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City Chase USA National Championships Profiles

The 2008 City Chase USA Series traveled the country from coast to coast with over 10,000 participants. The winning teams of two are now headed to the City of New Orleans to see who will represent Team USA at the World Championships in Morocco.
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Team Philadelphia - 2008 US National Champions
Eric and Marty met during a "wing eating contest" at their apartment complex and founded a connection through their competitive spirit. Their favorite ChasePoint in Philly was Nude Bowling at Lucky Strike because it was... amusing, to say the least. Both are excited for the higher level of competition and the chance to go to Morocco.


Name: Eric Penney

Birthdate: 4/11/1978

Birthplace: Albany, NY

Nickname: Penney, it's easy and its my last name.

Relationship Status: Single

Profession: Commercial Real Estate

Favorite Hobby: Anything Sports-related

Greatest Accomplishment: Surviving to 30... hopefully!

Greatest Strength: Competitiveness

Greatest Weakness: Food, I can't stop myself!

Teammates Greatest Weakness: He smokes

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? Team Chicago, Vynessa looks hot in her picture!

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? Boston, that city has won enough already.

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? We consulted with Captain Morgan.

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? Light jogging and rum

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Me, I get flustered easily.

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? Smack him!

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Starvation...

Favorite City Chase moment? Crossing the Finish Line in First Place... twice!

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? 10 days in Vegas with no sleep
 
Biggest Fear: Failure

     


Name: Martin Henry

Birthdate: 7/1/1973

Birthplace: Kittanning, PA
 
Nickname: The Mayor. I'm the Mayor at Summit Park.

Relationship Status: Engaged
 
Profession: Manager- Wells Fargo

Favorite Hobby: Playing Poker

Greatest Accomplishment: 13+ successful years on the same job after college

Greatest Strength: Problem-solving

Greatest Weakness: Gambling

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Blondes and chicken wings

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? Mike & Brian from Seattle. I feel sorry for them missing out on the celebration of a Super Bowl victory in 2005....when my Steelers won their 5th title. Maybe a City Chase victory will ease their pain.

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? Jeff & Sandro... The Patroits.

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? I have no idea... just think on the fly!!

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? A little... just some running.

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Eric. I have more patience.

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? Do what I need to do to pick him up & keep going.

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? A hurricane

Favorite City Chase moment? Naked bowling at Lucky Strike

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? City Chase
 
Biggest Fear: Losing
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Team Atlanta
Sean and Ed are two friends from Atlanta who met while working in the same lab at Georgia Tech together. Ed is looking forward to getting to know a new city (the secret National Championship City) in a totally original way! They missed out on the climbing wall due to the long line, but won't have that problem in the National Race when there's only 7 other teams to compete against!


Name: Sean Coyer

Birthdate: 12/4/1978

Birthplace: Dayton

Nickname: don't have one

Relationship Status: Single

Profession: PhD Candidate

Favorite Hobby: outdoor sports

Greatest Accomplishment: Stayin' alive

Greatest Strength: Determination

Greatest Weakness: Being a perfectionist

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Boyish good looks

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? Don't know any of the other teams. Chicago - representin' the hometown.

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? n/a

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Focus, think outside the box, and have fun

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? Yes, cardio

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Neither. We're made of steel.

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? Support and motivate

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Death

Favorite City Chase moment? Winning

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? Long distance backpacking

Biggest Fear: Snakes, Scorpions

     
Name: Ed Phelps

Birthdate: 7/30/1984

Birthplace: Knoxville, TN

Nickname: Ed, short for Edward

Relationship Status: Girlfriend

Profession: Grad Student

Favorite Hobby:hiking, rock climbing

Greatest Accomplishment: Teaching my dog to give a high five

Greatest Strength: Not afraid to try new things

Greatest Weakness: Getting distracted on the Internet

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Tortilla chips

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? San Francisco, thats a cool town

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? Any of those Northern teams, I can't stand Yankees

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? run fast?

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? You ever seen Rocky? Thats not me.

