About Triathlon Saskatchewan

Mark Nagy

President

I am from Prince Albert and have lived here almost all my life. I have been in the construction industry for the last 38 years. I have been married since 1987 and have three children and one grandchild.

I watched the Frank Dunn Triathlon in 1986 and decided that I could do it; there were a few people that I knew competing. So that winter I taught myself to swim, which was no easy task.

So in the summer of 1987, I drove to compete in the Weyburn Triathlon, hoping that I would not know anybody! This is where I met a Saskatchewan Triathlon legend in Don Gallo. I finished that race and absolutely fell in love with this sport. Also completed my first Frank Dunn a couple of weeks later, had to stop with bike problems several times, but able to get it, Dunn. For the next 14 years, I competed in sprints, and Olympic distance races, as well as took over as Race Director of the Fran Dunn in 1991, and to this day continue to be Race Director. About this time we started the PA Tri Club, and I am the only original member to be still involved. In 2000 I competed in my first Half Ironman in Stoney Plain and to date, I have completed 29 Half Distance races. The next year in 2001, I completed my first Ironman Canada, which I continued to do for 11 consecutive years. I also competed in the Challenge series in Penticton, as well as Ironman Florida, Chattanooga, Arizona, and Mont Tremblant. I am looking forward to competing this August in Penticton for my 18th Ironman. I am in my second stint with the Sask Tri-Board, served for a few years in the early 90s and have been on the board for the last 10 years. Really looking forward to what this Board can accomplish and am happy with the direction we are heading in!!!

Gord Hipperson 

Vice President and Director of Performance and Development 

Gord Hipperson joined the Board in 2022. Based in Regina, Gord is the Owner and President of Hipperson Construction, a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Professional Engineer for over 25 years. He and his wife Rhonda have three children and two grandsons, all residing in Saskatchewan.

Formerly an avid squash player and runner, Gord has completed two Spartan race events and enjoys all forms of biking, including mountain trails, gravel roads and pavement. That led him to try his first multi-sport event at Echo Lake in 2018, where he qualified for and competed in the 2019 World Triathlon Championship in Lausanne, Switzerland.  Since then, Gord has completed several other triathlons and will compete in his first half of Ironman this summer in Victoria.

Gord is passionate about sports and the benefits they offer to individuals, whether competitive or recreational. He looks forward to advancing the initiatives of Tri-Sask in his first term as a Board member.

Jordan Anderson

Treasurer and Director of Capacity and Collaboration

Jordan Anderson is a dedicated athlete and volunteer in the triathlon community who strongly believes in the value of sports for promoting healthy and active lifestyles, fostering community spirit, and personal growth. He has participated in numerous triathlon races at all lengths and has served on several triathlon organization boards. Jordan tries to emote leadership, dedication, and ability to inspire his children. He is committed to ensuring that the needs of all members of the triathlon community are addressed, from elite athletes to beginners and from volunteers to race organizers. Jordan believes that triathlon is a sport for life and will continue to work to make it accessible and welcoming to all as a board member, helping to grow and sustain the vibrant and inclusive community of triathlon athletes.

Michelle Classen

Secretary 

Michelle is a Saskatoon-born Regina resident with a long history of involvement in sports and fitness in the province. She has always had an interest in endurance sports, including triathlon. She has participated in marathons, fondos and sprint distance triathlons. Her current involvement in triathlon is being her son’s #1 cheerleader as he competes around North America.

When not cheerleading, she works for the Saskatchewan Health Authority as a Registered Dietitian. Her client group is NICU graduates and their families. Outside work, she loves cooking, enjoying good food with her husband, listening to audiobooks, and snuggling with her puppy. Most of her family, including her daughter, lives in Saskatoon, so she tries to get there often. She also judges artistic swimming and bakes a mean cinnamon bun.

She sees tremendous value in growing the sport of triathlon in Saskatchewan because of all the opportunities it has given her son. It provides an opportunity to build lifelong fitness habits which support a healthier community.

Alex Donald 

Director of Community and Engagement 

Alex Donald is a Physical Therapist who works out of Saskatoon at Mackie Physiotherapy Evergreen. He is now a  board member of Triathlon Saskatchewan and has a lifelong passion for endurance sports, largely stemming from his background as a former competitive swimmer. Alex feels very fortunate to have a career where he can combine his formal training in movement and rehabilitation with his passion for endurance sports.

Vance Webber 

Director at Large

My wife, children and I live on an acreage north of Wolseley, on the edge of the Qu’Appelle Valley, that is full of animals and outdoor adventures. I am a financial advisor with Sun Life for 14 years and former member of the Canadian Armed Forces. I am a big believer in the power of physical activity to improve our lives both mentally and physically. My involvement in the triathlon started in December 2021 when a group of us decided we need to promote physical fitness in our community.  That gave birth to the Wolseley Triathlon Club which held its first triathlon on 25th June 2022.I got hooked on both the training for and planning of the event and hope to bring that energy and passion to promoting and building this sport throughout Saskatchewan for young and old.

Anne Charles 

Director at Large

I got my first taste of triathlon in 2006 while swimming in the Frank Dunn. From there I was hooked and continued to team Frank Dunn until completed in the full triathlon in 2011. In 2013 I got the opportunity to experience junior elite triathlon and go to Canada Games in Sherbrook Quebec which was an amazing life experience. After that, I went on to compete as an age grouper in different sprint and Olympic distance races. I recently started long distance triathlon and competed in Ironman Canada in 2022. Outside of triathlon, I have a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the U of S and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the U of A. I work as a physical therapist at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert. Growing up I swam with the Prince Albert Sharks for 12 years. I have my level 1 NCCP coaching certificate and have coached for the Saskatoon Goldfins. Some of my other interests include canoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, and spending time with my dog Nessie.

Ericka

Director at Large

I grew up in Northern Ontario in the middle of the bush. I always loved to get outside and move my body. I joined the Canadian Armed Forces as Military Police and served at 15 Wing, Moose Jaw, for my final posting. It was a great introduction to the prairies. I was injured while serving and needed to rethink my workouts, so I bought a bike trainer during Covid and joined Regina Multisport Club to start meeting new people. I was hooked and joined the RMC board as a Director At Large in 2021, and I am now the Equipment Manager and the Volunteer Coordinator