John Ebel

Tom Kirk

Tom Kirk is the oldest member on the team. He is very dedicated to running and is an inspiration to everyone. He has been running for 7 1/2 years and has run two marathons, several half marathons, 10 and 5 K's. He is very dedicated to exercising as he rides bikes, hikes, cross country skies, snow shoes and plays racquetball (does this weekly).

The most favorite race that Tom likes to run is the Outward Bound relay of 170 miles from Idaho Springs, Colorado to Glenwood Springs, Colorado that is held in the fall of every year. There was one year that he was not able to run and he was very disappointed.

Tom is very excited about running the upcoming Outward Bound relay race and is so very thankful to God to have all the team members from his church knowing that each one is very dedicated and serious about running this race. This will be the fourth race that he has run.

Steve Kubick

When Steve was 6 years old he was living on an airforce base in Mississippi with his family. His dad was a runner at that time. Steve's dad would allow Steve to run with him. Steve would run as far as he could with his dad and then he would sit down on a bench, usually at a park or the golf course. Because this was "a LONG time ago", and it was on base, it was safe for Steve to do this. Steve would rest and wait for his dad to return and then Steve would run the rest of the way home with his dad, who would then usually keep running some more.

At an early age Steve developed a love for running. I believe that what you develop as a child, be it physically by hard work and exercise, emotionally by enduring not always having their way, mentally by being stretched alittle beyond what a child feels capable of learning, or spiritually by seeing the hand of God in their life, will carry with them for the remainder of their life. Steve obviously is an example of this with his running. He has always used running for fun or exercise.

Steve believes running to be a life skill. You don't need any special equipment to do it, except a good pair of shoes, you don't need anyone else to do it with, and you can do it anywhere, even if that means on the treadmill at a hot, stinky, motel when you are traveling for your job. Steve also developed his love of running - fast - so he could play soccer, which is his second favorite thing to do. Steve has used running to keep his body in shape because he comes from a family that is predisposed to easily gaining weight. Steve also loves to eat, so his motto is, if I am going to eat the foods I love then I am going to have to run to keep the weight off. When he feels a few extra pounds coming on he just goes out for a longer run, and much to my dismay, he seems to loose the weight THAT week!!!

Steve is so excited about this relay race, as it has been on his life goal list to run a marathon. Last year an injury in the last weeks of training kept him from obtaining that goal last September, but he is looking at this relay race as the training ground for preparing for that marathon he so desperately wants to run. He feels like he is almost there, and is now looking for a marathon to compete in soon.

Rick McQueary

Jeff Musgrave

I think Jeff was born to run!  In the short three years that he has seriously made this a part of his weekly routine it has become a source of strength, a genuine stress relief, and a needed discipline.  In the spring of ‘05 he ran his first race – a 5K – with his good friend an inspiration, Tom Kirk.  From there he ran a half Marathon and then began rigorous training for the American Discovery Trail Marathon, which he ran in 4 hours and 12 minutes on Labor Day of 2006.  Twice he has run the Bolder Boulder, once with his son and daughter-in-law (Josh and Priscilla), and the next year with just Josh due to the birth of their child, Karis – Jeff’s first grandchild!   Of all the races, this relay race is the one he is most excited about because he has trained and will run with some of his very best friends.  He is approaching his goal of running 8 minute miles.  Jeff’s average running time has increased from 9 min. 30 sec. miles to 8 min. 30 sec. miles.  In all of life Jeff is a plodder, not easily discouraged and without room in his life for the word “quit”.  In ten years, unless something unexpected happens, Jeff will more than like still be running.

Byron Osterberg

Byron has been running now for 17 months and has logged over 1200 miles. This trek or obsession began as a result of age, being a couch potato, and a love of pizza and nachos. His resolve to try to address these results started with a run of one mile - it progressed and now he averages 25 miles a week. He has completed two 10 Ks and two ½ marathons and is looking forward to experiencing his first relay and running through the night. Byron is 47 years old and has been married to the wife of his youth Fran for 28 years. The Lord has blessed them with two wonderful young ladies, Amanda - 2 and Kimberly - 22.

Chris Petterle

Chris is the lone female on our team. She is proudly serving as a stay at home mom to three boys (Jacob-9, Joshua-8, Justin-5). She has been married to Joel for 11 years.
Chris grew up in New York on Long Island. Afterwards she attended the Air Force Academy. After being an AWACS navigator for a few years, Chris became an Air Force pilot flying T-38 aircraft as an instructor pilot, Afterward she flew C-130 cargo planes. One day Chris got the opportunity to parachute out of the C-130, which she did. This was a lifetime goal she had. Once Joel and Chris got married Chris gladly gave up her career to raise a family.

Chris accomplished another lifetime goal in 1997 when she ran the Detroit Free Press marathon. She has run off and on for many years and was excited to attempt the challenge of running in the relay. Whenever Chris runs she always gives it her all. We are lucky to have her on our team for the enthusiasm she brings.

Joel Petterle (Team Captain)

Joel is a born athlete and leader. Since Jeff Musgrave (fellow teammate and Pastor at Highlands Baptist Church) approached Joel about the Colorado Relay in August 2006, Joel has show the leadership and dedication which marks all of his training as an athlete. Joel has been married 11 years to wife Chris and father of the "J - boys" Jacob (9), Joshua (8), and Justin (5).

Joel is physically and mentally a disciplined runner and athlete. Prior to marrying in 1996 Joel ran several marathons (Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit(twice), and the famous Boston Marathon) and lots of smaller distance races. One of his most amazing physical accomplishments was successfully completing the Clermont Triathlon in 1998 (Ironman distances - 2.4mi swim; 112mi bike and 26.2mi run) and all the smaller triathlons during training for the big event. The Colorado Relay will undoubtedly be a jumping off point for an entirely new area of racing for Joel in the future.

When Joel isn't laced up he spends lots of time with his family. The boys enjoy playing games and sports with daddy and have also logged many miles on their bicycles riding along side daddy on his training runs. When he is working he is a pilot with United Airlines. Prior to his time with United, Joel was a C-130 pilot with the United States Air Force and Michigan Air National Guard. He flew during turbulent times in Somalia and also flew in Desert Storm while on active Duty. Joel has been married 11 years to wife Chris and is daddy to the "J - boys" Jacob (9), Joshua (8), and Justin (5).

Shaun Walker

Shaun is the youngest member of the team. But, as he would say, "I'm not a runner, I'm a 'Walker'". I am so proud of him, for he has truly become a runner. Whatever Shaun puts his mind to he does it with all his heart. He started training for this race in July and has come to enjoy running. Other than the 5k run on July 4th this is the first race Shaun has run. He has greatly enjoyed the team spirit and training with some of his teammates. Shaun did a good job putting together the team website and blog. It seemed to draw the team closer together as they were able to blog about their training experiences and encourage one another.

Shaun and I (Shannon) have been married for 4 1/2 years. We have a little girl, Naomi, who is 16 months old and she is going to become a big sister in November. I was so glad to see everyone cross the finish line in one piece. I hope you all can do it again next year.

Dave Young

Dave was born in Orlando, Fl. He became a Christian at age five, when he asked Jesus Christ to be his Savior. He has a business degree from Clearwater Christian College, and a degree in computers from the University of South Florida. Dave is married to Jessica, and he is a great dad to their 4 children, Reagan, Daphne, Claire and Alex. Dave is a programmer and Team Lead for IBM. He enjoys running, biking, and all things computer-ish. He has truly enjoyed participating in the Highlands Trail Runners with other members of Highlands Baptist Church.