Ben Sonntag

Sad news today.

Seawolf Ben Sonntag, while out training on his bike yesterday, was hit and killed by a car. He was 39 and a professional cyclist.

Ben skied for UAA from 2004 to 2006, and during that time he was an NCAA All-American three times, and the NCAA runner-up in 2006.  Ben came to UAA from Germany where he'd grown up and was one of the best in the world in Winter Triathlon (running, cycling, and skiing). In fact, Ben was Winter Triathlon World Champion in 2006.  

Ben is third from left in the sunglasses

After a couple years at UAA, it was clear that Ben had a bright future in professional cycling, so he left to pursue a career on the bike. He transferred to Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, won two college cycling national championships and began a pro cycling career that continued until yesterday, when he was out training for some upcoming races in Colorado.  

What we'll remember best about Ben, though, was not his long list of accomplishments, but his personality. He was the most approachable, humble person you could ever want to meet.  And hanging around with Ben, you'd start wanting to try to be more like him, with his easy smile and eagerness to share a laugh.  At least, that's the way it was for me. 

There have been news stories all over the internet today about Ben. I encourage you to read them. From the interviews in the news stories, it's clear that I wasn't the only one who thought the world of him.

https://durangoherald.com/articles/317099

https://www.velonews.com/2020/03/news/friends-and-teammates-remember-ben-sonntag_505917

https://durangoherald.com/galleries/1000-ben-sonntag-through-the-years

https://www.velonews.com/2020/03/culture/payson-mcelveen-on-ben-sonntag-he-was-the-model-endurance-athlete_507837