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Tom Puzak (Team captain):
Lest he be outdone by his triathlon buddies who began dabbling in adventure racing, Tom began orienteering and adventure racing after finishing law school. When not at work, playing with his dog Rosie, admiring himself in the mirror, or fixing up his house, Tom can be found training for Adventure Racing every chance he gets. Tom came from a triathlon and mountain bike racing background. He has competed in triathlons for almost 10 years, from sprint to half-iron man distance. Tom is always educating himself about the best ways to train, eat, and have fun doing it.
“Adventure racing is the best sport. Ever. I can do my favorite things together with my favorite people, and make new favorite people. Its also the best way to satiate my gear fetish.
“I learned everything I know about Adventure Racing from the Minnesota Orienteering Club, Jesse Owens’s legacy, and from Wedali. Wedali has been awesome, they really took us under their wings and taught us how to be fast. They are awesome competitors that are always willing to give advice, lend some gear, and teach the tricks of the trade. Also, I won’t sleep sound until one day we just bury them out there.”
Danielle Pellicano:
Danielle is a coach, former professional athlete and entrepreuer. She owns her own body coaching practice and specializes in triathlon and endurance coaching.
After growing up with 4 brothers in New York Danielle became an All-American soccer player at UCSC and remains their all team leading goal scorer. She moved onto playing professional ball for the Minnesota Thunder before hanging up her cleats to become the successful and well respected coach she is now. She lives in the Twin Cities area and competes throughout the nation.
Today, she coaches the Gilboa Development Ski Team, Minnesota Thunder players, various Division 1 athletes, endurance athletes of all abilities, and youth soccer players. She is also active in her own personal athletic pursuits including an upcoming Ironman triathlon, adventure races and triathlons throughout the midwest, and other demanding endurance pursuits nationwide.
Andrew Kroese:
Andrew is the youngest, yet most veteran member of the team. He brings experience and talent to the squad in droves. On the bike, he produces watts like Chernobyl. An elite cyclist on the road and on his mountain bike, he primarily focuses his energies on endurance mountain bike races nationwide with top finishes at Leadville and the Chequamegon Fat 40 last year. His knowledge of racing and training at a high level are big help to 24SEVEN. Andrew is also an elite XC skier, with top finishes at the American Birkebeiner, and sleeper, with weekend alarms going off close to noon on many of his days off.
Kelly Brinkman:
Kelly comes from a colored career as a Division 1 runner at Iowa State. Kelly is still an elite runner, winning local full and half marathons more or less at will in her free time. She signed up for the very hilly Stillwater marathon last week on a whim and won it in 3:11. She is an avid runner and adventure athlete as the change of pace from running towards biking, paddling and ropes challenges and interests her more and more.
Dylan Wiek:
Dylan’s stong six foot three inch tall frame might not look like an elite runner’s frame but his sub three hour Boston marathon proves otherwise. Dylan is an incredible athlete, pushing the limits of endurance to drop-jaw levels. He recently signed up for a 24 hour Running race in which he ran 93.3 miles straight. Dylan’s positive attitude provides valuable comic relief in the woods. He is a great team member and is always welcome to race with the 24SEVEN crew.
Andrei Karpov:
Andrei is a new member, but brings years and years of navigation experience to the team. He has been training on the map since he was 12. Growing up in St. Petersburg Russia, he trained all summer in the woods and his experience shows, he can run on the map like he was born with it. His dedication to the sport is making him a brilliant addition to the squad.
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