Get to know the 2026 ambassadors

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I’m excited to be selected to be a 2026 TriCLE ambassador this upcoming season.  My motivation for submitting an application was to motivate myself to fight though chemotherapy fatigue.  I’ve found that I commit to something larger than myself I am better motivated to stay on task.  I was looking forward to training for last years TriCLE but was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer that put me into a fight which I was not expecting .  This year I’m training to get back on track of exercise to motivate myself as hopefully others to show that neither age nor sickness should hinder us to do all we can to remain/get healthy.  You never know what cards you will be dealt but never give up! 

Becky is a Cleveland-area athlete who enjoys exploring fitness through a mix of running, paddle boarding, yoga, and short-distance triathlon. She participates in several local races each year and stays connected to the community through a few run clubs and the Cleveland Triathlon Club. She loves being part of Cleveland’s active community and hopes to encourage others—especially beginners—to jump in, try something new, and find the fun in movement at any level.

I’m a Cleveland-area school principal, dad of three, and 2026 Tri CLE Ambassador. As a former college volleyball athlete and 10-year varsity high school volleyball coach, I was never an endurance athlete. I discovered cycling in 2020 after the birth of our second child, and the habit has reshaped my life for the better both physically and mentally. I compete in cycling esports on Zwift with EatDIRT and helped win the WTRL TTT World Cup titles in 2023, 2024, and 2025 (Latte division). Tri CLE 2025 was my first multisport event (Sprint Duathlon), and in 2026 I’ll step up to the Olympic Duathlon. At school I try to build a culture of joy and hard work and encourage everyone to be active. I believe everyone can do hard things and challenge my staff and students to do so.

Hey everyone, I’m Brandon! Excited to be back as a Tri CLE Ambassador. I love this race because it brings together an awesome community of athletes who show up to have fun, push themselves, and celebrate the Sport. I work a full-time job and juggle other ventures, so I know the challenge of staying consistent. This year, I’m focused on better balance and showing up on the hectic days. As an ambassador, I’m here to support and connect, whether it’s your first race or you’re chasing a PR. If you see me out there, SAY HI! Let’s make this Tri CLE the best yet.

 Originally from East Liverpool, Ohio, I am pursuing a master's degree at Kent State University. After a rocky history with running during high school, I ran my first 10k in 2022 and completely fell in love with the racing community. I completed my first olympic triathlon during the summer of 2023 and have never experienced so much support and encouragement from my fellow racers. It was during this race that I decided I would continue to compete and be a proud member of the triathlon community for as long as I can! I competed at Tri CLE 2025, and I am so excited to be returning this year! Let's start strong and finish stronger!

As a 2026 Tri CLE Ambassador, Lakewood resident Connor Mancini embraces a role that goes beyond just showing up at the start line. He’s a motivator, a connector, and a representative of what multisport participation can look like for everyday people, especially grown-ups who have rediscovered their love for movement after time away.

Whether you catch him working at a local venue, biking through the M

etroparks, running around Lakewood, or playing trumpet and singing under the name Moon Cactus, one thing is clear: Connor is living proof that it’s never too late to start, to push, to explore, and to create. And by embracing both athletic challenge and creative passion, he invites others to do the same. 

Born and raised in northeastern Ohio, Elise now lives in Avon with her husband, 3 cats, and pitbull. Elise grew up playing all kinds of sports and missed the competition and community as an adult. To reignite that fire, she found endurance running 8 years ago, the Cleveland volleyball scene 4 years ago, and triathlon just this past year. Triathlon has given her new friends, challenges, and inspiration to dream bigger. When she’s not training, she works as a software tester and registered veterinary technician - show her all your pet pictures! Seeing so many triathletes tackle their first triathlon at Tri CLE last year was amazing! Elise can’t wait to build upon last season and feels incredibly lucky to be returning as an ambassador in 2026. Let’s tackle Tri CLE together!

 Hi! I’m Johnny Del Balso, out of Grand River Ohio.

I am a returning ambassador for TRI CLE, with 2026 being my 5th season of triathlon! I am very much looking forward to connecting with everyone and making this the best one yet! 

Outside of triathlon I also enjoy racing motocross and riding BMX. In both of those sports I have competed at a professional level. At this point in my life and athletic journey, triathlon has provided me an opportunity to chase new goals and develop quite a passion for this sport while doing so. It’s been quite a lifestyle change and I’m here for it!

See you at the races! 

Hi, I'm Kirsten! As past president and current board member of the Cleveland Tri Club, you'll find me training all over town. An ultrarunner turned triathlete, I'm sticking to short races in 2026 in the hopes of finding some speed. My goals include standing on age-group podiums, swimming consistently, and smiling every mile.

I live in Lakewood with my husband and cheering section/photographer, Rob. Outside of triathlon, I walk dogs at the animal shelter and sing in a feminist choir. I love to travel, especially to places where I can speak French or Spanish or where we can park our travel trailer close to a trailhead. To make the dollars, I work from home as an operations manager for a software company.

Originally from Shaker Heights, I relocated back to Cleveland earlier this year after spending several years in Chicago. I’m a former collegiate athlete whose endurance journey began in 2016 when I ran the Chicago Marathon without fully knowing what I was getting into. That experience sparked a long-term passion for running and triathlon, and since then I’ve competed in the Chicago Triathlon in 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, as well as the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 10K and numerous 5Ks and local races.

In 2022, I faced a series of health challenges, including hypertension, high cholesterol, and prediabetes. Those wake-up calls pushed me to refocus on my training and make long-term lifestyle changes. When my daughter was born in 2024, my motivation grew even stronger as I committed myself to building the healthiest future possible for my family.

I also share my fitness journey on social media to give others an honest look at balancing work, family, and training. I’m proud to represent Tri CLE and contribute to the growth of Cleveland’s endurance community.

Born and raised in the Cleveland area, but moved to Rochester, NY in 2024. I have completed races from 5k’s to half marathons. I taught myself how to swim off of YouTube videos right before signing up for my 1st triathlon, which was Tri CLE in 2023! I love a challenge and try to push myself a little outside my comfort zone by trying and experiencing new things. When I’m not training for a triathlon I’m out on the hiking trails exploring new areas, relaxing in my hammock reading a good book, scuba diving with friends, or out eating tacos! The Tri CLE community has been extremely supportive and welcoming to me from my very first race and I am so excited to be able to share my journey and help fellow triathletes along the way!