Coaching Staff

USA Triathlon Certified Training Center’s staff includes 13 USAT-certified coaches. Coaches work directly with athletes and will make appropriate referrals to other training center professional staff members, such as an athletic trainer, clinical dietician or sports psychologist.

Kandys Dameron, P.T.A.
Level I triathlon coach
Physical therapy assistant

• Instructor for beginning swimmers
• Competitive triathlete
• Former Lake Geode Challenge race director
• USA Triathlon Coaches Clinic faculty member

John Hunsaker
Level II triathlon coach

• Has been competing in triathlons since 2001
• Has coached other triathletes since 2004 and works closely with members of Team BEAST (Burlington Endurance Athlete Sports Team)
• Qualified for 2004 USA Triathlon National Championships
• USA Triathlon Coaches Clinic faculty member

Michael Hunter
Level I triathlon coach

• Focuses on coaching aspects specific to biking and works closely with members of Team BEAST
• Master bike racer who has participated in numerous road races and criteriums
• 2005 and 2006 Iowa State time-trial winner
• Lake Geode Challenge bike course coordinator
• USA Triathlon Coaches Clinic faculty member

Chris Kipp, P.T.
Level I triathlon coach
Doctor of physical therapy candidate

• Focuses on coaching aspects specific to biking and running
• Competitive bike racer and runner
• USA Triathlon Coaches Clinic faculty member

Dan Miller-Jacobs, P.T.
Level I triathlon coach
Physical therapist

• Focuses on postural assessments for runners
• Competitive triathlete
• USA Triathlon Coaches Clinic faculty member

Craig Murphy, P.T., ATC
Level II triathlon coach
Doctor of physical therapy candidate and certified athletic trainer

• Focuses on coaching aspects specific to running
• Member of the 1998 Ironman World Championships medical staff
• Athletic trainer for the Southeastern Community College men’s basketball team (2002 and 2004 junior college national champions)
• Has been competing in triathlons and other endurance races since 1992
• USA Triathlon Coaches Clinic faculty member

Tony Noll
Level I triathlon coach

• Focuses on coaching aspects specific to running
• Regional Training Center Youth Development Co-director
• Assisted and presented at USA Triathlon’s 2006 Youth National Championships
• Competitive triathlete and endurance athlete 
• Serves on Lake Geode Challenge staff
• USA Triathlon Coaches Clinic faculty member

Chris Reed, M.S., ATC, CSCS
Coordinator, High Performance Program and USAT Certified Training Center

• Focuses on athletic testing, performance training, strength and conditioning, and injury prevention and treatment
• Strength and conditioning specialist since 2000
• Certified athletic trainer since 1996

Tom Rudy
Level I triathlon coach

• Focuses on coaching aspects specific to swimming and works closely with members of Team BEAST
• Former member of the University of Iowa swim team
• Regional Training Center Youth Development Co-director
• Assisted and presented at USA Triathlon’s 2006 Youth National Championships
• USA Triathlon Coaches Clinic and Coaching Certification Program faculty member
• Works as an official at area high school swim meets

Sara Salata, D.P.T., ATC
Level I triathlon coach
Doctor of physical therapy and certified athelic trainer

• Focuses on strength and conditioning, and injury prevention and treatment for runners
• USA Triathlon Coaches Clinic faculty member

George Van Hagen, P.T.A.
Level II triathlon coach
Physical therapy assistant

• Has been competing in triathlons and coaching other triathletes since 1990, and works closely with members of Team BEAST
• Has coached two National Championships qualifiers and one Ironman World Championships qualifier
• Finished second in the 1999 Mrs. T's Cyydesdale National Championships, and qualified for the Triathlon Clydesdale World Games and the U.S.A. vs. Mexico Championships 
• Serves on Lake Geode Challenge staff, and is a former Lake Geode Challenge race director
• USA Triathlon Coaches Clinic faculty member