MSHSNSCA Award Nominees 2008-2009
Section Award Winning Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Volunteers 2008-2009
Section 1 Award Winners
Head Coach James Kyes, Park and Woodbury Nordic Ski Coach
I highly recommend James Kyes for the Section 1 Coach of the Year. James has always been a positive influence for the sport of Nordic skiing and for the athletes in his program. He has worked hard toward creating the best environment for running meets, including the use of timing technology while adding fun incentives for athletes who participate. James has always been willing to share information to other coaches in helping everyone enjoy the sport of Nordic skiing. James is an important coaching member in our community with attentiveness to making every skier reach their potential
Nominated by Dan Kust
Assistant Coach Todd Endersbe of Lakeville North.
Todd is the kind of assistant coach that every head coach is looking for— he is intuitive enough to know what needs to be done and does it in a pinch. If he ever does not know what is needed, he offers himself and immediately gets the job done—whether it is grooming, uniforms, starting races, timing skiers, etc. He keeps a good second set of eyes and ears for the head coach for planning, decision making and reflection.
Todd knows and understands the strength of the coaching staff and makes sure that everyone’s strength can shine. It has been an especially smooth year for his teams because he is reliable, dedicated and hard-working.
Nominated by Rich Heilman
Volunteer Mark Parr of ISD 196
Mark Parr is an excellent volunteer– he works hard to make sure the races are organized and he spends time taking care of the Valleywood ski course all season so that it is ready for us on Feb. 3rd for the section 1 race. he always has a great attitude and is at every meet for his team.
Nominated by Rich Heilman
Section 2 Award Winners
Head Coach Larry Myers,
I would like to nominate Larry Myers for head coach of the year award. He is the best! Larry has been coaching Wayzata High School for eleven years, and the program under his direction and motivation has growing from 40 kids to now over 100 kids (special note: within one week he knows everybody’s name). The kids really respect him; one year they nick named him “Lare Bare”, because he cares so much for them and teaches the love of skiing. Dedicated is an understatement, last year with a very bad limp (no hip), he never missed a day and continued to help in grooming when needed. Larry not only gave of his knowledge of skiing, but his equipment (skies, boots, poles, ski suits, hats jacket) anything that belongs to Larry also belongs to the team. Larry also gives his time to the ski industry with the Mpls. Ski Club, Gear West shop, City of
The kids he has coached over the years some come back and ski with us and four other kids he has hired on as assistance coaches. Just one example of his impact on the kids as they continue to share the love and then return to work with Larry.
Larry’s dedicated love to cross country skiing and the ski team make him an excellent choice for Coach of the year.
Nominated by: Brad Erickson –
Section 2 Asst. Coach of year nominee: Brad Erickson, Wayzata
I’ve always admired Brad Erickson’s approach to coaching, his respect for his athletes, other coaches, and the sport in general. He’s always an excellent example of integrity and intensity on and off the snow and yet keeps a balance of fun and humor that we often forget. This is, after all, not just THE SPORT, but also JUST a sport. He’s the type of adult we want our kids to be around when they’re learning life’s lessons of winning and loosing. I nominate Brad as Assistant Coach of the Year.
Nominated by: Bob Skow, Apollo
Section 3 Award Winners
Coach of the Year: Amy Cichanowski ,
This will be Amy’s last year at
When she is not working with the high school team she oversees the Minn. Youth Ski League as its director. Her life revolves around the sport of Nordic skiing.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Mark Westlake,
Mark Westlake is the assistant at
Volunteer of the Year: Jerry Slater, Sibley
At Sibley we are down to one coach for Nordic skiing without the help of Jerry the season would have been impossible for each skier to have had a successful experience. He was at practice 95% of the time and work with all the first year skiers.. He made all the races, making positive comments to insure their success. The group should great progress with one of 9th grade boy making Sibleys section team and two 9th grade girls making honorable mention all conference. His waxing expertise helped our team make great decisions for race days, along with than waxing on race day. which freed me up to deal head coaching situations. His insight on general ski questions ranging from waxing to race management were invaluable. Without Jerry our season would not have offer the positive experience our Sibley skiers deserve.
Section 4 Award Winners
Coach of the Year, Section 4: Becky Boyle (Tartan)
Becky is always working to improve her team and their excitement about the sport. Becky always arrives with a smile on her face and athletes who are ready to compete. Even though not from one of the powerhouse schools, Becky’s team is competitive and motivated. It has always been a pleasure to work with Becky.
