The Team

BEN TRAN - Founder of Tri Inland Northwest.
Race Name: the invASIAN*
The Gears: Cannondale Slice, SRAM, Giro, Newton, Xterra, Quintana Roo

Ben is also the Creative Director + Founder of Tran Creative, a Brand Design + Marketing firm in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Prior to moving to the Inland Northwest and establishing Tran Creative in 2006, Ben has worked with several ad/design agencies, including Landor - one of the largest + most well-known brand agencies in the world. After nearly 20 years of living and surfing the waves of Huntington Beach in Southern California, Ben now resides in Coeur d'Alene with his wife & their 4 kids. He picked up triathlon in 2008 and fell in love with the sport ever since. Triathlon is now one of his passions in life besides his family & business. He is a 2x Ironman at Coeur d'Alene & Arizona.

DAVE ERICKSON - Contributing Writer + Reporter of Tri Inland Northwest.
Race Name: the News Guy*
The Gears: Cervelo P2, TIMEX, Rudy Project

Dave Erickson is a 2x Ironman finisher and Ironman Triathlon Reporter. He's also the former evening News Anchor for KXLY4 HD News in Spokane. Born and raised in the Northwest, Dave has more than 15 years of experience as a broadcast journalist. 

In 2009 he spent two weeks in Iraq embedded with members of Washing Army National Guard and in July of 2010 traveled to Port au Prince, Haiti with the family of a Washington woman killed in the earthquake. Other assignments include reporting in Kona for the 2009 and 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship. 

Dave has a great passion for Triathlon and can be seen either competing or shooting video at races throughout the Inland Northwest and beyond. Dave races for Tri-Fusion.

BRIAN HADLEY - Contributing Writer + Reporter of Tri Inland Northwest.
Race Name: the Philosopher, Silver Bullet*
The Gears: Scott Plasma 20, LG Rocket

Brian Hadley is the veteran on the Tri Inland Northwest team. He entered the triathlon scene nearly a decade ago. Since then, he has captured many wins and titles. If you're ever at the Coeur d'Alene City Hall, you will see his name all over the award plagues as the fastest local triathlete in Ironman Coeur d'Alene. Most recently at Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2010, Brian came in 1st in one of the most competitive age groups, M35-39, with a time of 9:24:21. You may witness the victory with Brian's famous winning picture printed on the front page of the Coeur d'Alene Press. Brian will be racing as a PRO with the other ELITE athletes at next year's Ironman. Besides being a Six-Time Ironman, he is also a husband and a father.

DANIEL SHAW - Contributing Writer + Reporter of Tri Inland Northwest.
Race Name: Danimal*
The Gears: Brooks, Blue Seventy

Daniel Shaw is one of the top local distance runners in the Inland Northwest and one of the up-and-coming elite triathletes. He has been a coach and teacher for the past 4 years. He holds the current Colorado State Marathon record and has 5 marathon wins under his belt. Daniel is an engineer, a husband, a father, and an Ironman.

DEREK GARCIA - Contributing Writer + Reporter of Tri Inland Northwest.
Race Name: the Latin Hurricane*
The Gears: Orbea, Zipp, Giro Rocket, Blue Seventy, Zoot

Derek Garcia is a USAT Level I coach, Kona qualifier, husband and father of two boys. He is also the founder of Derek Garcia Multisports. He is always a threat to podium at any distance triathlon and brings that same level of excellence when coaching. Raised in the Northwest, Derek believes there is an advantage in being able to train in a variety of terrain and weather that the northwest provides. He believes strongly that the relationships built and quality of life that come from training and racing are the best reasons to be in the sport. Derek is enjoying a successful year in 2010, winning several races. He had an excellent performance at the recent Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2010, excellent enough to say, "Aloha, Derek! You are an Ironman! And you're heading to Kona for the 2010 Ironman World Championships!". Recently, Derek finished the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii with a time of 9:48.

