Meet the Trainers

Deanna Savo

Raised in Palos Verdes, California, Deanna Savo is a native Californian that now calls San Antonio her home. As a youth in California, running and athletics were always part of her life as she thrived in high school and college track and cross country as well as equestrian sports. After leaving California, to pursue a career in nursing through the US Army; Deanna always used her running as a constant companion for health and fitness and as a competitive outlet in life. “I have always been competitive, states Savo, “my running helps me to be a better person professionally and personally.”

After living abroad for several years, Deanna, her husband Randy, and their 2 children Candice and Jonathon now make Texas their home where Deanna began to take her running to an elite level. In  2004 Savo achieved elite status for the first time in her running career at the Austin 3M ½ Marathon with a time of 1:22:00.  After the Austin Motorola Marathon time of 3:00:00, she became a sponsored athlete with sponsorships from running shoe store outlets, running clubs and shoe companies.

Clearly, Savo is in the Elite category to stay. Nursing and caring for others is another constant in Savo’s life. As a school nurse for the Northeast Independent School District, Deanna also volunteers her time as a part time coach to the District and to the Alamo Heights running community.

Presently, Savo is training to qualify for the Olympic Trials. “This is an important year for me. I have geared my training to get me to the Trials, with the support of my family and colleagues, I should be able to make that lifelong goal a reality” If the past is an indicator of future goals, Savo should have no problem.

Julio Reyes

Julio Reyes has been a mainstay in the San Antonio running community. As the 2006 National Champion in the Masters 800 Meter Run, he has received many awards to fill trophy cases for his running achievements. As a personal trainer to elite athletes as well a professional athletes, Julio feels that his greatest reward is watching and helping novice runners achieve goals that they never thought possible.

Reyes has trained many local celebrities with his great insight to running such as many San Antonio Spurs and world boxing champion, James Lieja. As a USA Track/ Field Certified Coach, Reyes is presently happy to join TEAM SPEED for the Epilepsy Foundation. Central South Texas, “ I just get excited watching people run and achieve their running potential.—I get more out of that than winning any race!”