Meet Your Redline Board of Directors

We, as Redline Board members, are here to serve you. We provide information for members, organize group swims, socials, training opportunities, and workouts; engage sponsor support with benefits for members; establish reciprocal relationships with other endurance clubs and organizations; maintain visibility for the club; and procure USAT membership. If you would like to join our Board, please contact Tara Caul or Matt Spence.

Josh Wilsman, Club Manager, Tri Kit Chair  After two years of bike riding and duathlons, I got a friendly push into the pool by a Reline member. In eight months, I went from not being able to swim a lap of the pool to completing a half iron distance triathlon!

My favorite part of the club is the motivation and encouragement from group swims and workouts. New members will find encouragement if they are new to the sport and just hoping to finish their first sprint triathlon or training to complete Ironman events. I try to fit training around my day job as a Structural Engineer with Excel Engineering. Board member since 2020

Richard Niehueser, Club Manager, Workout and Publicity Coordinator, Wetsuit Rental Organizer   The Redline Tri Club is so much more than the sum of its parts. Real people with real stories of fear, anxiety, triumph, and greatness. It is a privilege to connect with these amazing athletes and share in this journey. Because of them, the crazy workouts we do are so much more bearable, and the best part is being able to text someone and say, Hey, let’s go for a swim, bike or run – it’s just like being a kid again! My favorite Triathlon is Door County where you will find me running with my cowboy hat cheering right back at the crowd that lines the course.

My most memorable experience was that first Ironman with friends and family in the crowd. A close second was the 23 Jellyfish stings, 5 stingrays and shark sighting while competing in Florida.

But how did I get here? After a decade and 9 National appearances representing Wisconsin as a High Power and Sniper rifle competitor were I took bronze, silver and Gold, I was ready for my next challenge. So, after a Redline member talked me into it, I began my Triathlon journey and did my first Ironman 70.3, and then Age Group Nationals in Ohio and two full Ironmans in Madison and Panama City.  I have done a Duathlon, and a Biathlon, and in 2022 I took up mountaineering and summited my first 14 thousand foot peak. “Come join our team and let us inspire you, or better yet, come and inspire me.” Board member since 2018

Kristine Brasser, Membership Co-Chair and Treasurer   The shared knowledge, group swims, and cycling are some of my favorite things about being a Redline member.

My first triathlon was the Elkhart Lake Sprint in 2014. My favorite triathlon moment was crossing the finish line of my first Half Ironman in 2016.

A funny triathlon moment was when I raced a sprint triathlon with the temperature in the mid-30s at the start of the swim. I could finally feel my toes mid-run! At the time, I did not think it was funny or fun, but now I look back and just laugh at the craziness of it all. Board member since 2016

Lynn Strauss, Past Club Manager, Advisor   I appreciate the camaraderie and support from fellow Redline members and watching them succeed. Triathlon is a sport that continuously challenges us and yet it is a great parallel in how we live our lives. Nothing makes me more proud than seeing Redline members out there giving it their all and cheering each other on. My first triathlon (2003) was at Elkhart Lake with my mountain bike. Despite the extra effort on those hills that day, I fell in love with the support and the people who are drawn to triathlon. My first Ironman Wisconsin finish is the highlight of my tri experiences. A funny moment happened during my first triathlon. People were calling out my name cheering for me and I thought how cool is that they know my name (not realizing my name was on the bib). Board member since 2003  

Evelyn McLean-Cowan, Webmaster and Publicity Chair   I love the challenges and goals of triathlons. Most importantly, I love the camaraderie; I have met some of the nicest people. Because we share this common interest and spend time together training and encouraging each other, Redliners have become some of my best friends.

I joined Redline in 2005 after my doctor, a Redline member, said he was seeing me too often for running-related injuries and that I should be cross-training. I started out with the winter Saturday morning swims and by spring, Redline members were encouraging me to try cycling.

I have so many memorable triathlon moments. I watched the fish beneath me during the ocean swim in the ITU World Aquathlon in Cozumel, Mexico. My husband, daughter, son-in-law, and Bob, a Redline member were there cheering for me. I’ve had the opportunity to compete in ITU World age-group sprint triathlon and aquathlon championships in Canada, The Netherlands, and Spain. I’ve gone to USAT Nationals in Omaha and Cleveland. Milwaukee will be having Nationals for the sixth time in 2023. It’s great having a national event in Wisconsin; our youngest son showed up in at least eight different spots on the course to cheer me on and take pictures.

My funniest triathlon moment was at the Green Lake Triathlon when I realized that I had one cycling shoe and one running shoe on as I was leaving T2! Board member since 2007

Mike Peachy, Webmaster Assistant  I became a Redline member after hearing about all of the events, training, guidance, and encouragement. The group wasn’t about finishing in first, but to finish YOUR first. You have to start somewhere and six months after joining, I completed my first triathlon—a Half Ironman. Redline is not limited to the elite age group athlete. Anyone, at any age, can be part of Redline. It’s a group I plan to be with and raise my kids around. 

I joined in 2018 after I had connected with another member while working. His knowledge and encouragement got me to join. I had finished a few half marathons and did Race the Lake, but wanted to get into triathlons. 

Funny moment—I had never used a wetsuit before, so I rented one from Attitude Sports. I met a couple members at Wolf Lake for my first-ever open water swim in a wetsuit. I put that thing on and was very eager to go. Wasn’t sure why I was getting funny looks until someone asked why I chose to wear the wetsuit backwards. 

