Team

Amy Hassell is an experienced cross-country and track coach who supports IRSRI with training design and athlete development. A former Utah State University runner, she set school records in the 1500m and indoor 800m, with her 2:08.2 indoor 800m record still standing. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida. 

Carmen Alder is an NCAA All-American distance runner at BYU and a member of BYU’s 2024 and 2025 NCAA championship cross-country teams. With personal bests of 4:07.29 in the 1500m and 4:29.49 in the mile, she brings an elite-athlete perspective to IRSRI’s work in training, performance, and athlete development. 

Chris Kuchin is a software and data engineering specialist who helps lead the technology behind the athlete-performance tools. He manages the RSLTS performance platform and helps transform GPS watch data, training logs, and performance trends into useful information for athletes and coaches. He is also a BYU adjunct faculty member, runner, and Roadrunner coach. 

Daniel Alder is a former BYU runner, military officer, and experienced coach who helps develop structured, age-appropriate training plans. His approach emphasizes gradual progression in endurance, speed, and strength while helping athletes understand the purpose behind their training and develop confidence, discipline, and long-term success in the sport.

Janeth Alder is a licensed massage therapist, former Olympian, and volunteer Roadrunner coach. She represented Ecuador at the 1992 Summer Olympics and earned multiple medals in South American and Bolivarian competition. She combines elite running experience with expertise in recovery and individualized care to help athletes stay healthy and enjoy long-term participation in sport.

John Hedengren is a BYU Chemical & Biological Engineering professor, former NCAA All-American distance runner, and founder of the Roadrunner Junior Club. A five-time Academic All-American and 2015 BYU Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, he leads efforts to combine engineering, artificial intelligence, athlete data, and coaching to improve performance while supporting healthy long-term athlete development. 

McGyver Clark is the Intermountain Health Sports Performance Director. He specializes in data science, software development, and coaches with a focus on data-driven athletic performance. He leads development of AI and biomechanics tools that make advanced performance analysis more accessible to athletes and coaches, combining his background in economics, technology, and competitive running.

Paul Thayer is Managing Partner at Heal Capital and an experienced energy-industry leader. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Ensign Natural Resources and held leadership roles at Murphy Oil after beginning his career as a Reservoir Engineer at ExxonMobil. A BYU Chemical Engineering graduate, he brings expertise in engineering, operations, and strategic management to support IRSRI’s long-term growth.

Aria Sterling is an AI Research Assistant who helps IRSRI make individualized coaching support more accessible to athletes. Aria assists with running-form analysis, answers athlete and parent support questions, and prepares weekly summaries that translate training and performance data into useful feedback.