Moody Triathlon Club scores gold, silver, bronze

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stan Coleman
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
LAKE PARK, Ga. --  With dedication, endurance and plenty of preparation, nine Moody members recently clenched top rankings during a local triathlon competition.

Members of the Moody Air Force Base Triathlon Club competed against more than 100 athletes at the Winnersville Sprint and Titletown Olympic Triathlon in Lake Park, Ga., Aug. 21.

"There was a lot of tough competition in the triathlon," said Master Sgt. Sam Louie, 820th Combat Operations Squadron.

During the event, there were two courses: the Sprint and Olympic. The Sprint Course consisted of a 500-yard swim, 14-mile bike course and 3.1 mile run. The Olympic course consisted of a 1000-yard swim, 27-mile bike course and a 6.2 mile run.

Several triathlon club members achieved top three standings in their age and team categories.

Capt. Trevor Ambron, 822nd Security Forces Squadron physician assistant and president of the Moody Triathlon Club won first place in the 30- to 34-years-old category on the Olympic course; Cathy Deyo, retired senior master sergeant, won first place in the 50- to 54-years-old Sprint course; and the Olympic Relay Moody Dream Team comprised of Col. Randall Richert, 820th Security Forces Group commander; Capt. Paul Gesl, 23rd Wing Judge Advocate, and Aaron Reed, Moody spouse, took first place in the relay team category.

Chief Master Sgt. Richard Parsons, 23rd Wing command chief, achieved the silver medal for the 40- to 44-years-old age group category on the Sprint course.

Staff Sgt. Paul Merck, 38th Rescue Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist (Sprint course), and his wife Amanda Merck (Olympic course), earned bronze medals in the 25- to 29-years-old age group.

"A few years ago I became serious about cycling and running," said Captain Ambron. "I played football in high school and began swimming during my senior year. Later on, I thought it would be fun to do a triathlon. I did my first one in 2007 and became hooked."

Another club member admits she also became hooked by the excitement of competing.

"The idea of training and racing with other people is very exciting," said Mrs. Merck. "I love to work hard and push myself.

"My efforts double when I am surrounded by people who like to push themselves, especially when they're more physically fit and talented than I am," she added. "I gain so much energy when I am surrounded by people who like to challenge themselves."

The drive to compete inspires the club members to participate in various triathlons.

Sergeant Louie has achieved first place in three Sprint triathlon competitions in the past. He is currently training for an Ironman triathlon event.

"The Ironman event I'm training for now has a total distance of more than 140 miles in one day," he said. "You're allowed 17 hours to complete the total course. I completed my last Ironman event in 13 hours and 31 minutes."

"Everyone has their own routine for training," said Captain Ambron. "The Moody Triathlon Club tries to get together once or twice throughout the week to do bike training or run as a group. We also go to a local lake to practice our open water swimming."

Whenever possible, the club also trains with local organizations such as the Azalea City Cyclists, a local cycling club and the Valdosta State University Triathlon Club.

"In addition to the physical preparation, there is a big mental component to triathlon training," said Captain Ambron. "Planning your race and mentally going through your transition between each event is important.

"Anyone can do a triathlon," he added. "Many of the races I've done have age groups ranging from teenagers all the way to 70-year-olds. Whether you are a seasoned pro or interested in doing your first sprint triathlon, the newly re-established Moody Triathlon Club is looking for you."

For more information regarding the triathlon club, contact Captain Ambron at trevor.ambron@moody.af.mil or Master Sgt. Sam Louie at sam.louie@moody.af.mil or Mrs. Amanda Merck at ammerck@gmail.com.

Winnersville Sprint & Titletown Olympic Triathlon results, Aug. 21

Olympic course
Capt. Trevor Ambron, 1st place, 30- to 34-years-old, 2:42:14.9
Amanda Merck, 3rd place, 25- to 29-years-old, 2:58:05.6
Master Sgt. Sam Louie, 5th place, 40- to 44-years old, 2:35:59

Olympic relay, first place, mixed age groups
Col. Randall Richert (swimming), 14:51.8
Aaron Reed (biking), 1:19:10.8
Capt. Paul Gesl (running), 40:30.0

Sprint course
Seth Novak, 1st place, 25- to 29-years-old, 1:18:59.4
Cathy Deyo, 1st place, 50- to 54-years-old, 2:07:32.0
Chief Master Sgt. Richard Parsons, 2nd place, 40- to 45-years-old, 1:27:50.0
Staff Sgt. Paul Merck, 3rd place, 25- to 29-years-old, 1:28:29.2