SMW Regional Council Member
René LaVergne

Secretary
Rene' LaVergne, Little Rock, Arkansas
coolkidstri@yahoo.com

Appointed, 2007

Hi Ya'll,

     I am a 44 year old age group triathlete.  I am one of those people who thought running was punishment.  At 35 and recently diagnosed with high cholesterol, I decided to go for a run.  As I returned a friend called.  He thought I was having a heart attack from the heavy breathing.  He suggested we both enter a triathlon that summer.  My first triathlon was '98 Central Arkansas Triathlon Society (CATS) Sprint Tri in Conway, AR.  My life was forever changes.  In 6th grade I was a member of the Sunset, LA Boxing Club.  We knew that roadwork was the basis for our "ring legs."  I now am aware that roadwork is the basis for physical and mental strength.  If I don't get my run or workout before my day at the office, I'm a grumpy old fart all day long. 

     My son and best buddy, "Zack Attack" is my 12 year old partner in triathlon.  He and I enjoy our weekend trips to triathlon venues.  Last summer, Zack competed in more tris than I did....Ain't life just great!  We attended a kids tri camp in Austin last summer which really inspired me to get more involved.  As a result, I recently attended the USAT Congress in Colorado Springs where I took the certification coarses to become a level 1 coach and a race director.  I'm well on my way.  I plan on taking the race official clinic this spring so that I might help out at any race that I'm not competing in. 

     My main goals are to get a youth team rolling in my area and help strenghten the Junior Development in the region.  Triathlon has advanced so that the next Lance Armstrong doesn't have to go to Europe to make his / her mark.  I am planning to partner with local health clubs to get youth and adult triathletes started.  I hope to put on a series of youth camps, tri's & du's.  I also would like to start an adult sprint / olympic distance tri / kids duathlon in mid-summer. 

     I am a graduate of LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.  GEAUX TIGERS.  I love everything LSU and everything sport.  How bout them Saints!  My wife is a graduate of LSU-SVM and received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina.  Tar Heels rule basketball, or so she thinks.  Sonya's passion is riding her horse, Dakar, a beautiful grey Hanovarian in the dressage arena.  Jessica, our 15 year old daughter, is an freshman honor student who loves to read.  She is a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwando.  In 2006, she finished the year ranked 4th in the world.  Animal science principles dictate that the offspring be better than the parents.  It works.  When your daughter can kick your butt, you learn to speak softly and keep an eye on the exits.  I still think I can outrun her.  Zachary is also a 2nd degree black belt, an honor s tudent, basketball player, science challenge winner and multisport kinda guy. 

     After veterinary school, Sonya drug me kicking and screaming from cajunland.  You may not know that Everyone Is Either Cajun, or Wishes They Were Cajun.  You gotta love our food.  Actually, I love Arkansas.  The Natural State had beautiful clean lakes to swim in, nice mountains to hurt our flatlander brothren, and some hills to run over.  If you haven't tryed a tri in Arkansas, you're missing out!

As we say in south Louisiana, Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler, Cher!

René LaVergne

René's current term expires in 2013.