French Creek Racing’s 2024 Ambassadors

Ana Little-Sana

My first FCR event was River Day in 2021 where I completed the 5k, 1 mile, and 1/2 mile. In 2022 I raced all three events and was touched by all the people who remembered me. I have felt very connected to this community and regularly make the Amtrak trip from DC to swim with French Creek Racing. FCR is doing great work to make open water safe and accessible to all.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Completed the Around Coronado Swim in 2023 (11.5 miles)
  • Three time finisher of the Mackinac Island Swim (8 miles)

Amy Lee

I am a lifelong pool and open water swimmer raised on the sub-tropical Sunshine Coast beaches of Queensland, Australia. I’m currently based in the Seattle area, where the  local active OWS community braves the cold waters of gorgeous PNW lakes, Puget Sound and surrounding islands.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Whidbey Island Adventure Swim
  • Swim Across America Seattle
  • Australian National Surf Life Saving Titles as the ocean swimmer for a Rescue and Resuscitation team

Jorge Gutierrez

I started swimming with the team around November 2020. Team practices were at Lawrence Park Swim Pool. There was a lot of flexibility in practice times throughout the week. Also, I was able to attend team events in order to get to know my team mates even more.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Atlantic City Half ironman finisher in Summer 2021
  • French Creek sprint triathlon
  • Frozen Hare 2023 – 1000K swim race

Madelaine Sayko

Was an avid runner for many years. Took up triathlon in my 50’s but did all my swimming as breast stroke as I was terrified of the swimming portion.  Over time I stopped doing tri’s and went back to only running. Then in 2020 met some folks from FCR at a local Y who convinced me to try swimming again. It was a life-changing experience. Swimming with FCR was empowering a and joyous. They inspired me to get back to triathlon and enter many swimming races.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • IronGirl
  • AC Sprint Tri
  • Philadelphia Independence Tri
  • other sprint tri’s
  • Frozen Hare, Harvest Hare, Swim Fest
  • Dramatically improved swim time thanks to FCR

Rayna Kratchman

I ran cross country and track and field at Temple University where my love for endurance sports began. I took a lifeguard class my senior year and essentially learned how to swim as an adult. That summer I raced my first triathlon, and as they say the rest is history. Outside of sports I am a lifelong Philadelphian and incredibly passionate about food. You can find me cooking and hiking with my dog and husband in the Wiss when not training or racing.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • 2019 qualified and competed in 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France.
  • Long course races and many sprints/ Olympics.
  • Doing the Medford lakes tri this past summer with my husband as his first triathlon and achieving my goal of 3rd overall female.
  • Completed several open water races including the race series at the river, Cedar Island 5k, and the Bender swim as part of a relay.

Bill Conn

For Bill, French Creek Racing is about so much more than training and racing — it’s about connecting with a community of like-minded people who support each other in and out of the water. Bill is U.S. Masters and former Division I swimmer who is now focused on bringing the love of the sport to fellow swimmers of all ages and abilities. When not in the pool, you’ll find him swimming in rivers, lakes, and oceans, running the occasional marathon or ultra, or wrangling a bunch of bees as a backyard beekeeper.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Bender Memorial Swim, 2-time finisher
  • Philadelphia Marathon, 3-time finisher
  • Swam from the Golden Gate to Bay Bridge

Ivan Puskovitch

I’m a member of the United States Open Water National Team and longtime friend/training partner of FCR owner John Kenny. I’ve been competing in FCR open water events since 2015.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • USA Open Water National Team Member
  • World Championship Open Water Swimmer
  • FCR Open Water Series Winner

John Shoen

Lifelong swimmer and lifeguard for over 30 years.  I’ve been swimming with FCR for about 10 years.  I run a full-time safety company teaching CPR, First Aid and Lifeguarding.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • IM Atlantic City 70.3 2022, Relay 2023
  • Lums Pond Olympic 2022
  • Tri AC Olympic 2022
  • Maggie Fisher Cross Bay 10k 2023
  • Charles Bender 10K 2023

Denise Escher

Denise started with FCR in 2019 as a budding triathlete, attending coached swim and open water clinics and swim race events and never looked back. She attended tri camp under John Kenny in the Finger Lakes prior to completing her first 70.3 distance triathlon in 2021. Denise enjoys spending time with other athletes, snuggling with her fur babies and watching her sons grow into adulthood.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Philadelphia Half Marathon
  • Love Run Half Marathon
  • Marine Corps marathon
  • Ironman 70.3 Musselman
  • Ironman 70.3 Muncie

