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Triathlon Trianing Plan Triathlon Coaching

Your Support Team

We are dedicated to helping develop our athletes and challenging them to pursue excellence in all facets of their daily life. Not just full of knowledge and brains, this group of fun-loving individuals realizes that life is meant to be enjoyed and that sports are part of that enjoyment.

Coaching Staff

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Mark Saroni

Head Coach, CEO

  • MS Kinesiology

  • USA Triathlon Level 2

  • Professional Triathlete

"Winning is a Mindset, Not a Spot on the Podium"

Or email: mark@paragontraining.org

Coaching Highlights​

  • Experience coaching Elite triathletes and Junior development

  • Coached athletes to qualify for World Championships at U23 Elite, IRONMAN®, IRONMAN 70.3®, Xterra, and ITU Age Group Worlds.

  • Multiple Senior Games National and State Champions in Cycling and Track & Field

  • San Antonio Express News "Girls Swim Coach of the Year"

  • 2x TAPPS State Swimming Team Champions

Pricing​​

  • ​Multisport starting at $200 every 2 weeks

  • Singlesport starting at $125 every 2 weeks

Mark Saroni is an accomplished endurance athlete and the founder and Head Coach of Paragon Training. Saroni has been involved in triathlon since 2003 and has been coaching fellow athletes toward their goals for nearly as long. Saroni's unique coaching style and knowledge is built on his educational background, as well as years of experience racing in the endurance world. He attended The University of Texas at Tyler where he graduated with a Bachelors's and Master's degree in Kinesiology, while also competing as a Division III Track and Cross Country athlete. After college, he moved to San Antonio to train and race as a professional triathlete. He began full-time coaching at the same time and soon realized that his greater passion was in taking the knowledge he'd gained on the race course and in the classroom to assist others in achieving their goals. He "retired" from a professional career to dedicate his time and energy to developing athletes. Whether it's one-on-one coaching, group workouts, consulting, or through pre-built training plans, it is Saroni's mission to provide resources for endurance athletes that help them in their own pursuit of excellence.

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Racing Highlights​

  • Professional Triathlete

  • 2023 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon San Antonio Overall Champion

  • 2x IRONMAN® Champion

  • 3x IRONMAN 70.3® Champion

  • 2x Cat 3 State Time Trial Champion

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Racing Highlights

  • Olympic - 1:52:40

  • IRONMAN 70.3® - 3:50:05

  • IRONMAN® - 8:41:28

  • 5K - 15:14

  • Half Marathon - 1:09:46

  • Marathon - 2:31:15

  • Cat 2 Cyclist

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Amy Higginbotham

Triathlon Coach

  • USA Triathlon Level 2 Coach

    • Emphasis in long course​

  • US Masters Swim Level 1 Coach

  • Certified Spinning Coach

  • BS, emphasis Health Science and Exercise Science

Or email: amy@paragontraining.org

Coaching Achievements​

  • IRONMAN 70.3® World Championship Qualifier

  • 2xs 70.3 1st place AG

  • Marathon 1st place AG

  • ½ Marathon 1st place AG

  • IRONMAN® Top 10% Finisher

  • Multiple 1st triathlon finishers

  • Multiple 1st IRONMAN® and IRONMAN 70.3® Finishers

  • ​Ödessey Swim/Run 2nd Overall Female

Pricing​​

  • ​Multisport starting at $150 every 2 weeks

  • Singlesport starting at $100 every 2 weeks

Amy has a BS from Columbus State University with an emphasis in Health Science and Exercise Science.  Before finding running and triathlon, Amy worked in group fitness and corporate fitness with organizations such as AT&T.  Amy transitioned to a management career until the birth of her son. Amy has been active in triathlon since 2008 but found the drive to be competitive over the last several years, resulting in podiums at multiple events, including qualifying for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships and the Ironman World Championships. In addition to a love for triathlon, Amy has worked as a strength coach and cycle instructor for more than 7 years. By observing athletes in her classes transform, through hard work and effort, Amy’s passion for coaching grew as she became a certified USA Triathlon Level I triathlon coach, with an emphasis on long course racing and a US Masters LI Swim Coach.  Through tireless focus on becoming a better coach, Amy has since become a USAT L2 coach and USA Cycling coach. Amy approaches all things with genuine enthusiasm and energy and works tirelessly to help athletes achieve their individual goals and personal successes.


