Team Ethos Mission Statement
Team Ethos is a professionally managed not for profit multi-sport team with a philanthropic philosophy. Our mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle for adults and youth by introducing them to the sport. We also provide adult and junior elite and professional athlete role models and mentors as well as opportunities to participate in the sport to underprivileged youth. In the Greek language, ‘Ethos’ represents the distinguishing moral character and guiding beliefs of a group, including expertise and knowledge. Yet Ethos also connotes 'a habitual gathering place'. Team Ethos, therefore, embodies team members’ commitment to excellence and ethical performance as well as their desire to gather together in community to give back, serve and improve people’s lives through sport and teamwork.
Meet the Team Ethos Athletes:
- Junior Team
- Adult Team
Junior Team
Pablo Ramirez
Pablo is enrolled at Robert Morris University and is a graphic design major. He competed in cross country and track. He is a 3 time 3A state qualifier and a two time Nike outdoor national qualifier for track. As a freshman in college thus far he has been awarded All Conference for cross country. He is hoping to be a pro triathlete and hopes Team Ethos will help him reach this goal.
Nick Tyson
My name is Nick Tyson and I have been doing triathlon for about a year. I started off my competetive sports career as a swimmer, but switched to full time running after my sophomore year of high school. Triathlon gave me the chance to combine these two sports along with biking into a single sport that would allow me to challenge my limits, both mentally and physically. Next year I will be attending Williams College in Massachusettes where I plan to run cross country and distance track.
Arash Darbandi
My name is Arash Darbandi and I have been doing triathlon since the summer of 2009. I started off my career as a runner, but due to injuries I began to swim/bike to stay fit for the cross-country and track seasons. Triathlons give me the opportunity to combine these three sports, and they allow for a nice mental break from the mileage. As of now, I am not sure where I will be attending College, but I know for a fact that I will be running cross country and track.
Erik Fielder
My name is Erik Fielder; I am 18 years old and have been competing in triathlons since 2008. I first became interested in the sport when my older sister began competing in them while in college. I am a member of my high school cross country and swim teams, however my focus is to use those sports as a way to improve for triathlons. I compete primarily in Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons although I have competed in one half-iron distance event. My most recent highlight is competing in the USAT Age Group Nationals as the youngest competitor and finishing 7th in the 18-19 year old age group. I now look forward to turning my sights on the ITU Draft Legal Junior Elite races.
Adult Team
D'Arcy Lynch
A competitive swimmer since age 9, D'Arcy got into triathlon on a whim post college - something different to do and a way to stay in shape. 12 years and 35+ triathlons later, D'Arcy's biggest accomplishment is at the Ironman distance. She is a 6-time finisher, 3 of those at the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii (2007-2009). Outside of training, D'Arcy has a passion for golf, tennis, skiing and most recently, cyclo(psycho)cross. Her real job is in new business develop for an interactive marketing firm, Digitas. She looks forward to contributing to the youth outreach aspect of Team Ethos.
Chris Toffolo
I have been running for 15 years and invested in a road bike in May 2005. I began swimming as well & then entered 3 sprint triathlons that summer. I was so burnt out on running and I was hooked. I got serious and bought a tt bike for the 2006 season. I entered 2 half ironmans in 2006 and decided to try an Ironman in 2007. I have raced all 3 Ironmans in Lousiville with a time of 9:58 in 2008 to qualify for the Hawaii Ironman. I have won 4 local sprint/olympic triathlons in the past 3 seasons and enjoy bike racing & time trials to build my bike strength. My goal race for 2010 is Ironman Lake Placid where my intent is to qualify for Kona again.
Ronalyn Garvey
Bio pending.
Jason Smith
Bio pending.
Lesley Kruzel
Lesley Kruzel got into triathlon by reading about it in a magazine. The magazine said “anyone can do it” so she thought she would give it a try. She finished her first triathlon 6 years ago and was totally hooked. Since then she has competed in over 50 races in all distances from sprint to Ironman. Her biggest accomplishments were her first her first overall win 2 years ago and her 2 Ironman finishes. In making triathlon a lifestyle she finds a balance between having a full time job, being a wife, a mother and a triathlete. She gives back to the sport by getting involved. She currently sits on the USAT Mideast Board of Directors as the Ohio Representative and she looks forward to working with the members of Team Ethos.
Ari Epstein
Ari Epstein, a third year undergraduate student in History and Biology at the University of Chicago, is excited to both begin his third season as a short-course distance triathlete and contribute to Team Ethos’ mentoring program. Ari’s academic interests in health disparities, specifically, reinforce his commitment to mentoring inner-city youth on the benefits of an active lifestyle and athletic competition. Ari swam throughout high school years (Lincolnshire, Illinois/Adlai E. Stevenson) before turning to cycling and then triathlon while at university. He is absolutely thrilled to share the many hours of training with teammates instead of toiling in his now usual isolation.
Scott Schmeiser
Scott started in the sport of triathlon in 2005 and is a certified USA Cycling Coach. He started in the sport in an effort to lose some weight. After losing 40 pounds, he realized he could become a much better athlete if he hired a coach. With some excellent coaching, Scott has regularly seen himself on the podium in races of all distances.
Realizing the many benefits of having a personal coach, Scott has begun to train multisport athletes utilizing the knowledge he has obtained.
Scott realizes that training for endurance events is balancing act, having three small children, which he also coaches in multiple sports. He knows how to create a balance in work, life, and training, which is a key for success. Scott utilizes his enthusiasm and positive energy to inspire his athletes to meet their personal goals, but more importantly have fun while doing it.
Chris Parker
Chris played soccer and lacrosse during his youth and through high school, but fell out of organized sports after college. In 2004 he discovered the sport of triathlon and rekindled his love of sports and a healthy active lifestyle. Since then, he has completed numerous triathlons from the sprint distance to the Ironman distance. He has also competed in many running races, from the 5k through the marathon.
Chris continues to develop his performance, through consistent efforts and training over time. He has competed in 4 Ironman distance races, including Ironman Hawaii, as well as the USAT Age Group National Championships. Chris continues to compete at the Ironman distance.
Gary Geiger
Gary is a certified USA Cycling Coach and a 29 year veteran of triathlon competition. During that time, he has been fortunate enough to work with some of the most visible coaches in the sport and feels that this coaching was a major factor in his success as an athlete. He has competed in countless races of all distances, but found the long events more suitable for him. He has been named USAT All-American 4 times, and has qualified for 4 USA Teams for the ITU Long Distance World Championships, competing in France, Denmark, and Spain. His 9 Ironman efforts have garnered a number of podium finishes, and 2 trips to the Ironman World Championships in Kona.
Gary’s wealth of experience, combined with on going study of the latest advances in training methods allow him to customize training for his athletes so they achieve the most from their time invested. His passion is working with highly motivated individuals in creating a close athlete/coach relationship to push through mental and physical boundaries and reach higher goals.