Michele McCandless

I am happy to be a FCR Ambassador for the second year in a row.  I am a USAT Associate Coach. I am also lifeguard certified by Shoen Safety. You will see me pool side coaching our Master swimmers at Lawrence Park Swim Club and Villanova University.  I am also a certified group fitness and personal trainer, and currently lead strength training classes at Ellis Athletic Center, and lead strength training sessions for FCR and STC members.  I also enjoy endurance open water swims along the Jersey Shore.  I started my triathlon career at age 57 and I feel that I have many more years of swim, bike, run, to enjoy.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Completed Ironman in Maryland, at the age of 62.
  • Tri AC
  • Tri the Wildwoods
  • IMAC 70.3

Ron Ritter

I’ve been recreationally cycling and winter mountaineering as an adult. I planned to hike the Appalachian trail when a surprise company acquisition meant losing the personal leave benefit, I would need to do it. Then I turned my attention to endurance cycling, challenging myself with rides of up to 280 miles in 2 days. That has evolved into wondering what else I’m capable of. I took on a half marathon with no training, and 2023 brought me to multisport and the French Creek Racing ecosystem. I’ve recently completed USAT Associate coaching program and am considering taking on USAT’s Level 1 program.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Completing 1 sprint and 2 Olympic triathlon races in 2023

Kristie Bruno

About five years ago, I decided to take the deep dive into triathlon training.  I enjoy meeting new people, learning from others, and attending events with teammates.  I’ve been involved with FCR the past couple of years.  I have participated in the OWS swim races, the Harvest Hare, and Frozen Hare events.  I’ve also volunteered at the triathlon, swim fest, and the Bender swim.  I’m really excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a FCR ambassador!

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Broad Street Run
  • Rehoboth Half Marathon
  • Love Run Half Marathon
  • Harvest Hare
  • Frozen Hare
  • Steelman Sprint
  • Upper Dublin Triathlon Sprint
  • Queen of Prussia 10 K

Kari Andreasan

Kari is an open water ultramarathon swimmer, masters swimmer, and part-time runner. She has been racing with FCR since 2019 and training with the open water group in the Schuylkill since 2020. Kari recently joined in on the Tuesday morning pool sessions coached by co-ambassador Rob Bedford.

When not in the water, Kari is at home caring for her adopted rescue and foster animals.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Sixteen marathon swims
  • 28.5 mile 20 Bridges Swim around Manhattan
  • 21.3 mile length of Lake Tahoe

Danielle Moore

Danielle is an endurance athlete local to the Philadelphia area. She began her triathlon journey in 2019, and started training with FCR in 2021. Danielle is a three time 5k swimmer and aiming to complete her first 70.3 in 2024. She’s excited to be on the French Creek Racing team for a second year and is passionate about bringing new athletes into endurance/multi-sport.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • 3x 5k swimmer
  • 6x half marathoner
  • Winner of 2021 Best Crest Swim Fest 1/4 mile swim/women’s record holder

Michala Davis

Michala is a lifelong athlete playing collegiate softball at Syracuse University as well as competing in Crossfit competitions, Spartan Races, and various other endurance events. This will be her first triathlon season in 2024 with the ultimate goal of racing in Ironman 70.3 North Carolina. She is excited to be a French Creek Ambassador for the 2024 Season and to be apart of the French Creek Racing community!

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Festivus Crossfit Games Novice 1st Place
  • 2-Time Spartan Beast Finisher, 2-Time Spartan Sprint Finisher
  • Syracuse Softball Record Holder
  • More to come in 2024!

Rob Bedford

Rob is from Philadelphia and has a competitive swimming background. He was an All-American and 1984 US Olympic Trials qualifier at the University of South Carolina where he was a grad asst. coach. More recently Rob is a top 10 US Masters swimmer and defending SCM sprint Nation Champion in Freestyle and Backstroke. Rob is a founding Board member of the iSwim4 Foundation which helps people recover from alcohol and substance abuse disorders via swimming and fellowship.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • Still racing in my 60’s is an achievement!
  • Top 10 US Masters in all four strokes.
  • Hold several Del Val Masters records.
  • Co-defending champion Harvest Hare 5k!
  • Swam on Maui Channel and Catalina Channel OW relay

Diane McManus

Wild and crazy college English teacher, published writer, and poet turned to endurance sports for what they could teach and morphed from runner to swimmer. After getting hooked on master’s swimming, I participated in several different master’s swim groups, i i found French Creek Racing to be just the right fit. It’s been almost ten years since that first practice with John Kenny, and I’m grateful every day that i joined, not only for the great coaching but for the lasting friendships.