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Neither. We're both pretty laid back

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? I'll have to lay the smack down

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Trying to compete with a hangover

Favorite City Chase moment? Sean putting the snake down his shirt

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? Climbing Mont Blanc in early season conditions
 
Biggest Fear: Getting old
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Team San Diego
Lucinda and Mark met while working together. Their favorite ChasePoint in San Diego was the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot challenge. Being fans of "adventure, competition, traveling/exploration"... it's no surprise they made it to the National Championships!


Name: Mark Shields

Birthdate: 9/7/1972

Birthplace: Des Moines, IA

Nickname: Shields - It's my last name.

Relationship Status: Engaged

Profession: Attorney

Favorite Hobby: Camping

Greatest Accomplishment: 50 mile ultramarathon

Greatest Strength: Endurance

Greatest Weakness: My ADD

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Organizational Skills

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? The folks from Chicago seem cool. I'll say them.

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? The Seattle Team - They're attorneys, enough said.

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? One word: Strategery!

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? No, we winged it before & won.We'll wing it again.

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Me. Lucy's tough as nails.

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? I'll smack her upside the head.

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Death by Hurricane

Favorite City Chase moment? Being first to cross the Finish Line in San Diego

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? Solo hike up Mt. Whitney - up and down in a day.

Biggest Fear: Drowning

     


Name: Lucinda Jacobs

Birthdate: 7/3/1974

Birthplace: Pasadena, CA

Nickname: Don't have one

Relationship Status: Single

Profession: Attorney/Educator

Favorite Hobby: Racing my motorcycle

Greatest Accomplishment: My education

Greatest Strength: Tenacity

Greatest Weakness: Holding a grudge

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Being indecisive

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? New York... for the city alone--- since we don't know who won yet :)

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? Seattle- Attorneys are bad news (just ask us!)

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Be adaptable

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? No

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Me... I'm a chick.

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? Laugh

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Injury that forces us out of the race

Favorite City Chase moment? Winning and being given the chance to represent San Diego

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? Bataan Memorial Death March Commemorative Event

Biggest Fear: Shamu
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Team San Francisco
John from Holland, MI and Pat from Rochester, NY met while on a bus to Okinawa, Japan and ended up in San Francisco, CA. Pat is shipping out to Army Basic Training in October so they are looking forward to "some sweet challenges, kicking butt, and making some great memories" at the National Championships before Pat leaves.


Name: John Branderhorst

Birthdate: 1/21/1979

Birthplace:Sumter, SC
 
Nickname: Hayato, jibbers, Jb... different reasons

Relationship Status: Single

Profession: Consultant/ Entrepreneur

Favorite Hobby: Soccer, Triathlons, Marathons

Greatest Accomplishment: Qualifying for Boston Marathon

Greatest Strength: Perseverance

Greatest Weakness: Being Stubborn

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Hard-headedness

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? Don't know any of the other teams.

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? Don't know any of the other teams

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Work together

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? Talking to my partner about the race

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Depends on the challenge.

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? Swift kick to the junk

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? A physical injury

Favorite City Chase moment? Finishing... FIRST

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? A long triathlon

Biggest Fear: Commitment

     


Name: Patrick Ripton

Birthdate: 9/29/1978

Birthplace: n/a

Nickname:  Pat. It is an abbreviation of Patrick.

Relationship Status: Single
 
Profession: Army

Favorite Hobby: Cycling & Running

Greatest Accomplishment: Winning City Chase SF

Greatest Strength: Gentleness

Greatest Weakness: I succeed too much (actually that's a strength!)

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Gets distracted by cute girls

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? I just hope everyone is able to put his all in and enjoy the competition.

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? n/a

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Telepathic synchronization.

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? Not especially

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? There won't be any cracking.

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? Limitless support

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Hoping there will be lots of lost, naked kissing.

Favorite City Chase moment? Jumping into SF Bay to collect water w/ my head

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done?  Half iron man

Biggest Fear: Sharks in the Bay
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Team Boston
Jeffrey and Sandro met while working together and are both financial analysts. Looking forward to the National Championships, they are excited for the intensity of the competition and seeing how the craziness of ChasePoints takes a few steps up.

Name: Jeffrey Chung

Birthdate: 3/2/1985

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

Nickname: Chung. Last name.

