Andy Potts

Raised in Princeton, New Jersey, Potts graduated from Princeton High School in 1995.{{cite web|last=Alden|first=Bill|url=http://www.towntopics.com/jul2104/sports1.html|title=PHS Alum Potts Finds Direction In Triathlon; Now Aims to Soar at Athens Summer Games|publisher=Town Topics|date=July 21, 2004|access-date=2014-08-05}}

While attending school at Michigan, Potts met his future wife, Lisa Simes, who was a member of the University of Michigan gymnastics teams. Simes was an acrobat for the Cirque du Soleil show, O, in Las Vegas.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cirquetribune.com/database/artist.php?id=342|title=Artist Information: Lisa Simes|accessdate=6 December 2011|publisher=Cirque Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928005251/http://www.cirquetribune.com/database/artist.php?id=342|archive-date=28 September 2011|url-status=dead}} The two married on June 30, 2004. They have a son, Boston Thomas Potts and a daughter, Sloane Potts.{{cite web |url=http://www.usatriathlon.org/news/articles/2010/03/olympian-andy-potts-family-welcomes-newest-member.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-02-27 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802111521/http://www.usatriathlon.org/news/articles/2010/03/olympian-andy-potts-family-welcomes-newest-member.aspx |archivedate=2012-08-02 }}

Potts graduated from the University of Michigan in 2000 with a B.A. in English and a secondary teaching certificate. At Michigan, he swam for the Michigan Wolverines swimming and diving team from 1995 to 1999, serving as team captain for the 1998–99 season. Potts was a six-time NCAA All-American swimmer while at Michigan and a two-time Big 10 individual champion. He was also a member of the Michigan track team in 1999–2000.{{Cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2011-06-23/sports/29695047_1_andy-potts-philadelphia-insurance-triathlon-triathlete|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227142402/http://articles.philly.com/2011-06-23/sports/29695047_1_andy-potts-philadelphia-insurance-triathlon-triathlete|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 27, 2015|title=Swimmer diversifies into Olympic triathlete|last=Rohan|first=Tim|date=23 June 2011|publisher=Philly.com|access-date=2011-12-06}}

Potts began competing as a professional triathlete in 2003 and was named USA Triathlon Rookie of the Year. He was also the only athlete to break into the Top 100 World Rankings as a rookie.{{Cite web|url=http://www.2008.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=98/bio/index.html|title=Andy Potts Bio|access-date=2011-12-06|publisher=NBC Universal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517112337/http://www.2008.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=98/bio/index.html|archive-date=17 May 2012|url-status=dead}} Potts competed at the second Olympic triathlon at the 2004 Summer Olympics after only participating in the sport of triathlon for 22 months.{{Cite web|url=http://www.standard.net/topics/sports/2011/06/29/potts-found-new-adventure-triathlon-competition|title=Potts found new adventure in triathlon competition|last=Rohan|first=Tom|date=29 June 2011|publisher=Standard-Examiner|accessdate=6 December 2011}} He placed twenty-second with a total time of 1:55:36.47. In 2005 and 2006, Potts competed in a variety ITU Triathlon World Cup races, accumulating a number of top three podium finishes and finished out the 2006 year ranked third in the world.{{Cite web|url=http://www.triathlon.org/athletes/results/andy_potts/17/|title=Andy Potts Results|publisher=International Triathlon Union|access-date=2011-12-06}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.triathlon.org/athletes/profile/andy_potts/|title=Andy Potts Bio|publisher=International Triathlon Union|accessdate=6 December 2011}} Potts was recognized as USAT Triathlete of The Year in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.teamusa.org/usa-triathlon/athletes/andy-potts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227035119/https://www.teamusa.org/usa-triathlon/athletes/Andy-Potts|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 27, 2015|title=Andy Potts - USAT Athlete Profile|publisher= USA Triathlon|access-date=2022-03-24}}

