Marshall Nordic Ski Team Athletes

Section 1

Coach of the year Dan Kust (Northfield)
Dan has done a wonderful job this last year continuing to build his program. Dan is a diligent and hard working member of the ski community. His positive attitude and excitement are contagious. Though he coaches a smaller southern school ”Banana Belt” Dan’s team has grown during his tenure to a quite large team. He has all ranges of athletes from the beginner to the expert, and has developed a system to help the entire out. One of the things you will all notice if you run into him or his team is the positive attitude. Dan’s team is also positive courteous and respectful. His athletes leave his program with more then just learning how to ski; they leave his program better people. With all the coaches I have run across of the last 12 years of coaching, I am most pleased that I have come to know Dan. When I think about how to handle a situation, I often try to contemplate Dan’s actions.

Nominated by James Kyes

Assistant of the year – Matt Maher (Park High School)

Matt has been one of the assistant coaches for the combined teams of Park and Woodbury now for 8 years, He is driven to not just help the top skiers fulfill their dreams and desires, but to continue the showing people around the community what a wonderful life long sport Nordic Skiing can be. Matt works diligently as a motivator and mentor for many of our skiers, his friendly personality makes him very easy to talk to and get to know. Matt is constantly working to promote good sportsmanship, integrity and strong work ethic. Though Nordic skiing is a love of Matt’s, it is often more about the person for him. He is constantly working to find ways to build up the individuals within the team. He helps skiers grow into productive individuals while teaching the fundamentals of our sport. You will not see him stand up and fight for policies, rules, or administrative changes, instead during those times he will be busy building a network of skiers who love our sport and who will become productive adults who also promote Nordic skiing. Over the last year Matt has stepped up even more and used his ability to think outside the box to help our program out.

Volunteer of the year Mark Parr (ISD 196)
In spite of an extremely busy schedule as the Director of Secondary Education and #2 man in ISD 196 Mark has served as the team’s: fund-raising coordinator, head snow shoveler and assistant groomer;
repairman for the snowmobile, volunteer coach, and waxer for our team. An avid skier himself, it actually was Mark who made it possible for us to have the Section 1 meet at Valleywood making sure all the necessary permits were secured, hiring people to do the parking etc., etc., etc. As a matter of fact, it was Mark who made it possible for us to purchase a snowmobile (through booster club fund-raising dollars which he coordinated raising) and a state of the art $5,000 groomer that has made it possible for us to practice and race at Valleywood. Now while you might say that his work for the district makes him ineligible to be considered as volunteer of the year, none of the work mentioned above is even close to his job description. This is a parent who will show up at races in his dress coat and shoes and apply klister to student’s skis when it is 4 degrees, a guy who will shovel snow with me at 9:00 at night not just before a race, but to make sure our skiers have a good track for practice, an individual who will find a trailer to tow our broken snow mobile to a dealership to be fixed and then spend all kinds of hours pressuring the dealer to repair it before our next race; and someone who fills in as an volunteer assistant coach when my regular
coaches are sick (one had mono this year) or can’t make practice due to school commitments

If there is anyone out there who has done more for a Nordic team this year to insure its success, please let me know. I’ll want to convince them to move to Apple Valley and have their kids join our team. Mark is
the best and had earned the nickname he has among staff in our school district where he is known as “the fixer.”

Nominated by Brian Abery, ISD 196

Section 2 Nominations

Jonathan Sanborn Maple Grove High School Nordic Coach of the Year

Jon is a great coach that pushes, cajoles,
pulls, and shows our skiers how to do it. He works with skiers of all levels even though he is a top level racer himself. Jonathan has taken skiers on weekends to competitions, he has been instrumental in piloting the “Jamboree” (three event race format that is proposed for a state meet format), and he is an excellent role model for the competitors on our team.

Nominated by Gary Gerst
Maple Grove High School Nordic

Maria Stewart, Wayzata High School, Assistance Coach of the year for Section 2.

