COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The roster for the first-ever USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Team Powered by Newton Running was announced today, featuring 24 age-group ambassadors and three U.S. elite athlete captains. Team members will raise awareness for the mission of the USA Triathlon Foundation and encourage triathlon participation in their local communities, all while serving as brand representatives for Newton Running.

The ambassadors, some of the top age-group athletes in the nation, hail from 18 states and bring a diverse set of experiences and backgrounds in the sport. Through local service projects and community outreach activities, ambassadors will embody the mission of the USA Triathlon Foundation: to support and promote triathlon, and to open pathways to triathlon to those for whom it might not otherwise be possible. 

The team is powered by Newton Running, the exclusive running shoe partner of USA Triathlon and the USA Triathlon Foundation, which has emphasized social responsibility and community giveback as part of its business model since being founded in 2006. 

“We have so many amazing individuals in our sport of triathlon. I am excited to witness the direct and tangible impact this team will have on the sport, race communities and their own local communities as they join together for a common goal,” said David Deschenes, Executive Director of the USA Triathlon Foundation. “Equally exciting is the opportunity to partner with Newton Running, a company known for its philanthropic mindset of giving back and making the world a better place through running.”

“At Newton Running, we are thrilled to partner with the USA Triathlon Foundation to form this very powerful ambassador team,” said Wendy Lee, Director of Global Sales and Philanthropy for Newton Running. “We believe that every great cause begins with movement. This initiative is the perfect example of using sport to make the world a better place, which is a core value at Newton.”

Ambassador team members will participate in service projects onsite at the inaugural Legacy Triathlon in Long Beach, California, on July 20; the Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships in Cleveland on Aug. 10-11; and the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Lausanne, Switzerland, from Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Service projects will support local triathlon communities and multisport-focused charities in each host city.

Additionally, ambassadors will raise a minimum of $1,000 each for the USA Triathlon Foundation. That funding will go toward deserving individuals and organizations in the multisport community in support of the Foundation’s three focus areas: youth, paratriathletes and Olympic hopefuls.

Throughout the triathlon season, ambassadors will also share the mission and vision of the Foundation through personal stories on their social media channels and in multisport-focused media outlets. 

Three U.S. elite triathletes will serve as captains of the ambassador team: 2016 Olympian Joe Maloy, 2020 Olympic hopeful Tony Smoragiewicz, and non-drafting professional triathlete Erin Storie. Team captains will help lead community service efforts while using their social media platforms to advance the Foundation’s mission and vision. 

For more information about the ambassador team, or to make a donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation, visit usatriathlonfoundation.org. 

2019 USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Team Powered by Newton Running:

Age Group Ambassadors
Kimee Armour (Auburn, Ill.)
Melissa Bowman (Northbrook, Ill.)
Lana Burl (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Bill Conway (New York, N.Y.)
Doreen DeRoss (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Deborah Gayle (Burtonsville, Md.)
Jordan Green (Bowling Green, Ky.)
Jill Hamilton-Reeves (Shawnee, Kan.)
Donnelly Howard (Mobile, Ala.)
John Snyder (Bucyrus, Kan.)
Khem Suthiwan (Denver, Colo.)
Laura Swartz (St. Louis Park, Minn.)
Anna McCown (Overland Park, Kan.)
Cristin McDermott (Pittsbugh, Pa.)
John McGrath (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) 
Amy Morin (Bedford, N.H.)
Steph Popelar (Elizabeth, Colo.)
Adam Rosen (Cleveland, Ohio)
Michael Salsgiver (Herndon, Va.)
Jerry Shere (Cleveland Heights, Ohio)
Tove Shere (Cleveland Heights, Ohio)
Kimberly Townsend (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
Julia Wayner (Glastonbury, Conn.)
Brett Zimmerman (Bismarck, N.D.)

Team Captains
Joe Maloy (San Diego, Calif.), 2016 U.S. Olympian
Tony Smoragiewicz (Rapid City, S.D.), 2020 U.S. Olympic Hopeful
Erin Storie (Colorado Springs, Colo.), U.S. Elite Triathlete

Team Manager
Caroline Condon (Colorado Springs, Colo.), USA Triathlon Foundation Coordinator

About the USA Triathlon Foundation
The USA Triathlon Foundation was created in 2014 by the USA Triathlon Board of Directors as an independent tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity. Under the leadership of its Trustees and Committee members, the Foundation serves as a means to create a healthier America through triathlon and seeks to transform lives by opening up new pathways to the sport for all, especially those who are otherwise underserved. The USA Triathlon Foundation operates with the belief that every child should have the chance to participate, every paratriathlete should have the opportunity to compete, and every aspiring elite athlete should be able to chase his or her Olympic dream. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $2.4 million has been provided to worthy causes and organizations that support its mission. Donations to the USA Triathlon Foundation ensure America's youth are introduced to the benefits and fun of a multisport lifestyle, athletes with disabilities receive the training, support and gear to be able to participate and excel, and the best aspiring young athletes have a chance to pursue their Olympic Dreams. Visit usatriathlonfoundation.org to learn more and donate today.

About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

About Newton Running
Newton Running creates performance shoes specifically for runners and outdoor recreationists. The brand, which is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, was built and is operated by runners for runners and strives to help athletes improve their form and abilities. Newton Running is a purpose driven company with a commitment to social and environmental accountability. Learn more about Newton Running at newtonrunning.com.