Head Coach: Sandra Heller

Sandra has a background in ski racing, swimming , diving and gymnastics. She is a graduate from the university of Colorado with a BA in psychology and from University of Connecticut with Masters Degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Sandra currently works full time at Platt Tech High School in Milford, CT.

Sandra did her first triathlon in 1996 with her husband who had been doing them for years. she was hooked from that time on. She had sustained knee injuries from prior years of ski racing and had always used bike riding to rehabilitate. the swimming came back pretty easily from the high school years and running was never too comfortable, but manageable. Every summer then became a new adventure with new goals, new races, new friends and a great way to stay fit and healthy. She was an accomplished sprint racer and often won age group awards. After 5 years of races, running became intolerable for her arthritic knee. She then discovered the Aqua Bike events that are sanctioned by USAT. Aqua bike events are becoming more widespread and are really a great way for triathletes who can no longer run to stay in the game. Sandra enjoys longer distance races now, usually competing in half ironman and this past year, an ironman distance aqua bike.

Sandra is often a mentor to new triathletes and shares her knowledge and experience with others. She has also raised 3 children, now 26, 21, 20 (2 of them attend Bryant University) who have all become accomplished triathletes. The Heller family has a saying "a family that tris together, always has a messy house, smelly laundry and knows how to balance work, play and training."

Having had great enjoyment and success mentoring others for years, raising 3 successful triathletes and training for different distances Sandra decided to get more involved in coaching, She is now a USAT level 1 coach and is ready to take on the Bryant triathlon club. The club is for any student from newbie to experienced. Training plans for sprint and Olympic distance events and race specific coaching will be made available on open water swimming, bike handling, pacing, transitions and nutrition/hydration.