My most memorable moment would not only be finishing my first triathlon (Half Ironman), with a better time than I expected—it was the entire race. It was experiencing support from the community and other members; those who didn’t even participate in the race, but made the trip down just to cheer on and take photos of the Redliners in the race. It’s a tough event and just when you’re ready to walk, someone is there cheering you on (plus you don’t want pictures of yourself walking during a race :p ). Board member since 2020

Ken Hrabe, Growth and Retention Chair  What I enjoy about triathlons is … everything: the people,  competition,  training, nutrition,  gear, race morning, finish line, and everything in between. I have met so many people through the sport. By also introducing others to triathlon, I enjoy watching their progression, passion, and love of such a great sport grow.

I have been involved in sports (football, wrestling, rugby, softball, running, …) my whole life, however, triathlon was something that a friend convinced me to try.  I had been swimming recreationally since I was a kid but had no competitive or open-water swimming experience. I hadn’t biked since I was a kid cruising around on a Huffy, and hadn’t run more than the length of a football field in years. My friend’s persistence wore me down and in July 2014, I borrowed one of his bikes and did my first Sprint Tri in Stevens Point.

My most memorable experience is my very first triathlon. I showed up at the race with no experience and no training and a borrowed bike and tri kit.  I remember a combination of side stroking and backstroking in the water just to survive. The run was my strongest discipline at the time and wasn’t horrible except when I finished and realized I was chafed in places I didn’t think could chafe. I can remember thinking, why would anyone want to do this to themselves?! I had no experience, none of the right equipment, and my body hurt everywhere. I thought for sure I’d never do one again! That thought lasted about a minute and I fell completely in love with the sport!  Board member since 2022

Tara Caul, Member at Large, Casual Clothing Coordinator   Why become a member of Redline? Because it’s amazing! If you are looking for camaraderie, motivation, and inspiration, then Redline is the place for you. Not only can Redline members provide you with lifelong training partners and support, but they also have the combined knowledge of countless years of training and triathlon to help you reach whatever goals you are striving for.

Four years ago, I joined Redline at the very beginning of my triathlon journey. I had just finished post-surgical rehabilitation after hip surgery and wanted to challenge myself with a big goal; why not learn how to swim and complete a sprint triathlon? Coming from a running background, I didn’t know how to swim and hadn’t been on a bike in years. That year, I learned how to swim and ride a road bike, all with the support of countless Redline members. Some of my favorite memories from that year were swimming at Elkhart Lake with other Redliners and overcoming my fear of lake swimming. After that first year, I went on to complete multiple sprint triathlons, an Olympic triathlon, and three 70.3 triathlons. The journey has been incredible! My favorite race memory would have to be at last year’s Madison 70.3. We started the swim in a torrential downpour. The waves were huge! I remember standing in the mud, huddled under a garbage bag, waiting for my wave to get in the water. It was dark and freezing! After completing that swim, I felt like I could accomplish anything. The icing on the cake was slipping and sliding into transition because everything had turned into a mud bath. So much fun! Board member since 2018

Courtney Bartlett, Member at Large   Having been a long time distance runner, I was looking for different ways to train to lessen the amount of injuries that I was having and start cross training. I have always liked swimming, but cycling was not one of my favorite pastimes, until a Redline friend asked me to join them in a triathlon. I instantly fell in love. From doing my first few tris on a hybrid bike to now having a road bike and completing several sprint distance triathlons and one 70.3, I love the sport of triathlon—including cycling!! One of the reasons I love running and now triathlon, is the camaraderie among the participants. No matter what ability level or age, someone is always there to make you better than you were yesterday. Someone is there to lift you up during those tough times during training and racing. I joined Redline for just that reason. All of the members are here to make you better and to share their knowledge and experience. They welcome everyone with open arms.

Heather Barnes, Membership Co-Chair   In 2003, a dear friend of mine told me, “We are doing a triathlon!” My response…”A triathala-what??” The journey has been a blast! From Accenture as my first tri in Chicago in Lake Michigan, and scaling up distances to Ironmans (IMWI) by 2006, these events draw a unique group of people that keep me coming back for more no matter the distance. Triathlon is a welcoming sport, where camaraderie and social time fit in with training with like-minded people. These triathletes, from all walks of life, and all levels of experience, from mentors to new members, are simply inspiring. They are sincerely funny, friendly, driven, kind, dedicated, focused, and are tri-family. 

Funny moments? I can think of too many. Hmm…at a race at Lake Geneva, in transition after the swim, I was standing, peeling my wetsuit down my legs to yank my feet out, lost balance, hopped, “I got it,” hopped, lost it, and fell over in a tangle of rubber. Cackling by friends ensued.

Inspiring moments? I love swimming with newer members who often panic in the open water group swims in Elkhart Lake. As one who has known panic, it’s satisfying mentoring them and addressing their self-talk to where they teach themselves to overcome that anxiety, and begin to enjoy that facet of what we do. Elkhart Lake is my favorite place to swim.

As a board, we are happy to answer any questions, assist, guide and mentor, and we will share our passion for this crazy and fun sport! I may do that with great enthusiasm. Board member since 2006

Thank you to former Redline Board members: Bill Mahlik, Tami Gabrielse, Jeff Trepanier, Lisa Robson, Paul Gurzyinski, Bob Wojcik, Susan Morris, Matt Spence, and Dave and Laurie Pieper. We remember Jim Fahrbach, one of the founders of the club and a board member for many years, who passed away in 2022.