In 2007, Potts won the triathlon event at the 2007 Pan American Games.{{Cite web|url=http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/potts_wins_panam_games/|title=Potts wins PanAm Games|last=Davies|first=Gareth|publisher=International Triathlon Union|date=15 July 2007|access-date=2011-12-06}} Later that year, Potts would win the 2007 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Florida, with a time of 3:42:33.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ironmanlive.com/events/ironman70.3/worldchampionship70.3/?show=leaderboard&y=2007 |title=World Championship 70.3 |publisher=World Triathlon Corporation |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713060559/http://www.ironmanlive.com/events/ironman70.3/worldchampionship70.3/?show=leaderboard&y=2007 |archivedate=2011-07-13 }} In 2009, he also added a title at the Wildflower Triathlon, winning in 3:59:41.{{Cite news |last=Aird |first=Donovan |date=May 3, 2009 |title=Newcomers Strike Gold: Wildflower Triathlon Rookies Potts, Berasategui Earn Wins in Men's and Women's Pro Divisions |work=The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA) |pages=S1}} On June 27, 2010, Potts captured his first career Ironman Triathlon win in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with a winning time of 8:24:40.{{Cite web|url=http://c28908.r8.cf1.rackcdn.com/2010/12/2010-CDA-Results-Book.pdf |title=Ironman Coeur d'Alene Results Book|access-date=2011-12-06|publisher=Ironman Coeur d'Alene |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426025934/http://c28908.r8.cf1.rackcdn.com/2010/12/2010-CDA-Results-Book.pdf |archivedate=26 April 2012 }} His best finish at the Ironman World Championship is a 7th-place finish at the 2009 Championships.{{Cite web|url=http://ironman.com/events/ironman/worldchampionship/?show=raceresults&year=2008&format=htm|title=World Championship 2008 Results|publisher=World Triathlon Corporation|access-date=2011-12-06|archive-date=2011-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120044248/http://ironman.com/events/ironman/worldchampionship/?show=raceresults&year=2008&format=htm|url-status=dead}} He was recognized again as USAT Triathlete of The Year in 2007 and 2008.

After finishing the swim in 2nd place, Potts took the lead on the bike and finished Ironman Coeur d'Alene with a strong 1st-place finish.{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Potts_Corbin_tops_at_IM_CDA__1414.html|title=Potts, Corbin tops at IM CDA|last=Carlson|first=Timothy|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=June 27, 2010}} In the fall, he set a new course record at Ironman Cozumel with a 2:52:19 marathon, the fastest time of the day.{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Potts_Van_Vlerken_take_Cozumel_1815.html|title = Potts, van Vlerken take Cozumel|last=Krabel|first=Herbert|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=November 28, 2010}} Andy Potts earned victories at Ironman 70.3 New Orleans and Ironman 70.3 Boulder, and at Ironman 70.3 Timberman, he earned his third victory in as many attempts.{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Potts_and_Warriner_rule_NOLA_1304.html|title=Potts and Warriner rule NOLA|last=Krabel|first=Herbert|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=April 18, 2010}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/Features/ROHTO_Boulder_70.3_winners_1707.html|title = ROHTO Boulder 70.3 winner|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=August 9, 2010}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/Features/2010_Timberman_70.3_1712.html|title = 2010 Timberman 70.3|last=Krabel|first=Herbert|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=August 24, 2010}}

In 2011 Potts had several successful performances at the half-ironman distance, including first-place finishes at Ironman 70.3 Florida, Ironman 70.3 Oceanside, and Ironman 70.3 Vineman.{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Potts_Snow_take_Florida_70.3__2066.html|title = Potts, Snow take Florida 70.3|last=Carlson|first=Timothy|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=May 15, 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Potts_Carfrae_take_Oceanside_1979.html|title=Potts, Carfrae take Oceanside|last=Carlson|first=Timothy|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=April 2, 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Potts_Rollison_take_Vineman_70.3_2205.html|title = Potts, Rollison take Vineman 70.3|last=Carlson|first=Timothy|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=June 17, 2011}} He also earned victories at Philadelphia Triathlon and CapTex Triathlon in Austin, TX.{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/A_2011_Philly_Tri_gallery__2155.html|title = A 2011 Philly Tri gallery|last=Krabel|first=Herbert|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=June 26, 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/It_s_Potts_and_Haskins_in_Austin_2098.html|title = It's Potts and Haskins in Austin|last=Empfield|first=Dan|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=May 30, 2011}}

