountain biking, kicking ass at triathlon CAREER: Owner, RTF Consulting: Technical Adviser/Project Management for wetland restoration/mitigation projects Managing Partner Oregon Wetlands LLC: Wetland mitigation banking ABOUT RAY: My history of participating and training for endurance sports included Mountain Bike Racing, mountaineering, and back country skiing. Although I maintained some level of these activities and many other outdoor adventures over the years, my priorities shifted to focusing on my career. After 10 years of career focused living, I was once again able to strike a work/life balance thanks to my amazing wife, which once again had a fitness focus to excel at all the activities I loved. With the support of my wife to begin running, my biking background, and the underlying assumption I could figure out how to swim, I set my sights on triathlon as a motivating force to train. I have been enjoying the journey ever since. |
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RICHARD FAULHABER
POSSE SPECIALTY: Photography, tech support, muscle. HOBBIES: Hiking, Camping, Computers, Photography, Electronic Music Festivals CAREER: Computer Programmer/Network Engineer/Application Developer ABOUT RICHARD: I have always been a runner and a bicyclist. After getting a desk job, getting married, and having a kid I stopped exercising and gained weight. In 2010 I decided enough was enough and started getting healthy again. Through a lot of trial and error, I found how to adjust my lifestyle back to becoming an athlete. In 2011 I decided since I was already biking and running, it would be fun to add in swimming. I participated in my first sprint distance triathlon that spring. By the end of the season I was hooked and racing the olympic distance. In 2013 I entered my first Ironman. My wife (Erin) and son have been my support team every step of my journey. |
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SIERRA MICKEY
POSSE SPECIALTY: Photography HOBBIES: I enjoy learning, trying new sports, wood carving, gardening, yoga, and cooking CAREER: Graduating Oregon State University with a Bachelor’s in social-cultural anthropology, with a focus on food insecurity and hunger ABOUT SIERRA: I’ve been with the posse for just under a year now, and in that time it’s been fun to learn from and get to know others who quickly became friends! I haven’t quite caught the triathlon bug—right now I’m loving the trails and testing my limits with ultra marathons. Even if I don’t participate in tri’s (yet!) just being involved in such a great, energetic community keeps me motivated and inspired, and allows me to meet some really awesome people! Mainly I help out and photograph races for Best in the West, which is so rewarding! I get to see everyone working hard, give them a cheer, and capture a special moment. |
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BRI FRINK
POSSE SPECIALTY: All around player HOBBIES: triathlons, trail running, yoga, basketball, volleyball, soccer; I just love all sports!! CAREER: Graduated with a chemical engineering degree at OSU, now starting medical school at OHSU ABOUT BRI: I am a proud dual citizen of Brasil and USA. I am grateful to have lived in the most beautiful places in the world: Belo Horizonte (my hometown in Brasil), Boulder Colorado (my second home), and now Corvallis (my new home). I have fallen IN LOVE with everything in Oregon. Triathlons changed my life and has led me to the best friends. I am excited to start medical school at OHSU in August of 2019, which will allow me to continue to enjoy the nature and the people of this gorgeous state while pursuing my professional dreams. |