Racing Accomplishments:

  • 9 finishes, Great South Bay Swim (Fire Island to Long Island (NY)
  • Extensive master’s meets, and even tried the 200 fly (timed with sundial)
  • 2 8-mile Bender Swim finishes (+2 attempts), one relay, one 5k, and 2 6-milers
  • 24- hour relay, San Francisco CA
  • Spuyten Duyvil 10k Swim (NYC)
  • 11-mile swim around Cape May with John Kenny kayaking
  • 10k swim in Lake Memphremagog, Newport VT
  • 10-mile Swim the Suck finish, Chattanooga, TN
  • Ice swim meet, Lake Memphremagog, 3 finishes: 25m each
  • 5-mile swim in furiously choppy and windy Lake Willoughby near Newport VT

Lelané Rossouw-Bancroft

Lelané (Lanie), was born and raised on the east coast of South Africa. Although she did not grow up swimming competitively, Lanie decided to join a masters swim group in 2007 and since then hasn’t looked back! Having to swim in the cold Atlantic ocean, Lanie’s love for cold water swimming grew fast. Lanie has been living in the USA since 2009 & currently resides in Newark, DE with her hubby Jay. Lanie taught swim lessons and coached swim team at her local YMCA for 8 years. Lanie is currently pursuing her degree in Textile design & Printmaking. She is an avid member at the Newark Arts Alliance where she also teaches Linocut printmaking classes. When Lanie isn’t swimming, painting or baking, she likes to cheer on her fellow athletic friends and celebrate their achievements with them! She looks forward to being an ambassador for French Creek Racing in 2024 where she hopes to create a nurturing environment for all athletes. 

Racing Accomplishments:

  • 5 mile Robben Island Crossing, Cape Town, South Africa (Solo)
  • 2 mile Pennock Island Challenge, Ketchikan, Alaska, USA
  • Delaware Bay Crossing (Solo) Cape May, NJ to Rehoboth, DE, USA (First woman to cross the Delaware Bay)
  • 10 mile Kingdom Swim, Newport, Vermont, USA
  • 4 mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, Maryland, USA
  • International Ice Swimming Association Ice Mile, Avalon, NJ (Solo)
  • Memphremagog Winter Swim Festival, Newport, Vermont
  • 6 mile Bender swim, French Creek Racing

French Creek Racing Ambassador Program

Our ambassadors are athletes who inspire and encourage others and are active in their local communities. The participate and volunteer at events, and are active on social media. The French Creek Racing Ambassador team is open to anyone training and racing at any level, any distance. If you love endurance sports, are enthusiastic about training and racing and can encourage others to join you, we want you on our team!

What do we look for?

Ambassadors are members of the swimming and multi-sport community who live an active lifestyle. They are coaches, bloggers, motivators, and athletes who love to train and race. They will enthusiastically promote French Creek Racing events as their preferred races and are active across social media to help us spread the word. Ambassadors are also athletes who are active in their swimming and multi-sport clubs/groups.

Requirements

  1. Promote French Creek Racing brand and races to athletes via social media, and word of mouth.
  2. Promote French Creek Racing to clubs or individuals.
  3. Participate in a minimum of 4 French Creek Racing events in 2024.
  4. Volunteer at a minimum of 4 French Creek Racing events in 2024.
  5. Encouraged to participate in course preview runs or rides.
  6. Able to recruit volunteers for events via social media, community contacts, and word of mouth.
  7. Make a reasonable effort to promote French Creek Racing brand by wearing FCR clothes at non-FCR races and training sessions.

Perks

  • Free entry into French Creek Racing events.
  • Discount code that can be shared with friends and family to increase participation at events.
  • Custom TEAM shirt and hat.
  • Option to purchase custom TEAM kits and other swag.
  • Announced as a member of the 2024 Ambassador Team via social media and website.
  • Free Schuylkill Triathlon Club Membership