Coaches

The OSU Triathlon Club has 3 coaches and a faculty advisor. These four extraordinary people graciously donate so much time out of their already busy lives to help the club and community. They all love to give back to the sport that is such a huge part of their lives. They are full of information and can help you with all of your multisport enquiries. Feel free to email them and chat with them at many of our club workouts!

The club would also like to thank you Nate, Taz, Kara and Erica because with out you, we could not exist as a club! You have helped each and every one of us tremendously over the years and we can not begin to thank you enough!

 

Meet our Coaches Taz, Nate, Kara and our advisor Erica!

Michael "Taz" Tazman    taz140.6@gmail.com

"By the time I was 30, I had become an overweight alcoholic who drank and smoked to excess.  Then, for my 1986 New Year’s resolution, I resolved to change my lifestyle.  I quit drinking and smoking, and lost 65 pounds.  I had no previous athletic experience but needed an outlet for all of my newfound energy.  That’s when I started doing triathlons. 

My first triathlon was a sprint and by the time I crossed the finish line, I was hooked.  In the 23 years since then I have competed in over a hundred triathlons of all distances.  I have finished 10 Ironman races and qualified for the Ironman World Championship four times.

Wanting to give something back to the sport that saved my life, I became a coach for the OSU Triathlon Club.  Working with the student athletes has been one of the most rewarding activities of my life.  Through my company, T3 Triathlete Coaching, I also provide personal coaching to athletes of all levels.

My advice for having a great race: there are only two things in your control, giving it your best effort and having fun.  After that, everything else is out of your control, so don’t worry about it."

Michael Tasman, P.E., Project Manager City of Corvallis
USA Triathlon Certified Coach
Oregon State University Triathlon Club Coach
Owner: T3 Triathlete Coaching
back to top

Nate Smith     shortytris@hotmail.com

"I began running road races at the age of 9 inspired by the adventure of the Lilac Bloomsday road race in Spokane, WA.  My dad introduced me to the sport of triathlon and in 1986 I finished my first race at the age of 13.  I have competed in running, swimming, triathlons and cycling events ever since.

My triathlon career highlights include: 1st 1990 High School Triathlon Championship, 1996 Junior National Team Member, 4th overall National Collegiate Championships, two time Troika half IM winner and 15 Ironman Finishes with five Hawaii World Championship finishes.

My coaching experience began in high school teaching swimming lessons and assistant coaching  with the Redmond Aquatic Club.  I continued teaching swim lessons and began a masters swim group  while attending college.  At Oregon State University I was a member and club president of the triathlon club while graduating with my BS in EXSS Pre-Physical Therapy.  In 2001 I graduated from Pacific University with a Masters in Physical Therapy.  Currently, I continue to compete, co-coach with the OSU Tri-Club, coach privately, perform professional bike fitting, race direct the Good Samaritan Challenge  5k/12k and work full time as an outpatient physical therapist.

My advice for having a good race: do your home work, believe in your self and maintain balance in your life."

Nathan Smith MSPT, USAT Level I Coach
back to top

 

Kara Smith    karakleeman@yahoo.com

"I started triathlon when I was 27.  At the time I thought that I would do one sprint race, to say I had done it, and never do another.  When I started training I couldn’t run a mile without walking and I wasn’t able to swim an entire lap without stopping to rest at the opposite end of the pool.  I thought people who ran marathons were crazy and had no idea what an Ironman entailed.

Since that time, I have run 10 marathons, done 3 ironmans, and numerous half ironmans and sprint tris.  I have never been at the front of the pack, but always enjoy racing and compete against myself to better my performance with each race.  The highlights of my racing have been qualifying for the Boston marathon and having my family and friends cheer me on at
IM Coeur d’Alene.

My advice for having a good race: stay positive and focused on your goals.  Give the best effort you can give, without worrying about what anyone else is doing."

Kara Smith PT, Cert MDT
back to top

 

Meet our Advisor:

Erica McKenzie erica.mckenzie@oregonstate.edu

"I began racing triathlons nine years ago to support a friend trying to change her lifestyle, and was immediately enamored. Since then I have competed in many triathlons of all distances, with 2 ironman finishes, and also compete in bike racing and marathons. In 2008 I was first in my age group and 3rd overall in the Pacific Northwest Open Triathlete ranking. However, my favorite part of triathlon is encouraging others to participate and accomplish, hence my proudest moments are not podium moments, but include finishing side by side with my identical twin in her first triathlon, and supporting her to her first ironman finish last year (which included shouting encouragement as I swam by her side!).

I thoroughly enjoy my role as faculty advisor to the triathlon club since I can watch and help others learn and progress in the sport. Additionally, I enjoy learning more about our sport through my work. I am faculty at the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine and I study the exercise physiology of horses and racing sled dogs. Quite frequently I review relevant triathlon research literature when writing about my furry athletes!

Triathlon offers wonderful things including good health and the camaraderie of training with and learning from others in the sport. Our club offers a unique support system for triathletes of all abilities and experience, including emotional and technical support during training and at races, and technique instruction and sage advice from our very experienced coaches. We welcome you!"

Erica McKenzie BSc, BVMS, PhD. Diplomate ACVIM
Assistant Professor Large Animal Medicine
Oregon State University
back to top