In 2012, Andy Potts won the Ironman 70.3 California triathlon in Oceanside, CA for the fourth time. Later that year, Potts took first in Ironman 70.3 St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Potts is considered the winningest male ever to compete in the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, after having won the event for the 5th time in June 2012. Later in the year, Potts also won Ironman Lake Placid, Ironman 70.3, and Ironman 70.3 Branson. In 2012, he accomplished his best performance to date at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii with a 7th-place finish as the first American.{{cite web|url=http://andypottsracing.com/schedule.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-02-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129044403/http://andypottsracing.com/schedule.html |archivedate=2013-01-29 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Potts_McBride_take_70.3_Austin_3199.html|title = Potts, McBride take 70.3 Austin|last=Krabel|first=Herbert|publisher=Slowtwitch.com|access-date=2022-03-24|date=October 28, 2012}}

Potts, in 2013, won the Ironman 70.3 California triathlon in Oceanside, CA for the fifth time, edging out Jesse Thomas by 10 seconds. Potts also took first in Ironman 70.3 Eagleman, in Cambridge Maryland. Potts was the first repeat winner at Ironman Lake Placid, winning by 5 minutes over Daniel Fontana. The next year Potts won the Ironman Coeur d'Alene 140.6 On June 29, with a time of 8:25:44, edging Viktor Zyemtsev by less than three minutes. He finished fourth at the 2014 Ironman World Championship in Kona, HI on October 10, 2014 in a time of 08:21:38.

Potts began the 2015 season at the inaugural Challenge Dubai with a 12th-place finish, which was a result of a penalty that occurred during the bike leg. At Ironman Oceanside 70.3, Potts earned a silver medal finishing 2nd to the reigning Oceanside champion Jan Frodeno. Potts has since put together 1st, 2nd, 1st-place finishes at New Orleans 70.3, Texas 70.3, and Chattanooga 70.3 respectively. Potts won the Ironman Coeur d'Alene 140.6 on June 28, with a time of 8:20:35.

In 2016, Potts won the Ironman Canada 140.6 on July 24, with a time of 8:20:23.{{cite web |url=http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/canada/results.aspx?rd=20160724&race=canada&bidid=3&detail=1#axzz4I4dTtRi5 |title=Ironman Canada Results |website=www.ironman.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728182515/http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/canada/results.aspx?rd=20160724&race=canada&bidid=3&detail=1 |archive-date=2016-07-28}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{Official website|http://andypottsracing.com/}}
• {{World Triathlon}}
• {{Team USA|new_id=andy-potts-837380|old_id=PO/Andy-Potts|archive=20230606002522}}
• {{Olympedia}}
• {{Olympics.com profile}}

{{Footer Pan American Champions Triathlon Men}}

{{Footer Ironman 70.3 Triathlon World Champions men}}

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Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:American male triathletes

Category:American male medley swimmers

Category:Triathletes at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic triathletes for the United States

Category:Sportspeople from Hershey, Pennsylvania

Category:Michigan Wolverines men's swimmers

Category:Sportspeople from Princeton, New Jersey

Category:Princeton High School (New Jersey) alumni

Category:Medalists at the 1995 Summer Universiade

Category:Summer World University Games medalists in swimming

Category:FISU World University Games bronze medalists for the United States

Category:Triathletes at the 2007 Pan American Games

Category:Medalists at the 2007 Pan American Games

Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States in triathlon

Category:21st-century American sportsmen