As a military spouse and mom, Amy fully understands the demands placed on athletes in their daily lives.  Amy works hard to balance sport and life and integrates that mindset into her training.  Amy channels her 15+ years of triathlon and running experience into each of the athletes she has the privilege to coach.

Racing Highlights

  • IRONMAN® World Championship 2024 Qualifier

  • IRONMAN 70.3® World Championship 2021

  • USAT National Championship qualifications and appearances - multiple years

  • IRONMAN® Bronze All World Athlete - multiple years

  • 3x IRONMAN® Finisher (1st was 14 months after having her son at 42)

  • 20x IRONMAN 70.3® Finisher

  • Multiple podium finishes in all distances to include AG wins in 70.3 and Olympic Distance

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Roberta Gonzalez,

RN, MSN, APRN

Triathlon Coach

  • Master of Nursing (MSN) with minor in Nursing Education

  • Nurse Practitioner in Wellness and Diabetes Care

  • USAT Level 1 Coach

Or email: roberta@paragontraining.org

Coaching Achievements

  • Mentored and assisted multiple 1st triathlon finishers

  • Mentored and supported multiple IRONMAN 70.3® finishers

  • Provided advice on training, nutrition, and racing tips to 6 Ironman finishers

 

 

Racing Highlights

  • 2 Full Marathons - 2012, 2013

  • Multiple Half Marathons

  • Multiple Century Rides

  • Two 50k Trail Races - 2021

  • Olympic Triathlons (9)

  • 5x IRONMAN 70.3® Finisher

  • 3x IRONMAN® Finisher 

Pricing​​

  • ​Multisport starting at $125 every 2 weeks

  • Singlesport starting at $100 every 2 weeks

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you”

 

Roberta has a master’s degree in nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. A Nurse since 1999 and a Nurse Practitioner since 2010, Roberta has extensive experience in Emergency Care along with specialized training in Wellness and Diabetes Care of children and young adults. These years of experience have assisted Roberta in obtaining advance knowledge of sports physiology, nutrition advice and treatment of chronic health conditions. This training has also allowed her to assist triathletes in understanding the physiological demands of endurance performance. Encompassing this knowledge, Roberta has helped many triathletes with questions and common sports injuries throughout her triathlete career.

 

Roberta started her own health journey after having multiple health issues. With a strong family history of autoimmune diseases, and being overweight, Roberta took charge of her health by hiring a personal trainer in 2001. She lost over 50 pounds and found a love for strength training, running, group exercise and healthy eating. These changes in her life are the key to her success in triathlon and endurance sports. She believes that we all have an athlete in us, and every person is capable of achieving their physical health goals. This is one of the reasons Roberta is passionate about coaching and supporting athletes of all levels.

 

Roberta joined the world of triathlon, by completing her first Sprint race at the age of 44! She quickly fell in love with triathlons and has continued to improve her race times with a consistent training process which has led her to be a 3x ironman finisher.


Roberta has worked extensively with community partners and has developed strong relationships in the running, cycling and triathlon community in San Antonio. She has assisted in organizing popular events, such as the Mighty Mujeres Time Trial, the Annual Rapha Women’s Ride. She volunteers at Ironman races any time she can. Roberta was a founder and President of a local triathlon training club which has over 45 members. It is aimed to bringing triathletes of all levels together for safe and supported group workouts; such as swims, rides and runs, that allows athletes to train to achieve their race goals. Roberta is always the biggest cheerleader and supporter of teammates come race day, she will be there for you come rain or shine!

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Her passion for triathlon has led her to become a USAT Level 1 Triathlon coach so that she can support and train athletes of all levels and abilities.

