Happy new year! In November the USAT Southeast Region board met in Mentone, Alabama to begin plans for 2007. As you will see from our board member bios below, we now have full representation from all states in our region and an incredible and diverse board [the GOOD athletes and then me] eager to get the new season underway.

The 2006 region-wide rankings have been posted on the USAT-SE website (www.usat-se.org) and we look forward to distributing them at events such as the new USAT Southeast / Team in Training Triathlon Expo in Nashville on February 3rd. See the article below or www.southeasttriexpo.com for more details.

Last year the regional club championship formerly held in Meridian, MS was instead changed to a point-based series (SERCS). The pilot year turned out great and we hope for more participation from clubs as we refine the system in 2007. For more information contact Doug Simpson at the email address below.

The same point-based system was used for a short collegiate series in 2006, and in 2007 we have much more in store for our collegiate teams. In February all of our collegiate teams will meet to finalize the constitution for a new Southeast Collegiate Triathlon Conference (SECTC) to better compete against other national teams and conferences. We're also thrilled that the USAT national collegiate championships will be hosted in our region in 2007 in Tuscaloosa, AL. If you are on a non-sanctioned collegiate team or are interested in starting one, please read the article from Sarah Breevoort - our SECTC conference chairperson - below and contact her.

My main goal for 2007 is to ensure that you better understand the role of the Southeast Region -- we do much more than choosing state and regional championship races. We'll be working hard to encourage youth and junior development, physically challenged athlete recognition, masters programs and more. Board members will be present at many regional races to hear how we may best help you, your collegiate team, club, and children succeed in triathlon.

Safe training and Happy New Year!
Matt Bonvicin

Mark you calendars now for an exciting new event coming to the Southeast Region in 2007. The USAT-SE Region is partnering with the Nashville Chapter of Team in Training to host the 2007 Southeast Triathlon Expo on February 3, 2007. The event will feature a wide variety of local and national multisport vendors and organizations as well as informative clinics. The highlight of the Expo will be a special appearance by the phenomenal Hunter Kemper. Hunter will deliver an educational and entertaining presentation of his journey from IronKids National Champion to two-time Olympian. You will not want to miss this opportunity to pick up goal-setting and training tips from the best triathlete in the USA! Hunter will also participate in a panel discussion with top USAT-SE regional athletes and be available to answer questions and sign autographs at various booths at the Expo.

The 2007 Southeast Triathlon Expo will be held at City Hall in the trendy "Gulch" area of downtown Nashville from Noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday February 3 (check website for exact hours). For directions to the venue and to see an event schedule you can check the expo website www.southeasttriexpo.com. There will be exciting door prizes offered and plenty of swag for all attendees. The 2006 USAT-SE Regional awards will also be presented at the expo. The expo and clinics are free and open to anyone with an interest in learning more about a multisport lifestyle. Limited vendor space is still available and can be reserved by contacting Melissa Hudson-Gant at 615-331-2941.

The USAT-SE Region is excited to be partnering with Team in Training to educate the local and regional sports community about the resources that these organizations can offer to new and experienced athletes. Mark the date, spread the word and plan to be in Music City USA on February 3 for an incredible kick-off to the 2007 Southeast region multisport season.

Collegiate Triathletes,

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Sarah Breevoort and I have recently been granted the great honor of representing you as chairperson of the governing committee of the Southeast Collegiate Triathlon Conference (SECTC). The governing body of USA Triathlon recently established a national collegiate commission of officers representing various regions of the country, in an effort to expand, unify, and strengthen the sport at the collegiate level. It is the organization's hope to provide college students with the necessary tools to build and maintain a strong and long-lasting program at their school. SECTC, while working within a close partnership with the USAT SE region, will be its own entity devoted to the betterment of the team and athletes of our conference... full article