Our Champions

Rayme Hays

Hi there! My name is Rayme!💪🏼🧡 I am a wife, a mama, and a warrior! I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008, and since then, I’ve battled a few other neurological conditions that were meant to break me. But one thing you should know about me is that I have NO QUIT in me! I have been an athlete my entire life. I played premier softball and continued playing in college, competed in club volleyball, cheered, danced, did gymnastics, and ran. Movement has always been a huge part of who I am. Unfortunately, after the birth of my son, unforeseen circumstances complicated my mobility and changed my life in ways I never imagined. But again, I have NO QUIT in me! I have continued to push forward, continued to fight, and continued to show up for myself and my family. Through physical therapy, holistic treatments, and everything I can do to support my healing, I refuse to give up on myself or the life I know is still ahead of me. My journey looks different than I ever imagined, but my determination is stronger than ever. I WILL walk again. I WILL run again. I WILL dance again. I WILL feel like ME again. But for now, I WILL RIDE! 🚴‍♀️ I’m riding for my healing, for my family, for everyone battling MS, and for anyone who needs a reminder that their story isn’t over.✨ Please support me and my mission as I continue to fight, heal, and rise! 🌅 @RaymeRising 🌿 Healing in motion 🚲 💃 Mom. Wife. Returning Courage over fear.🦁 No quit in me. 🧡 #VulnerableAndVictorious 🏆

Kaley Pool

My name is Kaley Pool (Lester), and I’ve lived in the Kansas City area my whole life. Health and fitness have always been a huge part of who I am. At 20 years old, I competed in my first bodybuilding competition—a journey I continued for several years that taught me just as much about mental strength and emotional resilience as it did about physical discipline. I’ve always been the type of person who’s constantly moving, chasing goals, and taking on challenges headfirst. But in June 2024, my world shifted when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 28. Up until then, I was living freely, fully active, and healthy—until one day, I suddenly wasn’t. I had no idea what MS even was, and I struggled to process what was happening to me. This diagnosis came just six months after losing my sister to a sudden brain tumor at the age of 29. Navigating these back-to-back life changes has been overwhelming, but they’ve also deepened my perspective on resilience, family, and the importance of community support. I met Les and the WMS team a couple of months after my diagnosis, and I couldn’t be more thankful for a group like this. They truly care about the well-being of their members, supporting each person’s journey in a way that goes far beyond just providing great bikes. They make sure we have the gear, the encouragement, and most importantly, a community that understands. Everyone’s walk with MS looks different, but they welcomed me with open arms, and that has tremendously helped me adjust to this new path in life. That’s why this fundraiser means so much to me! It not only helps provide bikes, but provides resources and community for people living with MS. It fuels the hope that no one has to face this journey alone. Your support makes a real difference—and for that, I (we) are deeply grateful!

Matthew Tribbett

I was diagnosed in 2017 after some very confusing symptoms I experienced while out of the country. I was however familiar with the disease due to having an Aunt with MS, and also several neighbors and classmates from my hometown. One of the lingering symptoms has been balance and fatigue issues, so I started riding my bike again in 2025, and ran into a group of riders all wearing wrestling MS jerseys on my local bike trail... I stopped them and asked some questions, and the rest is history! I love this group because it is not judgmental, but keeps me accountable to my own abilities and goals!

Jeff Bell

Born on November 24, 1979, in Joplin, Missouri, Jeff Bell moved to Topeka, Kansas, in 1994. He graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1998 and earned a degree in Financial Management from Kansas State University in 2003. In 2004, Jeff relocated to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he lived until his diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis on September 13, 2007. Despite the challenges of his condition, he continued to push forward and recently moved back to Kansas City in January 2023. Jeff's journey with MS took a pivotal turn when he connected with Charlie Sizer, whose father Scott introduced him to Les and the WMS program. Though his initial attempt to join the program was unsuccessful, persistence paid off, and his acceptance marked a transformative chapter in his life. Today, Jeff no longer relies on a cane, has gained strength, and made significant progress in his health journey. With renewed energy and a fresh perspective, Jeff has set an ambitious personal goal for the year: to virtually complete the distance from Los Angeles to New York City, totaling 2,778 miles. This goal symbolizes his resilience and determination to continue sharpening his abilities and pushing his limits.

