Meet The Team Fight CoachesUlman2018-07-07T21:09:05-04:00
Get to know some of the local Team Fight coaches that are available to train you throughout the year. These incredible individuals volunteer their time & knowledge to help Team Fight members achieve their race goals!
Lee Keagle
After completing her first triathlon with Team Fight 3 years ago, Lee stepped into the role of coaching the weekly swims for Team Fight’s Iron Girl Training Team during the summer. She has participated in every Iron Girl since, as well as over 10 half marathons & her first full marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival last year.
How did you first get involved with the Ulman Cancer Fund & Team Fight?
I first became involved about 5 years ago when my Dad and I played in one of UCF’s golf tournaments. My aunt and cousin had also participated in the Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon with Team Fight for several years. When they “retired” from the triathlon world, I decided to take over and keep the Keagle name a part of Team Fight by participating in my first triathlon (Iron Girl) in 2013.
Since then, I’ve proudly represented Team Fight in numerous races, and was privileged to be a part of UCF’s Key to Keys program in 2015. I really wouldn’t know what I would do if I wasn’t involved with Team Fight and the Ulman Cancer Fund. Everyone I’ve met through this organization has become such an important part of my life.
What is the best part about being a Team Fight coach?
The best part about being a Team Fight coach is giving back to others what I learned from my Team Fight coaches a few years ago when I was training for my first triathlon. I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I was in my racing life without Coaches Jelly, Mike, Dawn, Shana & Matt. I want to be able to help fellow Team Fight members and Iron Girls reach their goals and boost their racing esteem. You CAN do anything you put your heart into with PMA – Positive Mental Attitude!!!
Mike Lombardo
Mike is a certified USA Triathlon Level 1 coach and race director, RRCA certified running coach & ACE Personal Trainer. Mike coaches the year-round Thursday night Team Fight swims with Coach Jelly & helps prepare athletes in the “off-season” by leading a weekly Team Fight boot camp before the swims during the winter. He also works closely with the UCF Races team to help produce the Columbia Triathlon & Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon each year. Mike has completed 5 full Ironmans (Lake Placid, Louisville & Wisconsin) and ran the Boston Marathon 5 times among many other races of various distances.
How did you first get involved with the Ulman Cancer Fund & Team Fight?
I was asked by UCF’s COO, Brian Satola to assist with a Team Fight Iron Girl group ride. We rode the course fixing flats, guiding the women around the Iron Girl bike course and encouraging them up the hills. I soon became a Team Fight member and then transitioned into a coach.
What is the best part about being a Team Fight coach?
The people you meet through Team Fight are amazing. They are raising funds for the Ulman Cancer Fund because they either have a personal connection with cancer or they are a survivor themselves. Many times they are both, which speaks volumes about what UCF does. Team Fight is filled with a lot of awesome people doing great things.
Blake Schreurs
After being an active member of Team Fight for the past several years, Blake stepped up to lead the weekly Tuesday night runs during the summer. These runs are open to all Team Fight members, but are especially helpful to the Iron Girl Training Team since the group has the opportunity to tackle the Iron Girl run course each week. He encourages everyone to come out and run at their own pace – no drop, no judgement! Blake has completed multiple sprint & olympic level triathlons, various adventure races and a 5 day, 250 mile unsupported cycling adventure through Maine.
How did you first get involved with the Ulman Cancer Fund & Team Fight?
I first learned about Team Fight during 24 Hours of Booty, a cycling fundraising event in Columbia that benefits UCF. I met a few Team Fight members there, and a couple months later I was running with them and showing up for the swim workouts.
What is the best part about being a Team Fight coach?
One of the greatest things about being a Team Fight coach is the energy. There’s always a huge amount of excitement and enthusiasm for the organization, the training process, and most importantly, the cause.
Dawn Smyers
Dawn is a certified USA Triathlon Level 1 & ASCM Level 2 Swim coach, as well as a CrossFit Level 1 & CrossFit Endurance Level 1 coach and NASM Certified Personal Trainer. She leads the Iron Girl Training Team’s weekly swim workouts and several open water swim clinics for Team Fight members during the summer. Dawn has completed 3 Ironmans, 2 marathons, a 50K trail run, a Tough Mudder, and countless century rides.
How did you first get involved with the Ulman Cancer Fund & Team Fight?
I heard about Team Fight through some friends in Mid Maryland Triathlon Club. I signed up to do a triathlon with Team Fight and fell in love with the organization.
What is the best part about being a Team Fight coach?
Watching the first time Iron Girls tackle their fears or accomplish something they have worked really hard for (especially swimming). On race day the women have this look of “What did I get myself into? I can’t do this!” Then they head down to the water hitting that fear head on and cross the finish line with the biggest smiles on their faces!
Bill “Jelly” Wheeler
Bill Wheeler or “Jelly” as everyone calls him, is a certified USA Triathlon Level 1 coach and leads the Thursday night Team Fight swim workouts with Mike year-round. He is an avid cyclist and has been competing in triathlons for over 10 years. Some of Jelly’s athletic accomplishments include: Chesapeake Man (Ironman Maryland), a 50K endurance run, 100 mile mountain bike race, 4 thirteen hour solo mountain bike races, and various other race distances.
How did you first get involved with the Ulman Cancer Fund & Team Fight?
I heard about Team Fight through members of the Mid Maryland Triathlon Club. I spent years doing triathlons and figured it was time to give back and get involved with Team Fight.
What is the best part about being a Team Fight coach?
I started doing triathlons in 2000 and continued through 2010. It was time for me to start giving back to the sport and helping the next great generation of athletes. There is no better way to do this than sharing my knowledge of the sport!