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ASher lauderdale

 Triathlon Coach

  • USA Level I Certification

    • Specialization in Youth & Junior Triathlon​

Or email: asher@paragontraining.org

Racing Highlights​

  • USAT Youth & Junior Elite Draft Legal Series Competitor (2014–2021)

  • Wingate University Men’s Triathlon Team – NCAA Collegiate Triathlon Athlete

  • Multiple National-Level Starts across the USAT Youth/Junior Elite circuit

  • Competed under the Playtri Elite Team, known for developing high-performance junior athletes

Pricing

  • Multisport starting at $125 every 2 weeks

  • Singlesport starting at $100 every 2 weeks

Asher Lauderdale is an experienced triathlete, competing on the USAT Youth and Junior Elite Draft Legal series from 2014 to 2021 with Playtri. Lauderdale specializes in youth and junior coaching, with his intensive experience in the draft legal world. He graduated from Wingate University in 2024 with a bachelors in Political Science. Lauderdale competed for the Wingate University Men’s Triathlon team. He also works in the media world as a professional photographer, specializing in college athletics. Lauderdale has coached for the Playtri Youth/Junior program, as well as the Turnagain Training youth program in Anchorage, AK, and the Alpha Multisport Junior program. He received his Level 1 USAT certification in 2023, with a focus in YE/JE. Lauderdale is a dedicated coach, looking to teach the next generation of triathletes the same sport and life skills he has learned. 

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Krista Neugebauer

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

  • BS Nutrition and Foods

Triathlon Coach

Or email: krista@fuelfearlessly.com

Racing Highlights

  • IRONMAN 70.3® World Championship Qualifier

  • 2023 Kerrville Sprint - 1st AG

  • 2022 Kerrville Half - 1st AG

  • 2019 Kerrville Half – 1st AG

  • 2018 Coco Half Marathon - 3rd AG

  • 2017 Octoberfest Sprint - 1st AG

  • 2016 Tour De Gruene Team Time Trial - 2nd Overall

  • 2015 Marble Falls Half – 1st AG

  • 2015 Octoberfest Sprint - 3rd AG

Krista is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and athlete. She graduated from Texas State University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Foods and completed her Dietetic Internship through the University of Houston in 2014.  Over the years, she has worked with athletes as well as individuals struggling with various medical diagnoses. Her passion is working with athletes to help fine tune nutritional needs so they can excel at the sport they love. 

 

Ever since Krista was a little girl, she loved running and sports. In college, she realized how much joy she felt when running and began racing. She completed her first marathon, the Nike Women’s Marathon in 2012, and her first triathlon, Texas State Sprint Triathlon in 2014. The challenge of completing a full Ironman was the pinnacle of dedication, sacrifice, and hard work, which became her new athletic challenge. In 2016, she completed Ironman Texas and 2017, Ironman Chattanooga. Her racing slowed from 2018-2020 with the birth of her two sons, but she is excited to competitively race again. 

 

Racing various distances and applying nutritional knowledge has helped her experience the importance of nutrition and how the duration and intensity can impact nutritional needs. Whether you are a novice or avid athlete, she is qualified through education and experience to help you reach your goals.

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Faith Dasso

Customer Service & Administrative Support

Racing Highlights

  • NCAA All-American

  • 3x U23 World Championship Qualifier

  • 3x Junior World Championship Qualifier

  • 3rd 2023 USA Triathlon National Championships

  • CSCS Coach

Faith Dasso comes to Paragon as a member of the Pro Project chasing her dreams in triathlon. A native of New Braunfels, Faith has been a triathlete her entire life. She ran with Paragon's track Tuesday throughout high school. She attended Arizona State University on a triathlon scholarship where she won two NCAA National Championships. Faith earned her B.S. in Sports Science and Performance Programming at ASU. She has represented the United States internationally at the Junior and U23 World Championships, as well as the World University Games. She specializes in draft legal racing. Her favorite training session is bike skills and transition practice.

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