Athlete of the Month

The Team Sheeper Athlete of the Month award is handed out to a member of the team on a monthly basis, 7 or 8 times a year. The AOM is someone who made a notable contribution to the team or did something remarkable. Selection is made by nomination and voting by the membership.

You can nominate anyone and the nomination period is usually during the first week or two of the month. Look for notification that nominations are being sought.  When nomination close, the voting starts and once all the votes are tallied, the new AOM is crowned.

Besides bragging rights for a month, our AOM gets some goodies from our gracious sponsors, such as free shoes from TRH, a massage from SMI, gift certificates from GoRide.

The Runner's High is proud to sponsor this month's athlete who embodies the spirit of Team Sheeper. We are about more than just improving athletic skills and performances.

Jessy Quezada

January 2001 Athlete of the Month

Jessy was chosen as the January Athlete of the Month on the strength of his personality. In addition to his contributions to the team as a strong athlete, Jessy is helpful, pleasant, fun, and always enjoyable to be around. Jessy is frequently noticed helping out new members setting up their windtrainers at the Monday and Thursday evening spin sessions, and he always does so with a smile on his face.

While training for Ironman Canada with Team in Training in 1999, Jessy met a lot of people involved with what was then called the "Beyond Barriers Triathlon Team" - the precursor to Team Sheeper. His TnT teammates filled him in on Team Sheeper and how much they enjoyed the program. Soon, Jessy became a member himself.

A high school athlete, Jessy was a strong candidate to walk on to the USF soccer team, but decided to pursue other interests instead. At USF, Jessy studied political science and became involved in local politics. Particularly interested in the pharmaceutical industry, Jessy now works as a pharmaceutical sales representative for GlaxoSmithKline, the biggest pharmaceutical company in the world. He is involved in lobbying in this arena and would like to contribute his part in refocusing our nation's energy and leveraging the goal of making medicine available to those who need it. Jessy is also active in the USF Alumni Association, is the President of the Young Alumni Society, and is a member of the Board of Governors for the University. Whatever he ends up doing, Jessy says he wants to make sure he has a passion for it and finds enjoyment in his work.

Jessy seems to have found a passion for triathlon. After graduating from college, Jessy participated in many organized century rides and triathlons. The biggest reward, he says, is meeting new people. He enjoys training with new friends and being able to push himself a little more than he usually would. Although triathlon is an "individual" sport, Jessy says it never feels like he is out there on his own and he enjoys the friendships and community that form on race day, with participants encouraging one another to defy the perception of an "individual" sport. Going to the velodrome with the Team Sheeper gang and learning how to ride and race around the track is one of Jessy's most memorable moments with the team.

In 2001, Jessy's goals include racing at Ironman California. Born and raised in Southern California (Encinitas), he is looking forward to racing with the support of family and friends. "Crossing this finish line will be one I will always remember," he says. Though he aspires to finish faster than his Ironman Canada time, having a great race out on the course is what is most important. Also look for Jessy at Wildflower, the Half Vineman and San Jose International - all big Team Sheeper races.

Team Sheeper thanks Jessy for being such an integral part of the triathlon program.