Relationship Status: Single

Profession: Financial Analyst

Favorite Hobby: Playing Sports

Greatest Accomplishment: Finishing College?

Greatest Strength: Integrity

Greatest Weakness: Sore left wrist

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Sore right leg

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? Team Seattle. I always liked Seattle

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? Team Chicago. I dunno, I just made that up.

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? All out, all the time

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? Nope

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Equally likely, which means both are pretty likely

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react?Give him a backhand & tell him to get it together.

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Not having fun

Favorite City Chase moment?Getting to the bar (at the Finish Line) and seeing no one else there

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? Soccer Tournament

Biggest Fear: Very large animals 		    
Name: Alessandro Lazzarini

Birthdate: 3/8/1985

Birthplace: Colorado Springs, CO

Nickname: Sandro - shorter than my full name

Relationship Status: Single

Profession: Financial Analyst

Favorite Hobby: Listening to music

Greatest Accomplishment: Friends and Family relationships

Greatest Strength: Perseverance

Greatest Weakness: Being impatient

Teammates Greatest Weakness: He's impatient

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? Seattle - it's a sweet city

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? Chicago - we are 1-0 against them in Boston

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Plan out the route

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? Running/lifting weights

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Neither - we are both solid under pressure

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? Slap him in the face to regain focus

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Effecting myself permanently in a way I don't want

Favorite City Chase moment? Winning

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? Water Polo preseason in college

Biggest Fear: Murky lake bottoms
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Team Seattle
Mike and Brian are brothers and Seattle natives who got to experience the Space Needle in a whole new way, bungee jumping off of it...naked? They are both hoping to experience some of the traditional "Mardi Gras Festivities" that New Orleans has to offer.

Name: Mike Blue

Birthdate: 7/12/1960

Birthplace: McCallen, TX

Nickname: Jake -- no, Ellwood.. we are the Blues Brothers...

Relationship Status: Married/ 3 kids

Profession: Attorney

Favorite Hobby: Triathlons

Greatest Accomplishment: 3 kids. 1 wife.

Greatest Strength: Endurance

Greatest Weakness: Pizza

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Bacon and Donuts

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? Very funny.

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? They know who they are.

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Old age and cunning will triumph over youth and energy

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? How can I train when you are asking all these questions??

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? My partner. He only has 2 children.

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? 5 minute time out in the corner.

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Getting lost kissing a naked stranger in the dark

Favorite City Chase moment? Winning

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? 15 Ironman (individually since 1981)

Biggest Fear: "Losing to these jokers"		     
Name: Brian Blue

Birthdate: 1/5/1964

Birthplace: Wichita Falls, TX

Nickname: n/a

Relationship Status: Married/ 2 kids

Profession: Tax Attorney

Favorite Hobby: Hanging out with my kids

Greatest Accomplishment: my 4 year old's forehand (tennis)

Greatest Strength: Dancing (Voted 2nd Best Dancer in 8th Grade)

Greatest Weakness: Procrastination

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Little chocolate donuts

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? Boston - my favorite band from high school -its more than a feeling

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? Seattle those guys are cocky

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Hope the race date conflicts with other team's schedule

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? Watching Man vs Wild while on the treadmill naked

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Me, I will relish the opportunity to sleep

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? I will go to the nearest beer.

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Getting lost while naked

Favorite City Chase moment? Doing the Can-Can with the old blue haired ladies

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? Ironman Hawaii

Biggest Fear: Being too fearless
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Team Chicago
Vynessa and Meetal met they day that Meetal moved right next door to Vynessa and they have been like brother and sister ever since.  Vynessa's favorite ChasePoint was "caressing a cows utters ever so gently to fill a cup with milk," or maybe it was devouring Duck Feet in Chinatown. Meetal's favorite was watching Vynessa get into the ring with a professional boxer...while hoping she didn't throw up the Duck Feet! They are both looking forward to unique and unexpected ChasePoints in New Orleans and being told the she's going to Africa with her best friend for the World Championship!