Maria has been a coach at Wayzata for the past 5 years and has contributed immensely to the Nordic Ski Program. After a successful high school career as a skier, Maria ski at NMU in college and then returned to The Twin Cities to pursue a PhD in nutrition at the University Of Minnesota. She has been able to complete her doctorate and still coach at Wayzata.

Maria is a mentor to many of the skiers, both boys and girls, and with her expertise in nutrition is a valuable resource in proper eating habits. She is an excellent technician in both skating and classic and is able to translate this to both beginning and advanced skiers.

If there is a task that needs to be done, Maria has already identified it and finished the task before anyone else has thought of starting it.

Maria is very generous with her time making sure the skiers get the attention they deserve from the best to the beginner. This includes lending out her own equipment to skiers in need.

Maria has organized run a sprint race for the JV racers (over 70 skiers) for the past 2 years that gives the JV skiers an opportunity to be included during the Section Meet time frame.

Not to be ignored is Maria expertise as a racer both in mental preparation and in waxing, which she is able to impart to the skiers.

In summation, Maria is fantastic assistant coach responsible for much of the success of large (105 skiers) ski program.

Nominated by Larry Myers
Wayzata Nordic Ski Coach

Section 3

Not all nominations received

Dick Dumas Volunteer of the Year Nominee – Section 3

Dick Dumas has given an extraordinary amount to the sport of Nordic skiing throughout his life. After starting the program at St. Paul Como Park High School and serving as the head coach for many years, Coach Dumas has been a volunteer assistant for the past three years. Despite his status as a “volunteer”, he remains ever-present out on the snow. Whether applying klister or teaching basic skate technique, Coach Dumas is extremely committed to the program and devoted to the student-athletes on the team.

Coach Dumas’s work at Como Park has helped expose literally hundreds of young people to the sport, many of whom would have never had an opportunity to ski were it not for his work. Over the years, Coach Dumas has accumulated a sizeable collection of skis, boots, and poles for the Como Park Nordic ski team. He solicits donations, does fund-raising activities, and scours ski swaps and end-of-season sales to acquire equipment for the Como Park program.

In addition to acquiring all of this equipment, Coach Dumas takes it upon himself to repair and maintain it. Thanks to this work, Como Park can equip dozens of skiers each year, exposing them to the sport without the financial burden of purchasing that equipment. It’s difficult to estimate how many student-athletes over the years have been able to participate in Nordic skiing thanks to Coach Dumas’s stockpile of equipment. Often, these skiers go on and work summer jobs in order to buy their own equipment. Many have become lifelong enthusiasts of the sport.

Coach Dumas radiates excitement for the sport. His encouragement of new skiers is probably his most valuable asset. Always thrilled to work with beginning skiers, Coach Dumas has shepherded countless novices along the path to skiing proficiency. As an interesting sidenote, Coach Dumas also taught both the current head coach and assistant coach at Como Park nearly everything they know about the sport. He also volunteers with the boys and girls tennis teams at Como Park.

Coach Dumas was also instrumental in reaching out to the ELL students (English language learners) at Como Park. As a result, in the past two years, over 25 Hmong students who recently relocated to the U.S. from southeast Asia have gained an immense appreciation for the sport of Nordic skiing.

Coach Dumas’s nonstop encouragement and unfailing recognition of the small steps the beginning skiers make keeps them excited and is in no small part responsible for their eventual successes in the sport. Dick Dumas gives his all to the program that he started, insuring that it will continue to provide opportunities to the kids of Como Park
Nominated by Chris Lundstrom

Section 4

Coach of the Year, Section 4: Kris Hansen (Stillwater)

In my second year of coaching with Kris Hansen, I have come to have a tremendous amount of respect for her as a coach. The Stillwater Nordic program has maintained a philosophy which encourages broad participation. This enables student athletes with a wide range of abilities and commitments to enjoy the sport at the high school level. It also increases the logistical challenges of running the program.

