Rob

Rob began his athletic career as an age group swimmer at age 7. He progressed to college swimming at Missouri State in Springfield, MO. He tried the new sport of triathlon in 1983. He won his first race and was hooked. He participated in some professional events in the mid 1980's then quit the sport to focus more on his career and entered medical school. He resumed training again for the sport in the mid 1990's achieving All American status several years in a row and progressed to a top 10 national ranking in his age category. He has been the Triathlon state champion in Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. He qualified and competed in the ITU World Olympic Distance Championships in Lausanne Switzerland in 1998 as a member of the USAT national team and then retired from the sport.

Although he was quite experienced in short course triathlons, Rob had never attempted an Ironman. So, in November 2004, after a seven year hiatus, Rob entered Ironman Florida and started training again. He placed 5th in the 40-44 age group and was the first American finisher in that category in a time of 9:44. He was 72nd overall including professionals. His placement in that race, qualified Rob for the Ironman World Championship to be held in Kona, Hawaii in 2006 where he had another good race. In 2007, Rob qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii again and finished 8th in the 45-49 age group that year in a time of 9:53. In 2008 Rob participated in "Epic Camp" in New Zealand for an active get away vacation. He continues to balance a demanding career, family life, training, and coaching other local athletes.

Rob is an Anesthesiologist at St. John medical center in Tulsa, OK. He has some background training in exercise science and is also a board certified specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.