Nominator: James Kyes (Woodbury)
Assistant Coach of the Year, Section 4: Ralph Hapness (
Ralph has been an assistant coach at
Nominator: Torry Kraftson (
Volunteer of the Year, Section 4: Steve Diederichs (
Steven Diederichs has been an active volunteer for the
For the past several years, Steve has also been an active volunteer coach for a local MYSL group, teaching skiers that will one day populate high school teams is Eastern Minnesota and
Nominator: Kris Hansen (
Section 5 Award Winners
Head Coach: Scott Clark,
Every year Scott produces outstanding skiers that finish in the top of the conference and section. He has sent boy and girl and skiers to the state meet for the last several years. This year particularly Scott has done an outstanding job. His boy’s team lost several top skiers, but his team has persevered, worked through the losses and developed team depth that allowed to
Nominated by: Brad Rosch-Osseo
Section 5 Assistant Coach of the Year
Assistant Coach: Denny Nelson –
I would like to nominate Denny Nelson for Assistant Coach of the Year. Denny has been coaching skiing for a number of years, including his main time as the Head Coach for
Nominated By Denny Green
Section 5 Volunteer of the Year
Volunteer: Drew Clark –
Drew has volunteered with the
Nominated by Scott Clark
Section 6 Award Winners
James Dundon,

Since arriving on the coaching scene just a few short years ago, the Mpls. SW Nordic program has taken off under the leadership and motivation provided by James Dundon. His teams have been perennial contenders in Section 6, as well as multiple section titles spread around between his boys and girls teams. His athletes are always focused, and show the same determination and commitment that their head coach does. James emphasizes cross training in the off season, with many of his skiers taking up the sport of rowing to develop both physical and mental toughness.
Nominated by Doug Boonstra –
Chris Stensgaard,
Chris Stensgaard: Chris Stensgaard has been an assistant coach at
Nominated by Doug Boonstra –
Matt Callahan, Section 6 Parent Volunteer of the Year.
For three years, Matt Callahan has tirelessly devoted himself to the skiers, parents, and coaches on the Southwest Nordic Ski Team. Although he is a volunteer, he comes to practice like every other coach, working hard to help everyone achieve to the best of their ability. Matt leads with a relaxed and positive energy that makes the coldest of practices seem tolerable. Beyond dedicating his free time to helping skiers on the trails, Matt also keeps up with the skier’s academic successes. Impressively, everyone at Southwest has grown to love this man for the unselfish lessons he has taught each of us.
Nominated by: James Dundon, Head Coach Minneapolis Southwest
Section 7 Award Winners
Sarah Byrns, Two Harbors Head Coach of the Year
As a parent of two team members and occasional assistant coach, I have developed a deep appreciation and respect for all coach Sara has done for skiing in Two Harbors during her 6 years as head coach. She has brought out the best in her athletes, from the recreational skier to the serious competitor, while greatly expanding her coaching responsibilities. With her tireless work and fun but firm approach the team has grown from 13 to 35 skiers.
She started a local youth ski program in which the high school skiers coach nearly 40 kids ages 5-12. Three of these kids are now members of the high school team and many more are on their way. She has also brought ski racing to Two Harbors, annually organizing two high school meets and a community race. All of this has greatly increased the visibility of Nordic skiing in the area.
Each year she organizes fundraisers that have allowed for the purchase of 40 pairs of team skis and poles making it easier to attract new team members. One of our top skiers on this year’s section team would not even be skiing if not for these team skis.
The past two years she has traveled to
She has gone way beyond the expected and taken a sport that might not have survived local budget cuts during snow-less winters and instead made it one of the fastest growing sports at
Nominated by Tom Peterson,
Ben Croft Assistant Coach
My association with Ben Croft as a Mesabi East/Virginia assistant coach began in 1991 and has continued to the present day. Ben is the most caring and hard working coach you could ever find. Everyday during the ski season my day begins with a 7:20 am call from Ben. It may be about an athlete with whom he is concerned. It may be about the program for that days practice. It may be about what tracks he needs to set at Giant’s Ridge for the day’s practice. It may be about the weather and waxing for a coming meet. It may be about him having to dig in our equipment bags to provide different boots, skis or poles to help an athlete until they get there own equipment.
Whatever the call is about, it shows the concern Ben has for our kids and our program. I can’t imagine coaching at Mesabi East/Virginia without Ben Croft at my side.
Nominated by: Jack Jeffery Head Coach Mesabi East/Virginia
Volunteer of the Year, Neil Igo
Every successful organization has key people who provide amazing support and energy. Neil Igo is the Marshall Nordic Ski team electrician, mechanic, troubleshooter and special equipment designer and builder. From the wax trailer to the grooming equipment and everything in between, Neil has designed it, fixed it or enhanced its ability to serve the members of Marshall Nordic. Neil has played a huge part in every expansion of the Marshall School Ski Trails. He is an expert equipment operator. Neil is present at every Marshall Sprints race to make sure that if anything goes wrong, it will be fixed. Neil continues to offer his talents to the
Nominated by:
Section 8
Coach of the Year: Terry Wasland – Little Falls
Terry has his bachelors and Masters Degrees from
Terry is an avid hunter and fisherman. HE has been the girls and boys Head Nordic Ski Coach for 8 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 to state for the third year in a row. Plus, his boys were very successful this year as well as they took second place at sections by 3 points.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Joe Dunaisky – Little Falls
Joe has been the assistant coach at Little Falls for the past four years. He has great enthusiasm for the sport of Nordic Skiing and works endlessly recruiting younger athletes to give Nordic Skiing a try. His interest in and knowledge of waxing has been invaluable in helping keep 50 Nordic skiers properly waxed and maintained skis. His ski bag is usually full as he goes home each night with skis that need a little extra TLC. He supports the guiding principles of the Little Falls program and does whatever is necessary to assist in any way. He deserves much credit for the success the program has achieved.
Volunteer of the Year: Kent Montgomery – Brainerd
Nominated by Nicole Kellerman – Section 8 Rep
