Meeting Andrew Yoder
by Heidi Seiberlich
I was at Columbia Tri this past weekend. Andrew Yoder who is
18 years old and is from PA was there. I don't know if you
know who he is. He is Phenomenol. He went Pro this year. As
a 16 and 17 year old he was winning most of the local races.
Well while waiting for the Awards ceremony I see him
standing among the past two Ironman winners looking star
struck. I point Andrew out to my 11 and 8 year old sons who
think the Tri Pros are Gods. I explain to them how he is
only 18 and went pro this year and is from PA. They ask if
they can get a picture with him. Now everyone is of course
going up to Chris Lieto and Chris "Macca" Mc Cormick. I take
my sons over to Andrew and tell him that my sons would like
a picture with him and that I know one day he will be a Kona
winner and how I have seen him win local races in Jersey
etc. and that we are fans. He was so surprised I guess that
with these seasoned pros around that someone would ask him
for a picture. He talked to my boys and was nothing but
gracious. We got a picture. Come to find out he was second
that day to Chris Lieto but beating Macca. I have now been
ordered by my sons to get the picture developed ,( am I
showing my age ), and have him sign the picture. They have
not stopped talking about him. There are not many sports
that you can easily mix and mingle with the pros and have
them be so kind. Desiree Ficker was there also and she was
nothing but kind to me when I saw her at the packet pick-up.
Hope this helps. I have another story of a pro homestay at
our house for the Philly tri in 2006. David Thompson. He won
that year. Another class act. Again my sons were star
struck. My one son was 6 at the time and followed him around
like a puppy and asked him a million questions about his
bike while he was trying to put it together. If you want to
hear this story let me know.
Heidi Seiberlich
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