SCOTT CHESROWN - Contributing Writer + Reporter of Tri Inland Northwest.
Race Name: Coming Soon*
The Gears: Trek Equinox TTX 9.9, HED, Bontrager, Giro Rocket, Newton, Blue Seventy

Scott is a real estate broker who lives and trains in Coeur d'Alene. Scott is a graduate from the University of San Diego as well as Gonzaga University where he received his Master's in Leadership in 2009 and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Leadership. Scott fell in love with triathlon in early 2009 when he entered a series of races to get back into shape. Since then, Scott has competed in multiple Sprint, Olympic, Half-Iron and Ironman distance races including most recently Ironman Canada in August of 2010. Since Scott began training in April 2009, he has lost nearly 60 lbs by following proper fueling and nutrition protocols.

BRYAN THOMPSON, D.P.M. - Contributing Writer + Reporter of Tri Inland Northwest.
Race Name: Coming Soon*
The Gears: Trek 2100, Bell, New Balance, 2XU

Dr. Thompson is the founder of Inland Northwest Foot & Ankle. Dr. T’s practice includes: simple and complex foot and ankle surgery; all aspects of conservative care, including injections and custom orthotics; minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery; foot and ankle trauma care and treatment of pediatric foot and ankle disorders. He boasts of marrying way above himself, having the best staff in the inland northwest, and sporting bright and entertaining children. He has done a handful of triathlon events and is eyeing Ironman Coeur d'Alene in the near future.

KAREN SHIRLEY - Contributing Writer + Reporter of Tri Inland Northwest.
Race Name: Catchu On Da Run*
The Gears: Trek, Specialized, Blue Seventy, Zoot

Karen Shirley is an avid runner. That explains her race name of "Catch You On The Run". She may be behind after the swim and bike, but you better be fast before she will catch you on the run. She currently coaches the group No Boundaries, a run clinic offered at Fleet Feet, to get people off the couch to their first 5K race. Karen finds great joy in seeing others achieve higher fitness goals. She got into triathlon after watching the swim start during Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2005. Karen has competed in many races. Recently, she won 1st in her Age Group at the Inaugural Priest Lake Olympic Triathlon. Karen currently resides in Hayden with her husband Chuck. She is an Office Manager at the Coeur d'Alene Resort, a wife, and an Ironman.

JEFFREY LARSON - Contributing Writer + Reporter of Tri Inland Northwest.
Race Name: the Blurrr*
The Gears: Trek, LiveStrong, Zipp, Giro, LG

A board certified neurosurgeon on staff at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Dr. Jeffrey Larson is the founder of Coeur d'Alene Spine and Brain, PLLC. Dr. Larson devotes his medical practice exclusively to the treatment of disorders of the spine. He is an expert on treatments for serious back and spine problems, such as minimally invasive spine surgery, spine fusion, motion preservation surgery, and complex spinal reconstruction. Dr. Larson has authored over 60 peer reviewed articles, book chapters, abstracts, and presentations. He has won national research awards. He is continuously involved in spine related research and development. Besides spending time in the operating room, he is one of the most well-known cyclists in the area. Most famously, Jeff is the sole owner of one of a few Time Trial Bikes that belonged to Team Lance Armstrong. That's why we call him "The Blurrr". It's challenging to get a good picture of him while he's riding his LIVESTRONG bike, where speed could get up to 40 MPH.

CHERI CALVERT - Web Manager of Tri Inland Northwest.
Race Name: the Victory Harvester*
The Gears: Cannondale Beach Cruiser, Reef Sandals

Cheri has a bachelor's degree in web design and works as the Web Developer for Tran Creative. She is also an author, artist, and independent contractor with her own web design business atCheriCalvert.com. In her spare time Cheri gardens, practices Yoga, and does volunteer work for local non-profit organizations. She believes in the power of personal goal setting along with the rewards of self-discipline. Cheri is not an Ironman.

*Disclaimer:all Race Names are not set in stone. They may vary without notice.