Kris is an amazing administrator. She is at the center of all that goes into the success of the team. Her duties include coordinating race schedules, recruiting and training coaches, media coverage, bus schedules, ski trips, equipment, summer training, practice schedules, and the list goes on. She works tirelessly at planning and communicating with coaches, parents and athletes. Each week throughout the season I receive at least ten emails of various communications and updates.

Kris is a tremendous technical coach. She has an amazing ability to analyze technique and get right to the core of how athletes can improve. She spends many work-outs standing along the side of the trail as lines of skiers go by. Her technique pointers are always right on target. She researches diligently and discusses strategies and training programs with other high level coaches. She writes work-outs that target core varsity athletes and then tailors them to meet the needs of individuals.

Kris is a great encourager. She builds athletes up and gives the type of support necessary for young athletes. She is patient and maintains an even keel even when facing difficult personalities and circumstances. She is continually striving to find ways to improve both herself and her athletes.

Kris is a healthy role model. Away from the sport she has achieved a tremendous level of success in the workplace. She is dedicated to her role at home as a wife and mother of three children. Most students in the program balance their skiing with rigorous academic schedules and other interests such as music and theater. Athletes who she coaches are encouraged in all their endeavors and learn by her example the importance of achieving a healthy balance in life.

It is a privilege to coach alongside Kris and to benefit from her knowledge and dedication. I believe Kris embodies all of the qualities that make a great high school Nordic coach. It is evidenced by racing results at Stillwater and also by athletes who are preparing to succeed in the broader arena of life.
Nominated by Torry Kraftson (Stillwater)

Assistant Coach of the Year, Section 4: Fred Kueffer (Roseville)

Fred Kueffer has been coaching at Roseville for 38 years. He has coached hundreds of kids that continue to ski recreationally and professionally with in the community, at a college level and even at the elite racing level. He has coached countless Conference Team and Section Team Championships, as well as many State Team Championships and hundreds of individual podium results. In addition, Fred has compiled the All-State Academic Awards for the past 12 years.

This year in particular Fred has been instrumental in the smooth transition between head coaches, the first head coaching change in the history of the program. He has maintained stability at practices, been reliable in making sure no detail has been missed logistically, has established permanence with parents and is someone the kids depend on to answer questions. He is the only coach at Roseville that works at the school; therefore he is able to answer questions throughout the day from students, parents, teachers and administrators.
Fred coaches because he loves being active, Nordic skiing, and he loves to teach. Each season Roseville has 50-90 skiers participating largely due to the relationships Fred has made with the students in class and in other sports. He often is the reason why some of the kids come out for skiing. Fred puts in countless dedicated hours, I often show up to the ski room to find everything out and ready to go for practices, races and ski trips. He treats every skier equally; spending time with everyone and showing concern for the development of each member of the team.
Fred Kueffer is an outstanding candidate for the Nordic Assistant Ski Coach of the Year award.
Nominated by Jamie Misner (Roseville)

Volunteer of the Year, Section 4: Mark Stewart (Woodbury) Tied Vote
Mark has been involved in our program for 7 years now. He his younger daughter is currently on the team, but his involvement has gone well past just having her on the team. Whether it is taking part of our fund raising, coaching athletes, chaperoning our trips, working meets (starter), or waxing skis, Mark has made a huge impact on our team. His dedication to athletes and technique keeps me on my toes. He is constantly helping me with my technical expertise while coaching some of the younger athletes. Mark is a vital part of our team, and our program could not be where it is today without his work.
Nominated by James Keyes (Woodbury)

Volunteer of the Year, Section 4: Phil Misner (Roseville)
Phil, in his third year as a volunteer, has been an invaluable help to our program. He has been in attendance every day, and has contributed in countless ways. He is great at teaching technique-he is able to work with all levels of skiers, and is especially appreciated by many of our younger skiers. A former downhill racer, he can really demo downhill technique, and has become an excellent all around skier and instructor. Another huge plus is that he can stay with the fast skiers in practice! He has spent many hours in the wax room waxing skis and teaching how to wax. As a racer himself he knows race strategy, is an expert at wax testing, and greatly contributes to our skiers having the fastest skis and races possible. I constantly see many of our skiers going to him for advice on all sorts of skiing issues. We really appreciate all that he has contributed to our program over the last three years.
Nominated by Fred Kueffer (Roseville)

Section 5

 

 

 Coach of the Year Nomination:
Pete Tremaine – Anoka High School

I am nominating Pete Tremaine for Coach of Year. Pete took a team that was only middle of pack for both boys and girls in 2007 and turned them into very competitive teams in 2008. The boys’ team went from 6th place in 2007 to Conference Champions in 2008 with the same core of skiers and was a contender for the Section 5 title, qualifying two boys for the state meet. The Anoka girls also improved finishing 2nd in the NWSC and 2nd in Section 5 in 2008, also qualifying two girls for this years State Meet.
Nominated by: Denny Green

 
Assistant Coach of the Year Nomination:
Terry Lillibridge – Armstrong High School

I would like to place the name of Terry Lillibridge of Armstrong High School in nomination for assistant coach of the year.

Terry has served as assistant coach at Armstrong for the past 10 years. His strengths as a coach are many. They range from establishing strong rapport and friendships with skiers of all abilities to being a skilled teacher of technique, training and waxing. His patient personality has made him especially effective in working with beginning skiers.

Giving generously of his time, Terry often uses vacation days from his job at FedEx to attend meets and holiday training camps. He also motivates students to continue skiing after the high school season ends by organizing groups to ski the American Birkebeiner.

Terry combines the best qualities of a coach: he consistently produces high-level competitors and also serves a role model demonstrating the benefits of skiing as a lifetime activity for maintaining physical and mental health.
-Nominated by: Don Wolter, retired Nordic ski coach

Volunteer of the Year Nomination:
Loren Haas – Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony

I will nominate Loren Haas from Spring Lake Park for volunteer of the year. He built 10 wooden wax tables for us (you can put 2 wax forms inside each one and not get wax all over the room). He also built 10 expandable wax forms with portable wood stands that have been great for us at meets. He built a classic groomer (powered by a skier) and a skate groomer (powered the same way) for use on our track in low snow years. He also helps out with waxing when we are at conference, Mesabi and any other meets he can attend. Loren currently has an 8th grade daughter on the team and had another graduate last year who skied 6 years with us. He put in countless hours working on these projects for us.
Nominated by: Mike Miller

Section 6

Nominations not yet received

Section 7

Coach of the Year Nominee Paula Anderson, Ely

Each year the Nordic Ski Coaches Association selects an exemplar to honor for their work as a coach and ambassador for our sport. Paula Anderson has given of herself in ways that have not only provided success to the Ely High School ski team, but to the entire Minnesota high school skiing community.

Ely has one of the smallest student populations for schools with cross-country skiing, yet she continues to attract a team that makes up almost 10% of enrollment at the high school. The Ely ski team is a club team that is funded only from community supported fundraisers. Paula is involved with the yearly acquisition of funds to secure that another ski season will take place in Ely. She not only works to make sure the funds are developing, but that the skiers are developing as well by leading a summer workout program. Her ability to individualize the training for her athletes is a unique skill. I have observed her talking with athletes about their physical state and making adjustments to a workout program to best serve them. This is a manifestation of her commitment to the student athletes and the amount of time and effort she devotes to the sport. Both her boys and girls teams finished 2nd at the Section 7 ski meet. Seven individuals qualified for the state meet and all of those athletes are 10th grade or younger. This shows her ability to develop young athletes into well rounded skiers.

While Paula takes care of skiing matters in our community, she is also seeking to develop the presence of cross-country skiing within the Minnesota State High School League as our Coaches Association president. She makes the time to inform coaches of what is taking place around the state and acts on issues that concern us all.

When I reflect on the art of coaching and the complexities of athlete motivation, operational organization, technical knowledge, and group dynamics, Paula Anderson is the best model that I have had the pleasure to work with and know as a true friend.

Nominated by Todd Hohenstein – Ely Assistant Coach

Dave Kask – Duluth East High School – Section 7 Assistant Coach of the Year

Dave has been the Duluth East Assistant Nordic Ski Coach for the past 7 years. He helps with all aspects of the team from technique instruction to waxing to grooming our courses for races. His involvement with the team is more as a Co-head coach than as an assistant. Our team would not be what it is without Dave.

Dave was instrumental in starting our Section 7 Jr. High and Junior Varsity Championship races. These races are held the weeks of Sections and State. Dave believes it is important to keep all our skiers skiing as long into the high school season as possible even though there is a lot of extra coaching work involved in getting the skiers ready for these two races. Dave will put the extra effort in for the kids.

Dave is the co-leader of the Duluth East West Yellowstone Ski Trip. He knows it is a great trip for our team but he also believes it is important to help our high school ski community. Skiers from other schools have always been welcome to join Duluth East on this trip. This has the wonderful side benefit of many great friendships developing between Northland skiers from different schools.

Dave is interested in developing the best team possible at Duluth East. It is also important to him that the Duluth East Nordic Team be a good program for all the skiers who join the team, not just the fastest skiers.
“Papa K” is Dave’s nickname. The skiers know he is very fond of them and they respect and love him too.

Dave is a great assistant Coach.
Nominated by Bonnie Fuller-Kask

Steve and Alicia Deschene Section 7 Volunteers of the Year 2007-2008

Steve and Alicia Deschene provide timing services for almost every section 7 and many section 8 ski meets. They only charge a small amount for mileage, supplies, and equipment upgrades, so that we can keep our meet entry fees low. Results at every meet are completed within minutes of the last skier crossing the finish line. Each coach receives a packet of results before or during the awards ceremony. Results are then posted on their website within hours of the race’s completion. What more can we say…Steve and Alicia bring our sport up to the next level and make our jobs as coaches easier. The skiers appreciate the work that they do and we all feel that we could not do without Steve and Alicia!!!

Unanimously chosen by the section 7 coaches!!!

Link to Steve’s Website

Section 8

Head Coach: Terry Wasland, Little Falls
Terry has his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from South Dakota State University. He played college basketball. Terry grew up being pulled by a vehicle on wooden skis in South Dakota. He was on the skis, not the vehicle. Terry has been married 30 years to the same woman, father of 3. He is the Guidance Department Director in Little Falls. Terry is an avid hunter and fisherman. He has been the girls Cross Country running Head Coach for 7 years and the assistant for 12. He has worked very hard to run and maintain the Little Falls Nordic Skiing program and is bringing his girls team to state for the second year in a row.

Assistant Coach: Ryan Aylesworth, Bemidji

Ryan Aylesworth is a teacher at the Bemidji Middle School which gives him a great background with kids and an insight to the dynamics of student/athlete commitments and challenges. He has been the assistant ski coach for the Bemidji High School Lumberjacks for the past five seasons, and is a multisport coach throughout the year assistant coaching for the cross country running and the track program with the Bemidji school district.

Ryan is well versed in the sport of cross country skiing, has a strong team based philosophy, and works hard everyday with the athletes to help ensure each individual is getting the attention and instruction set forth.

He has become a valuable asset to the Bemidji Nordic ski program and a true right hand to the staff.

Ryan is a regular participant in many local ski races and regional ski marathons, giving him valuable lessons in competition and sportsmanship that are passed along to our athletes.

Volunteer: Bill & Judy Grundy

Bill and Judy have been the silent/back seat of the Bemidji Nordic Ski program for the past five years. They have done truly magic of timing, registration, and bib sorting for Bemidji events for over fifteen years. They are always willing to open their house to skiers and friends for any reason. The Bemidji program would be lost without their generosity, time, “Grundy Bars”, and commitment to the sport.