100 Wins

The Sport Factory celebrates a monumental achievement-- 100 overall victories! From Adventure Racing to Xterra, The Sport Factory team members and coached athletes have taken home the top gold in a very eclectic variety of endurance sports. Overall wins include the sports of road racing, time trialing/cycling, cyclo-cross, triathlon, duathlon, off road triathlon, trail running, adventure racing, and mountain biking. In addition to local titles, the wins are comprised of State Championship titles, Regional titles, National Championship titles, and a World Championship title. They include both professional and amateur victories. The 100th win was achieved by 17 year old Matt Schaefer, coached by Sam Morgan, at the Mistletoe Triathlon. Matt's win was followed by two more the same week end. Matt received $100 coaching credit for his efforts.

The Sport Factory takes a holistic approach to developing excellence by offering a wide variety of endurance sport resources under one umbrella. These include custom coaching, video analysis, VO2 and performance testing, SICI certified bike fitting, swim instruction, sports medicine and massage, sports nutrition, and strength/speed/agility training. “All of these entities have to work together and communicate with one another in order to bring out the very best in an athlete” says Head Coach Matt Russ. “Each coach operates with autonomy, but we work together in a collaborative, team approach whenever possible to pool resources, experience, and expertise for the benefit of our coached athletes.” The approach seems to be working. Because of its extensive and unique offering, The Sport Factory recently became one of five USA Triathlon Certified Performance Centers in the country, boasting a full-service, on-site training center, as well as serving as a “breeding ground” for top junior talent.

The teams program is comprised of an all-inclusive Club Team, Age Group Team, Elite Team, Junior Elite Team, and Off Road Team. Although the majority of the podium wins have been in the sport of triathlon, Team Sport Factory welcomes all endurance sports. “We are most proud of our coaching scholarship program. This program provides a high level of resources to help develop exceptional athletes. Many of these athletes are under 18 years old and have already placed overall in large events. The program clearly works,” says Russ. Each team acts as a feeder program for the next. Some athletes have moved from the Club, to Age Group, to Elite team, receiving additional support as they progress.

The Sport Factory strives to maintain a level of coaching ability and excellence above the rest of the industry. All Sport Factory coaches must pass a competency exam designed by Elite Coach Matt Russ as a part of their application into the coaching program. Additionally, coaches must be licensed by the national governing body of their sport before taking on athletes. Once accepted, they must undergo a mentorship and training program under a level II coach, as well as achieve their own level II license within the time allotted by the governing body. Coaches must be actively involved in the community, support the overall mission, work with at least one junior or scholarship athlete, and assist with The Sport Factory’s dedicated philanthropy -- My First Bike (www.myfirstbike.org).

The first sponsored athlete and impetus for the teams program was Amy Kloner. Working with Elite Coach Matt Russ, Amy was able to achieve two National Championship titles and a World Championship title in a single season. She has since moved into the pro ranks, achieving several wins and podiums as a professional triathlete. Amy is now The Sport Factory’s Marketing Director and one of sixteen Sport Factory coaches.

Sport Factory coached athletes have in some cases, swept the podium in races on both sides- male and female, and achieved hundreds of category placements, National and World Championship qualifications, and PR’s. “The biggest myth we have to dispel is that we are a coaching company solely for elite or performance athletes. Most of our clients are beginners and age group athletes that simply want to make the best use of their time, live a healthy lifestyle, and prevent injury. Some of our clients have lost over 100 pounds and completely changed their lifestyle. It is as gratifying to witness these transformations as it is to have an athlete on the podium,” says Russ.

The Sport Factory has already developed national, even world class talent but has it sights set on one day producing an Olympic hopeful. They are working closely with the governing bodies at the Olympic Training Centers to utilize their systems and methods within their own training center.