About Hypercat
Hypercat Racing is an endurance sport performance coaching and consulting company. We specialize in cycling and running, offering private, group and on-line coaching. Hypercat welcomes all ability levels and seeks to partner with athletes who are committed to achieving their goals. While each of our athletes has a primary personal coach, each also benefits from the experience and expertise of the Hypercat coaching team. This offers our athletes the maximum service and opportunity to learn as much as possible about themselves, from their training experience and about their sport. We will help you achieve your goals with intelligent training and thoughtful guidance and feedback.
Coach Philip Casanta
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Coach Philip Casanta is regarded as one of the top endurance sport coaches in the western United States. A former professional cyclist, pro mountain biker and elite runner, Coach Phil combines his raw athletic experience as well two deacdes of coaching education and knowledge rooted in science that develops successful athletes year after year. Coach Phil has consistently produced athletes who improve dramatically, regardless of fitness level. Coach Phil's athletes set personal best times, qualify for IM Hawaii, win national and world championship titles and regularly climb the podium as age group champions. Despite the success of Coach Phil's top athletes, he is perhaps best known for his success with new athletes entering the sport of triathlon who are drawn to his effective and unintimidating teaching style.
Coach Phil has an impressive athletic background rooted in both cycling and running. A high school track standout at Buena High School in Ventura, CA, Phil competed for the bulldogs in cross country and track. With national class times in the 400 and the mile, Phil was a consistent performer as a high school athlete.
A catastrophic hamstring injury sidelined Phil and his dreams of becoming a world class runner. He turned to cycling to rehabilitate his injury. Phil trained and raced for several pro road cycling and mountain bike racing teams during the early 90's. Honing his racing skills on the famed roads of Europe including Belgium, France and Spain, Phil also raced domestically in the USA. He competed in his first run race in 1978, his first mountain bike race in 1983 and his first triathlon in 1984.
Today Phil enjoys training and racing for recreation. He derives the most joy from helping other athletes to learn about themselves and their sport. Coach Phil works with a select group of athletes who all share a passion to be the best than they can be.
Contact Phil regarding individual coaching and coaching services for groups, as well as equipment consultations and for bike fit analysis and positioning.
Coach Rachel Sears Casanta
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A native of Central Square, NY, Rachel's background is rooted in 20+ years of competitive running. A national 10k road racing champion at age 14, Rachel represented New York State at the Junior Olympic National Cross Country Championships. In addition, Rachel earned numerous regional track championship titles in the 1,000m (indoors), 1500 and 3,000. Rachel competed at several Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor New York State Track Championships as well as the Indoor Track Scholastic National Championships.
A collegiate runner for Syracuse University, Rachel competed her freshman year for the Orange. After taking a several year hiatus from serious competition, Rachel discovered duathlon and triathlon in 1999. In 2001, after winning the ITU Duathlon World Championship title for F25-29, Rachel was ranked #1 in the United States for amateur women ages 25-29. In 2002, Rachel joined the professional ranks. She is a three time US Elite Team World championship team member (ITU Long Course Triathlon 2005, 2006 and ITU Long Course Duathlon 2007) She also has toed the line with the world's best professionals at the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
In addition to training and racing, Rachel's love of sport led to the progression of becoming a private coach. Rachel's coaches both scholastic high school runners and adult multisport athletes. An ASCA Level I swim coach, USA Cycling Level I certified, USA Triathlon Level II certified and USA track & Field Level II coach, Rachel is the president of Hypercat Racing, and wife of Coach Philip Casanta.
