Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1471687
JULY / AUGUST 2022 17 living fit New triathlon coaches / Meet the athlete standings at races around the country. "Like the WAC, we thrive when guiding and supporting athletes in their goals," Mark says. "Everything about partnering with the WAC will just mul- tiply all the fun to be had with training, racing, and building friendships." While triathlon coaching is Teresa and Mark's calling card, they also offer single-sport training for swimming, biking, and running. In fact, they both competed in the 2022 Boston Mara- thon—the fourth in a row for Mark and Teresa's first. Meet the athlete Nikki Kenyon Nikki Kenyon took up rugby as a student at UC Davis. She joined her first women's league in 2014 before joining Life West Rugby, where she started playing 7s and helped the team to three national championships. Nikki also spent time playing for Team USA 7s from 2018–2019. She now plays for the WAC rugby team, having moved to Seattle in 2020 with husband Dev Ferris of the Seattle Seawolves. Nikki also is involved with Team USA 15s and is currently in the selection pool for this year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, set for October. Q. What's it like playing for the WAC rugby team? A. My experience with the WAC team has been truly awesome. e team welcomed me immediately, even though I had previously played on a rival team. Q. How would you compare the rugby community in Washington to California? A. Washington has the best fans! I also think Washington does a great job at providing rugby to the youth and expanding the sport to more marginalized communities. e game should be accessible to everyone. Q. What's your favorite part about rugby? A. is sport is incredibly empowering. You are surrounded by a community that's unique and welcoming. It's a community that shows up knowing there will be hard days that are worth it. e sport has helped get me through some of the hardest times in my life. It has provided me with lifelong friendships, and there's still so much more it can do for athletes. Q. How do you most oen use the WAC? A. I frequent the gym for all my training needs outside of on-field practices. I appreciate the equipment and recovery methods the WAC offers. e Club has an incredible facility, there's no doubt about it! C O U R T E S Y P H O T O "We had the most perfect day with great weather, and everything they say about the race is true," Teresa says. "e crowds literally li your feet off the ground. It was an epic day!" Teresa and Mark will also lead Tri/ Cycle Club workouts this summer. "New coaches bring fresh ideas, training methods, and strategies," WAC Fitness Programs Manager George Sommerrock says. "Having Mark and Teresa lead our athletes in improving their performance is exciting!" Not only do Teresa and Mark strive to help WAC members improve physi- cally, but they also love watching people achieve goals and connect with others. "Nothing makes us smile more than seeing an athlete accomplish something new—small or big," Mark says. "We're looking forward to seeing the strong bonds formed between fellow WAC athletes."