Riders and their significant others sipped pints of Irish ale, sampled horsdorves and were treated to a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the team’s successes during the past season and its future plans. Afterward, the team enjoyed a nice dinner and social time with the highlight being able to celebrate Dr Rudy’s birthday. Everyone belted out a Happy Bday tune and enjoyed some cake.
Team president Dave Eckel and member Rudy Byron began the meeting with a repeat performance of the presentation they made to our Wheaton Franciscan sponsors. After detailing the make-up of the team with its emphasis on developing young, promising riders and fielding a competitive Masters team in local and regional events, Dave and Rudy went on to describe the successes of the team’s three main events, the Whitnall Park Road Race, Wisconsin State Time Trial Championships and the Trek 100.
The Whitnall event ranked third in attendance among all 2008 WCA events and credit was given to race director Andy Reiland and all of the Team Wheaton riders/volunteers and the great support we received from our Wheaton Franciscan sponsors, who even had medical staff on site for race support. This year’s edition of the State Time Trial Champs had a terrific turnout and further improvements in the start position and marshalling should make the 2009 edition even better. The team also takes great pride in our fund-raising for the Trek 100, organized by Ben Bartoszuk, which this year brought in more than $3000 for the MACC Fund and its fight against childhood cancer.
Leadership for 2009
Team President Dave Eckel, Vice President Andy Reiland, and Treasurer Ben Bartoszuk will continue serving the team in 2009. Chris Sauer will join the leadership team as Webmaster, taking the place of outgoing member Scott Peterson.
New Riders Welcomed and Cat 3 development Program
Looking forward to the 2009 season, the team has committed significant resources towards a core group of young guys who will be competing in the Elite 3 races for 2009. Among the support the team provides all its members, this group will benefit additionally further in terms of a coaching program, clothing and additional racing expenses. Joining returning riders Nick Frye, Garrett McAllister and Addison Faul will be Jon Heile, David Paquette, Mark Horstmeyer and Mike Martinsen. USAC Licensed coach Dave Eckel will be coaching and directing this program.
The team has also added to great guys to the Masters 4 / 5 and 3 / 4 groups in Tyson Beck 
and John Svanda. The team is also looking to add a few more Elite Masters riders to its ranks in the coming months.
Adios Amigo
Sadly, the team is also saying good-bye to one if its most active members, Scott Peterson. Scott served as the team’s web guy, setting up the current website and also as the team’s treasurer. Scott’s attacking personality on the road, and his friendly demeanor off will be missed. The team signed an original photo of Scott at this year’s Chequamegon Fat Tire race in Hayward as a parting gift and also presented Scott with a statuette and a pound of coffee to revive him after those late night outings to the local watering holes in Littleton.
Good luck, Scott and bonne route!