Name: Meetal Gandhi

Birthdate: 9/17/1982

Birthplace: Des Plaines, IL
 
Nickname: have over 15, because my name is Meetal

Relationship Status: Single

Profession: Professional Traveler/ Paycation Specialist

Favorite Hobby: Experiencing new things

Greatest Accomplishment: Being in touch with those that I care about

Greatest Strength: Desire

Greatest Weakness: Procrastination

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Procrastination

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win?  i'd like San Francisco to win...2nd place. i think they deserve it :)

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? San Diego, so we can win SD next year

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Sure, after we win

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? Yes, by preparing

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Being that we're almost twins, neither

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react?Surprised
 
Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Injury

Favorite City Chase moment? Seeing Gerry at the end of the race

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? Running a carrera in Spain

Biggest Fear: Spiders, esp hairy/exotic ones!

 

 
Name: Vynessa Diblasio

Birthdate: 8/20/1984

Birthplace: Somerville, NJ

Nickname: Ness: Because my family and friends are lazy :)

Relationship Status: Committed

Profession: Massage
Therapist

Favorite Hobby: surfing, sports, experiencing life

Greatest Accomplishment: Always remaining close with my family... no matter what

Greatest Strength: Passion

Greatest Weakness: Procrastination

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Sometimes he poops his pants

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? I would have to say the team from NY because I'm from NJ and my partner is from NY so I guess it wouldn't be so bad losing to the team from the city I have family and loved ones in :) ... If I must speak hypothetically.

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? (haha, thats harsh) The padres ... They suck :)

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Shhhhhhh... I can't tell you

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? Yes. I eat 7 twinkies, 4 hot dogs and 5 cokes per day.

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? What's Pressure???

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? He won't...
 
Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Getting hit by a bus while crossing the street...

Favorite City Chase moment? Crossing the Finish Line as winners :)

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? Paddling into a 10 ft wave & almost drowning
 
Biggest Fear: Losing someone I love.
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Team New York City
Sean and Ali are an active husband/wife team. Ali is a Fitness Instructor and Sean enjoys playing basketball in his spare time. At the National Championship, Sean is not looking forward to anything involving a public performance and Ali would love to be able to stay away from the Critters (Snakes, Spiders, Scorpions, etc.) Sean was on the Math Team in 5th grade so hopefully those skills will come in handy somehow in New Orleans... you never know.

 
Name: Sean Rivera

Birthdate: 2/2/1975

Birthplace: The Bronx -NYC

Nickname: dont have one

Relationship Status: Married/ 2 kids

Profession: Investor

Favorite Hobby: Playing Basketball

Greatest Accomplishment: My 2 children

Greatest Strength: Problem-solving

Greatest Weakness: Lack of patience

Teammates Greatest Weakness: Food

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? Team with the best Karma

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? Dont know the teams right now

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Focus on one task at a time and never give up

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? No

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Her. Fear of Chase Point task

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? I have no idea

Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Death or injury

Favorite City Chase moment? Finish Line

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? High School Varsity football camp

Biggest Fear:

 


 
Name: Ali Rivera

Birthdate: 4/16/1974

Birthplace: New Brunswick, NJ

Nickname: Ali, it's shorter

Relationship Status: Married/ 1 kid
 
Profession: Personal Fitness Coach

Favorite Hobby: Watching Reality TV

Greatest Accomplishment: NYC Marathon

Greatest Strength: Motivator

Greatest Weakness: Food, I like to eat alot, but not bugs or gross stuff

Teammates Greatest Weakness: He gets loud and rude!

Which team, other than yours, would you like to see win? I don't know the other teams.

Which team would you LEAST like to see win? I don't know the other teams

Strategy to win the City Chase National Championship? Do our BEST and forget the rest.

Are you training for the National Championship? If so, how? Yes. Cardio and strength training

More likely to crack under pressure, you or your partner? Sean. He can lose his temper.

If your partner cracks under pressure, how will you react? I would try to stay calm and to get him calm
 
Worst possible scenario to encounter along the race? Eating something gross

Favorite City Chase moment? The shock of finding out we won!

Most physically challenging thing you've ever done? Natural child birth=no drugs
  
Biggest Fear: