Honey Stinger Expands Hive Elite Program for 2021
February 9, 2021
Diverse lineup of athletes set to represent the brand through restructured pinnacle ambassador program
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.(Feb. 8, 2021) — Honey Stinger, the honey-powered sports nutrition brand, is pleased to announce its 2021 Hive Elite Program roster. Twenty-seven new standout recruits join a group of 24 top returners from the 2020 squad, forming a team of athletes more than 50-strong to represent the brand this year in their training, competitions, community outreach and other athletic pursuits.
The roster features a diverse group of athletes competing across a broad range of disciplines, from ultrarunning to rugby to skeleton. Individually selected based on several criteria, representatives are top performers in their respective sports, are active leaders among their athletic communities, and possess key characteristics and values that align with those of the Honey Stinger brand.
Mario Mendoza (trail and ultrarunning), Nell Rojas (running and obstacle course racing), Jared Ward (elite marathoner and 2016 Olympian), Mandy Marquardt (national champion and Olympic track sprint cyclist) and Katie Nageotte (national champion pole vaulter) are a sample of returning veterans who will continue to motivate The Hive in 2021. Newcomers Sammy Schultz (national champion modern pentathlete and 2021 Olympics qualifier), Robert Paylor (walking quadriplegic and motivational speaker) and Brian Llamas (elite middle-distance track runner) lead a collection of newcomers whose stories will inspire.
“We are honored to align with such an outstanding group of people through our Hive Elite Program, and feel fortunate to have so many high-performing athletes willing to promote our brand and encourage others to join the community,” said Luke Cherry, Honey Stinger’s Athlete Engagement Director. “No matter the sport or competition level, the Hive offers an inclusive community platform for athletes to connect on many levels. The Hive Elite Program will continue to evolve, and will play a pivotal role in communicating to other athletes that Honey Stinger’s products and people have their back through their daily pursuit of elite performance.”
Formerly distinguished as ‘Hive Gold,’ Hive Elite Program members are the community leaders, storytellers, and performance experts within the brand’s ‘Hive’ athlete ecosystem. While it has previously featured a variety of different sponsorship levels, the Hive program has been restructured for 2021 to include the Hive Elite Program — reserved for hand-selected, highly accomplished athlete partners who prove the efficacy of Honey Stinger’s products, and the Hive Ambassador Program – a robust community of competitive athlete ambassadors of all ranks and backgrounds who are loud and proud advocates of the brand. In total, there are more than 160,000 athletes within the broader Hive community.
The complete 2021 Hive Elite Program roster is as follows (* indicates returning athletes):
| – Ash Kempton, Strength & Conditioning** | – Kara LaPoint, Off-Road Triathlon* |
| – Adam Loomis, Nordic Combined* | – Kara Winger, Javelin* |
| – Alex Pond, Ski Mountaineering | – Katie Nageotte, Pole Vault* |
| – Andrea Pomaranski, Road Running | – Kim Hess, Mountaineer* |
| – Andrew Vos, Road Running | – Laura Crabtree, Obstacle Course Racing |
| – Andy Wacker, Mountain Running* | – Leslie Stratton, Skeleton |
| – Anna Mae Flynn, Mountain Running* | – Lindsay Goldman, Cycling* |
| – Antwun Baker, Strength & Conditioning | – Mandy Marquardt, Track Cycling* |
| – Ashley Brasovan, Mountain Running | – Mario Mendoza, Road Running* |
| – Brandon Mikesell, Extreme Sports | – Mohamed Hrezi, Road Running* |
| – Brendan Daly, Rugby | – Neely Gracey, Road Running* |
| – Brian Reynolds, Road Running* | – Nell Rojas, Road Running* |
| – Brian Llamas, Track & Field – Middle Distance | – Nic Moschetti, Skeet Shooting* |
| – Carly Waters, Rugby | – Nicole Mericle, Obstacle Course Racing* |
| – Charlie MacArthur, Ski Mountaineering | – Robert Paylor, Walking Quadriplegic & Motivational Speaker |
| – Clare Gallagher, Mountain Running* | – Sage Donnelly, Canoe* |
| – Clare Egan, Biathlon | – Sam Lewis, Mountain Running |
| – Colt Scott, Obstacle Course Racing | – Sammy Schultz, Modern Pentathlon |
| – Cooper Ott, Enduro Mountain Biking* | – Sarah Pizzo, Mountain Running |
| – Courtney Dauwalter, Ultrarunning* | – Tiffany Hensley, Rock Climbing |
| – Daniel Matheny, Enduro Mountain Biking | – Tim Cahhal, Mountain Biking |
| – Darcy Piceu, Ultrarunning | – Tony Spears, Endurance Athlete |
| – Erin Golston, Wrestling | – Tripp Hurt, Track & Field – Middle Distance |
| – Jared Ward, Road Running* | – Tyler Sigl, Ultrarunning* |
| – Jenna Burkert, Wrestling* | – Wendy Ong, Rock Climbing |
| – Kaci Lickteig, Ultrarunning* | – ** indicates team captain |
To learn more about Honey Stinger’s Hive Elite Program and to follow the athletes throughout the year, visit www.honeystinger.com/athletes.
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About Honey Stinger
Fueling top elites and everyday enthusiasts alike, Honey Stinger makes great tasting, convenient, honey-powered sports nutrition to help athletes prepare, perform and recover at their best. The company’s diverse product offering includes a variety of waffles, gels, chews, bars and more, providing natural, sustained energy for every endeavor. Based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado since 2001, Honey Stinger’s products can be found at sporting goods retailers, grocers, convenience stores and online at www.honeystinger.com.
