Frank Teasley

Race Director,
Pro Musher

Frank Teasley has been a professional dog musher for 19 years and bases his company, Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours, in Wyoming. He is a seven-time Iditarod veteran, who learned his craft from veteran musher and "Father of the Iditarod" Joe Redington, Sr.

Teasley's best Iditarod finish, in 1991, was sixth place out of a field of 74 teams. That same year he won the Sterling Silver Award for the most improved team, moving from a 19th place finish the prior year. In 1989, Teasley received the coveted Leonard Seppala Humanitarian Award for best cared for team. Other racing credits include finishes in the John Bear Grease 500 marathon, and for two consecutive years, 1st place finishes in the Race to the Sky 300.

Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours was co-founded by Teasley as a "pension-plan" for his experienced racing dogs and a "high school" for younger, less experienced dogs in training for racing. He breeds, raises, and trains Alaskan huskies, too.

Teasley was struck with the idea for a "Stage Stop" race in Wyoming several years ago, and was thrilled to partner with Wyoming Public Health to bring even more depth to the race. "I love the sport of mushing, and have always been dedicated to the well-being and health of these great animals. This race is a way to promote good health for all of us, and we have a lot of fun doing it!" The Stage Stop Race, Teasley adds, uses a format that gives people accessibility to the sport, its athletes, and its excitement. With the public involvement and the community partnerships, the "Race to Immunize" builds a lot of excitement.

Jayne Ottman - RN, MS

CO-Founder,   
 

In 1996, Ottman saw the opportunity for the Wyoming Department of Health to "strut their stuff" and become involved with the Race To Immunize. Following a quick introduction, a handshake and a true Wyoming gentleman's agreement, Ottman and Frank Teasley, race director, became good friends and co-founders of this magnificent race The main focus of the race is to highlight the importance of immunizations while developing community partnerships and education about good health, both in humans and animals.

Maria Hayashida

Pro Musher,
Spokesperson for W.P.H

Maria Hayashida is organizing the first annual Junior Stage Stop for 2000. She has been a professional musher, veterinary technician, and adventure sports model for both national and international publications and productions. She has competed in the IPSSSDR every year since its inception in 1996. She is currently on the IPSSSDR Advisory Board and has served as the Wyoming Department of Health spokesperson, traveling to schools, hospitals, business and service clubs around Wyoming. Earning tenth place in the 1998 Stage Stop, she was the top placing female musher. She also won the 1995 500 mile "Race to the Sky" in Montana. Traveling to Argentina with her dogs, she became the 1996 "Andirod" champion. In 1997 and 1998, she won Idaho's "American Dog Derby." In 1998, she and her brother, Matt, became the first brother and sister entered in Alaska's Iditarod. Other than working with sled dogs, Maria has interests as varied