COACHES
Our staff loves what they do, and they know their stuff! Read on to find out more about our team.
Ali Meeks
Coach, Company Owner
Coach Ali Meeks, company owner, is a USA Triathlon and TrainingPeaks certified coach who has worked alongside many athletes toward their goals in the full list of triathlon distances, including Ironman, half Ironman, Olympic distance, and sprint. Her coaching can be described as connected, organized, and peppered with contagious enthusiasm. She especially enjoys coaching those who struggle with swimming. Ali is a former NCAA Div I swimmer and a triathlete and open water swimmer in a myriad of distances, including Ironmans and 10 mile swim races. As wife to husband Kelly and mom to Shirley the wonder dog and 4 horses, she plans to continue her athletic habits until she outlives the competition.
Tom Longino
Coach
Coach Tom Longino is a USA Triathlon certified coach and many-time Ironman who comes from a multisport background of speedskating, football, track, triathlon, and the honor of serving our nation in the U.S. Navy. Tom is a US National and regional team roller speed skating record holder and track champion and an avid all distance triathlete and trail runner. He is a true student of triathlon, always researching about the latest advancements in speed, technology, performance, and elite coaching and applying that information to his athletes. As a coach, he enjoys working with beginner to advanced athletes and is a dedicated youth leader. He is husband to Jodie and father to two young athletes, one of whom is a tae kwon do black belt, so stand back.
Chris Torell
Coach
Coach Chris Torell is a lifelong competitive swimmer, with extensive swimming experience at the age group, Division 1 collegiate and FINA international levels. He was a four year letter winner and captain his senior year at Colgate University. Chris also swam for the St. Croix Dolphins (USVI) and Foxcatcher and Suburban swim clubs in Philadelphia. Chris has coached age group, college and Masters level athletes and his coaching philosophy focuses on correct, safe technique, dedicated practice and race effort and personal motivation tailored to the individual. He holds USA Swimming and YMCA coaching certifications and is a Level I ACSA coach. He resides in Syracuse NY with his wife Lucinda, is a coach for the Skaneateles Lightning and, yes, it snows all the time up there.
Michael Swanson
Coach
Michael Swanson is a lifelong athlete who dabbled in Triathlon in 1989-1991 while serving in the US Army. He was encouraged by some friends to give triathlon a try again in 2016. He has placed in the top three for his age group in multiple Sprint and Olympic events since 2017, has qualified for USAT Sprint Nationals 3 times and has completed 3 Ironman 70.3 races. His passion for coaching and mentoring started in the military, but was deepened in 2019 when he was a Mentor for the Fleet Feet TRI 201 course. Mike has completed the USAT Core Coaching Courses, USAT Level One Certification and the 80/20 Endurance Coaching Certification. His motto is “Race for joy!”
Laine Hendley
Coach
Coach Laine Hendley is a talented lifelong athlete who took up the sport of triathlon later in life, after she started running at the age of 47. She had an impressive first year in which she successfully ran five road races and finished three triathlons. She went on to excel in Challenge Daytona half-iron distance duathlon, Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga, and her first half marathon, finishing all within six months of each other. Since those early days, Laine has grown not only in the sport but in her love for sharing it with others. She enjoys the lifelong learning triathlon provides, and is now a Trisutto certified coach, the certification founded by preeminent pro coach Brett Sutton. She is mother to two grown children and in her free time, she rocks as a health care provider in the Huntsville, Alabama community.
Gena Hayes
Coach
Coach Gena is a swim coach and stroke guru who started her swim life at the tender age of three! She continued with summer league swim team through high school, competing at the high school level for three seasons. She then moved on to triathlons and consistently finishes in the top 10 percent of the swims. We’ve also seen her topping the podium a lot in her open water races! Recently Gena tackled the prestigious open water challenge “The Triple Crown of the Tennessee,” completing three long distance swims in the Tennessee River in one season – Swim Hobbs Island 5 miler; Bridges to Bluffs 10k, and Swim the Suck 10 miler! We’re glad to have this speedy torpedo joining our coaching team! Learn as much as you can from her… if you can catch her!