Emma Caldwell

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis June 4th 2004, I lost sight in my left eye after 6 weeks I regain my sight back. Went on with life as I thought then things start changing start having spasm real bad that was like six charlie horses put together in my left leg. And one year I was doing the MS Walk with my cousin and swope Park and my left side was doing this weird stuff and I can actually hear my foot hitting a payment and I had no control over it and that's when life changed even more with my walk. Had some other problems to happen in 2008 that landed me in the hospital for 9 months where I had to learn to walk all over again I was told I was never a walk without a walker and I would never be in heels again but I didn't let what they said stop me. And when I was telling people about me riding a bike they didn't believe me. So I am so grateful for Wrestling MS through all my pain I will be on the bike riding because I have no pain when I sit down on the bike it is a blessing to be able to get on the bike in the fresh air and I'm so grateful to have the hook up for my car and my own trike

Emily Hart

I was diagnosed in 1999 with MS at 18 years old. I joined Wrestling MS in 2020 right before the COVID pandemic shut down society—and I’ve been peddling through ever since. This organization has helped so many individuals with MS over the years, one bike at a time—with no out of pocket cost. Help us put even more individuals living with MS on bikes to reclaim their health and independence—no donation is too small! Thank you for partnering with us as we continue fighting this disease, one bike at a time.

Romaine Schott-Vollmer

ROMAINE SCHOTT-VOLLMER My name is Romaine Schott-Vollmer. I was born in KC and moved to Colorado for college and lived there for over 40 years raising two outstanding kids before moving back here to help my elderly father. I was diagnosed with MS in May 2000 and cancer within the same week. After the cancer was under control, I battled the MS. I’m pleased to tell you my MS is well managed and I’m able to do some of the activities I always enjoy like riding a bicycle and hiking. I have MS, but it doesn’t have me!

Heather StClair

I’ve had symptoms of MS since 2005 and have been officially diagnosed for several years now. With the help of physical therapy, Tysabri infusions, and now cycling I’ve gone from a wheelchair, to a walker and now a cane. I am a LEGO enthusiast, clicking bricks calms my brain, along with cycling and walking I've greatly improved my quality of life!

David Poskin

David Poskin is a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area and is a graduate of Rockhurst High School, the University of Missouri and UMKC Law School. David is from a large family with eight siblings and 30+ nieces and nephews. David and his wife Mari-Lynn have raised seven children (4 boys and 3 girls) and are blessed with one grandchild. Family is a big part of David’s life. Professionally, David spent the first twenty years of his career as a healthcare consultant, working for hospitals and healthcare systems throughout the United States. As his MS progressed and disability increased, David made a career change and has spent the last decade as a financial advisor with Waddell and Reed. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1989, David was able to maintain a very active social and physical life for about 10 years. David enjoyed coaching his kids in soccer and wrestling; (Oh yeah—David is a Rockhurst High Hall of Fame wrestler); and enjoyed extensive travel, running, swimming, biking, golf, skiing and competing in triathlons. After turning 40, David’s MS progressed at a more rapid pace and his earlier pursuits were curtailed. Before Wrestling MS, David had not been on a bike for over a decade. With the help and support of Wrestling MS, and a considerable time commitment from Duane and Mary Fritchie’s WHOLE family, David has now gotten back on a recumbent bike, both tandem and individual, and has biked well over 500 miles in the past 12 months! Wrestling MS has gotten David out of his wheelchair and active in meaningful physical and social activities. Now David enjoys spending his free time visiting family, reading, swimming and traveling — “to the lake”.

Effie Tuttle

I was diagnosed with MS almost three decades ago. My husband and I have been part of Wrestling MS since 2024, and it was the step that moved us from making excuses to taking action. Biking gives us a strong zone 2 foundation, and that foundation makes it easy to take our health into our own hands and correct the rest of our lifestyle one piece at a time. It's part of why I'm now on a lion diet that has me healing better than I have in years. I finished my first 1,000-mile challenge on the bike from Wrestling MS, and I'm doing it again. Wrestling MS was the catalyst for both of us to take real accountability for our health. The most important thing biking did was break my fear of exercise and let me embrace being healthy — and this organization has done exactly that for a lot of people, helping them get healthy and become part of a team. I love supporting it however I can, and I hope you will too. Let's get more bikes and more help to people living with MS.

