COACHES
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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.
Meet the SCTA coaching team 2026
Experienced, supportive coaches helping athletes of all levels train smarter and race stronger.
Our coaches focus on sustainable training, injury prevention, and building confidence—whether you’re racing your first sprint or chasing a PR.
Jon Erskine
Track
Jon brings structure to speedwork without the intimidation factor, building sessions that meet athletes at their current fitness rather than someone else's pace. Athletes credit him with making interval training something they actually look forward to.
Annie Warr
Cycling, Transitions, and Rules
Annie leads SCTA's Bike Spin sessions, and Hill Repeats, and helps with the Nu2Tri beginner program. She is a USAT Certified Triathlon Coach and USMS Masters Swim Coach. Athletes lean on her for taking them to the next level.
Geoff Drake
Cycling
Geoff specializes in building confidence on the bike, from pack riding basics to descending technique, and is the go-to coach for bike maintenance and flat-fixing — the skills that keep a mechanical from turning into a DNF. He's known for breaking cycling skills into small, manageable steps so nothing feels overwhelming.
SCTA RECOMMENDED TRIATHLON COACHES
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.
Dave Liotta
Jon Erskine
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.
• USAT Certified Coach
• 2x Ironman 70.3 World Championships qualifier and participant
• 3x Team USA World Championships qualifier and participant
• 4x US National Championships qualifier and participant
• 3x Ironman finisher
• Voted Athlete of the Year by SCTA 2023 and 2024
• Ocean Sailor, Alpine skier, marathoner, open water swimmer
• Compassionate mentor, and advisor
• Advocate for ALL athletes in sport
Annie Warr
Steve Doinidis
Endurance coach based in Santa Cruz, California. I am an energetic individual that will help you along in your endurance career whether that is running, cycling, triathlon, duathlons, aquathlons, open water swimming, etc.
Training plans updated daily based on feedback directly from you.
My philosophy is honesty and consistency. Honesty with yourself and honesty with me, your coach, will help our relationship and help your athletic achievements.
I was born and raised right outside of Detroit, Michigan. A blue collared city with incredible work-ethic that I bring to my coaching as well as my own athletic endeavors.
Penni Bengtson
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.