COACHES
The SCTA has qualified experienced coaches to lead you through coached group workouts throughout the year as well as special clinics to prepare you for your events.
Steve Doinidis
Anthony Sicola
President
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Steve "Tigger" Doinidis was born in the winter chill of Michigan. A hockey player growing up, he competed in his first triathlon in 2012 on a mountain bike with zero practice in the pool. He moved to Santa Cruz in early 2013 for his beautiful wife, Sara, and the sunshine!
When he's not training, you'll find Steve out surfing or swimming in the ocean, climbing a local crag or escaping into the redwoods of Nisene Marks State Park.
Dave Liotta
Head Coach
Dave got hooked on triathlon in 1985 after competing in the USTS, Del Valle. After he won his age group at the Wildflower long course triathlon in 1986 he went on to compete in the Hawaii Ironman four times having finishing in under 10 hours.
Triathlon became a lifestyle for Dave and after studying philosophy in undergraduate school Dave decided to enroll in a Master’s program in Exercise Physiology. He published research on nutrition and endurance while also starting a side business with a mentor professor focused on testing and advising cyclists and triathletes. This business, “PR Consultants” is now “BeFit Consultants” based in Santa Cruz, CA. Dave still finds time to swim, bike, run occasionally but claims that the third transition into parenthood is at least as challenging and satisfying as any triathlon.
Penni Bengtson
Transitions and Rules
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Penni is a Certified USAT Level II Race director and USAT Certified Coach. She owns her own event management and coaching business, Finish Line Productions. She’s been doing triathlon for 15 years and before that was a swimmer and cyclist. Before escaping from Silicon Valley to embrace starting a sports business, she worked at Sun Microsystems and Apple.