Kathy Kasper

I was diagnosed with MS in 1991, when there were no disease modifying drugs. I was able to stay active with gardening, yoga and aquatic exercise. Since joining Wrestling Multiple Sclerosis, I have enjoyed the community of people who support one another and gained strength and balance. WMS is devoted to helping MS patients find hope and strength. Please consider contributing to WMS to put more people on bikes. Kathy Kasper

Zak Horneck

I was diagnosed with MS in June of 2021. My first symptoms were numbness and tingling on my left side, and I have never been asked to stick my tongue out at more people than when I went to the ER that first time. After developing weakness on my right side and needing a cane, I was diagnosed with MS. I spent the first year or so worrying that overexerting myself would cause more damage, until realizing that being active would actually help fight the disease. I am not able to run more than a couple feet, but I found that I could ride a bike without a struggle. In 2022, I took part in my first Bike MS ride, which gave me a goal of biking 70 miles to shoot for every year. After three years of participating in BikeMS, a nurse told me about Wrestling MS, and I joined Wrestling MS in the spring of 2025. Wrestling MS is allowing me to meet more individuals affected by MS, and develop a stronger network to deal with the affects of MS.

Sandra Cox

I was born and raised in Germany, and I began my career in the United States as a German kindergarten teacher. I always enjoyed working with children and over the years worked as a classroom teacher, mentor, instructional coach and resource teacher. I was on a great professional journey. However, everything changed in 2012 when I woke up one morning with right-side weakness that progressively got worse - I was diagnosed with MS. After digesting the news, I wondered how active of a lifestyle I would be able to live. Fortunately, that would be answered during my infusion sessions and talking to other WrestlingMS champions. I am so incredibly thankful to be part of this team. The camaraderie is so positive and helpful, and I have seen great physical improvements in my balance, stamina and overall well-being.

Cindy Smith

My name is Cindy Smith and I was diagnosed with MS in 2000. I grew up in Prairie Village and attended Shawnee Mission East High School. I graduated from Kansas State University in with a degree in Computer Science – Go Cats! I have an amazing husband, 3 children and 3 grandchildren. I love to entertain and have big family gatherings, however, it’s becoming more difficult as my MS is progressing and walking is difficult. It’s a good thing my family loves to cook! After more than 30 years working in the software industry, I am now retired and enjoying time with my family, especially my grandchildren. I also love scrapbooking, crafting with my Cricut, and decorating cookies. As my MS has progressed, I am no longer able to ride a traditional two-wheel bicycle, but that hasn’t stopped me from being part of this group. With the support of Wrestling MS, I ride a tandem bike with an amazing trainer who rides alongside me. They have also provided me with a recumbent stationary bike so I can continue exercising and building strength from home. Wrestling MS is more than a bike club—it is a community of strength, encouragement, and friendship.

Kara Goodier

On my 17th birthday, I lost sight in my left eye. I thought it was a blurry contact, but as I’m sure you can guess: it wasn’t. I was able to gain my eyesight back with steroids and graduated high school. I then attended Truman State University from 2010-2013 on a full scholarship, where I received a Bachelor in Creative Writing and a minor in Spanish. Through college, I experienced other symptoms (tingling hands and feet, slow speech) that I wrote off as stress or lack of sleep. But then I started losing sight in my eye again, and I knew it was more. I was officially diagnosed with MS in February 2014, but I’ve lived with symptoms since 2009. Having MS has taught me a lot about empathy, and self-care, and being strong enough to find yourself over and over again. It has also made me even more appreciative for the good things in my life—my job as an Executive Editor at Penguin Random House, where I get to use my passions to help connect people through books and stories; my wonderful family who I wish I could see more; my supportive husband, Dennis, and my furry family (my cat Rey and dog Rusty); and for all the other incredible people and opportunities in my life. I love hanging up my hammock, being out on a paddle board, and reading a book--and of course, I ride my bike with some amazing people. I joined Wrestling MS back in 2018, and they have been such an incredible, supportive, and encouraging community to be a part of as I navigate the ever-changing landscape of having MS. Along with being an MS Champion, I serve on the board as Events Planner, planning our two biggest events of the year and helping support all the other little events in between. I hope you can join us for an event sometime! I don’t mean it’s always easy—it’s not—but I do believe having MS has made me a stronger, more empathetic, resiliently-optimistic person.

