TriJuniors Head Coach Jim Vance
CoachVance.blogspot.com
Jim is the founder and Head Coach of TriJuniors, a USAT High Performance Team in San Diego, focused on developing youth and junior elite triathletes. He is also a Level 2 and Youth & Junior Certified Coach for USA Triathlon, as well as an Elite Coach for TrainingBible Coaching. Jim holds a BS in Physical and Health Education, K-12, from the University of Nebraska, where he ran track and cross country. He was a school teacher for 6 years, before committing to triathlon full-time.
Jim is also a former professional triathlete, who spent time at the US Olympic Training Center, training under the guidance of the National Team Coaching Staff, as well as saw success with two World Championship titles as an amateur, in both XTERRA and ITU. His range of performances also stretch to Ironman, where he finished 3rd overall at the 2006 Ironman Florida, in a time of 8:37:09.
He has coached National Champions, and World Championship podium finishers, for both amateurs and elites. In 2011, Jim was named US National Elite Team Head Coach for the Duathlon World Championships, leading the US to one of its best team performances ever at the event.
Jim uses his knowledge of the sport, training theory, and education with his teaching experience to be a high performance coach.
Education & Career Experience:
B.S. Physical and Health Education, K-12, University of Nebraska, 1999
USA Triathlon Level 2 Certified Coach, 2007
USA Triathlon Youth & Junior Certified Coach 2011
USA Track and Field Level 1 Coach 2000
1999-2005 - Elementary and high school teacher, Physical Education, Math, Technology
Coaching Highlights:
2011 US National Elite Team Head Coach, Duathlon World Championships
2010-2012 USA Triathlon webinar presenter, featured coach in educational programs
2008-2011 Triathlete Magazine, LAVA, Inside Triathlon freelance contributor
2009 Active.com writer, featured coach
2009 XTRI.com featured writer
2008-2010 - Author of monthly column on training for Competitor Magazine, nationally published
2005-present - Presenter at countless clinics, camps, lectures
2004-present Coach to numerous triathletes, including a USAT National Champion, Kona Qualifiers, Elites
Jim has been involved in coaching at the high school, collegiate and post-collegiate level for over 10 years, in the sports of running, swimming, cycling and triathlon.
Notable Athletes Jim has or is currently coaching:
Matt Hoover, winner of NBC’s The Biggest Loser
Parvati Shallow, winner of CBS’s Survivor
Renata Bucher, 3-time XTERRA European Tour Champion
Adam Zucco, 2011 Amateur Champion, Oceanside 70.3 & Kansas 70.3, 9:16 Ironman
Scott Iott, 2009 30-34 Men Champion, Chicago Tri, 2xKona qualifier, 8:59 Ironman
Emma Garrard, US Elite Winter Tri Champ, 3rd ITU Cross Worlds 2011
Jon Tumilson, US Navy Seal, 2005 Half Max Clydesdale National Champion
7 Nationally ranked Youth Elite and Junior Elite athletes in 2011
Career Athletic Highlights:
2006 3rd at Ironman Florida 8:37:09, 1st American
2005 ITU World Champion Men 25-29
2005 Inside Triathlon Magazine – Amateur/Pro Triathlete of the Year
2005 USAT Male Age-Group Triathlete of the Year - Honorable Mention
2004 XTERRA Amateur World Champion
1994-1999 4-year letter-winner at University of Nebraska - Cross Country, Track and Field
TriJuniors Coach Bobbie Solomon
Bobbie is a USAT Level 1 Certified Coach, USAT Youth and Junior Certified Coach and a USAT Certified Official. She holds a Bachelors of Arts from San Diego State University with a major in Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising.
Bobbie’s extensive coaching background began 39 years ago. She started teaching and coaching swimming and eventually became a USA Diving Coach. She coached for several high schools and created the first USA Diving Team in Marin County, CA. Once she discovered triathlon and open water swimming she began her path to coaching the sport and to get involved in officiating.
Bobbie’s education, love for the sport and passion to promote triathlon to youth and juniors makes her the perfect addition to the TriJuniors team!
Education & Career Experience
USA Triathlon Certified Official 2011
USA Triathlon Youth and Junior Certified Coach, 2011
USA Triathlon Level 1 Certified Coach, 2010
USA Diving Coach 2000
B.A. Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising, San Diego State, 1979
Coaching Highlights:
2010 – Started working with TriJuniors
2008 – Became the TCSD Beginner Open Water Swim Coach
2008-2009 – Volunteer Coach at Grossmont Junior College
2006-2007 – Volunteer Diving Coach at UCSD
2001 – Created first USA Diving Team in Marin County, CA
2000-2002 – Head Diving Coach for Tamalpais and Redwood High Schools, Marin County, CA
Officiating Highlights:
2011 – USAT Youth and Junior Championships
2011 – Ironman Oceanside 70.3 – Captain of Bike Marshals
2010 – USAT Youth and Junior Championships
2010 – Ironman Oceanside 70.3 – Captain of Bike Marshals
Career Athletic Highlights:
2007 – Completed 1st triathlon at age 50
1998 – Started competing diving as a age group diver
1977 – Placed 4th in CA
1975 – Only woman on all male diving team at California State University, Chico