Les Tilley

I was born and raised in Independence MO, and I discovered a love of running when I joined the cross country team in high school. Although I wasn’t particularly competitive, I ran casually for years after graduating from college. Then in 2017, I had a seizure, which led to the discovery of the first lesion in my brain. While it wasn’t enough for a diagnosis, that experience lit a fire under me, and I began training for longer and longer distances. I started running 10ks, then half marathons. Eventually, I ran my first full marathon in California in 2022, and I was hooked; I set a personal goal of racing in all 50 states. Kansas came next. I started having some unusual symptoms shortly thereafter, but my doctor wrote it off as a pinched nerve. I kept training, and in the fall of 2023, I set my personal best time at the Philadelphia Marathon. Just two weeks later, my arms and legs went numb, and I went to the ER. After a 5-day hospital stay and a series of tests, it was official: I had Multiple Sclerosis. As I was recovering from my big flare up, I had a lot of difficulty running, but I discovered I could still ride a bike. However, I was anxious about cycling by myself. When I learned about Wrestling MS, it gave me hope that I could stay active even when my legs just don’t want to move the way they need to in order to run. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of this team!

Wendy Kite

I was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the Spring of 2017, following several months of searching for answers for the unexplainable symptoms that began around Thanksgiving the year before. There was tingling and numbness on my left side, loss of balance, changes in my coordination and more. In 2020, I was introduced to Wrestling MS after my daughter’s roommate met Les Gatrel. Miranda shared information about the Wrestling MS National Cycling Team and within a short time I applied and was accepted by the Wrestling MS team. This team has been more than a small part of my therapy. Even though it is not a medical therapy, riding my bicycle has made a world of difference in how I feel physically, mentally and emotionally. In addition to the way that cycling makes me feel, I have made friends, learned about resources for my condition, been motivated, received coaching, and of course pedaled my bike thousands of miles. I don’t know where this MS journey will take me in the future, but I do know this-I would not be as strong and healthy as I am today if I had not gotten the opportunity to join WrestlingMS. The care and encouragement of Les Gatrel, the team, and our coach Duane Fritche have been life changing. I don’t know where else I would have found the support that I have received from the Wrestling MS community.

Les Gatrel

Les was born in Nebraska and grew up in Iowa. There, he became involved in the sport of wrestling, placing 4th and 2nd in the Iowa State 3A wrestling championship. He credits starting to work in the family landscaping business at age 10 and playing other sports for some of that early success. Wrestling continued to be a dominant theme in his life. He attended Central Missouri State University on scholarship where he achieved several honors: two time All American, four MIAA titles where he was named “Outstanding Wrestler” three times and also was presented the “Vernon Kennedy Award” for top male athlete his senior year. He is a member of UCM HOF, Indianola H.S. HOF, the Legends HOF, and the Missouri Chapter of the National Hall of Fame. After college graduation, he immediately started his highly successful coaching career, both collegiate and high school, including recognition as NCAA Rookie Coach of the Year in 1982 and HS Coach of the Year in Vero Beach, FL in 1985. Les changed careers in 1985, moving into financial services, specializing in life insurance and annuities, where he continued to earn accolades for nearly 30 years. In April 2012, everything changed abruptly with his MS diagnosis. He became very ill, had multiple ER visits and lost his balance. His wrestling buddies rallied around him to create WrestlingMS. With the discipline that he had to have in his wrestling career, he now turned it to fighting the battle with MS. Les has inspired so many by riding 3,000 or more miles a year since 2013. About 38,000 miles in total. Through all of this, Les says raising his sons is the best thing he has ever had a part of doing. Trey is 38 and Zach is 36. His favorite saying is "I may have MS, but MS doesn't have me". DONATE NOW

Karly Aldrich

Joshua Lynch

Trina Mackey

Rachel Watts

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