Marshall Nordic Ski Team Athletes

Voting for the Coach, Assistant Coach and Volunteer of the Year will be conducted at the MSHSL State Meet Coaches Association Meeting at 4:30 pm in the Gold Room at the Giants Ridge Ski Lodge.  Only members of the MSHSNSCA will be eligible to vote.

Section 1

No Nominations Received

Section 2 Nominations

Section 2 Volunteer of the Year

Volunteer of the Year Nicole Lepinski section 2

Nicole was a volunteer for the Maple Grove Nordic Ski Team this year.  Nicole began skiing as a junior at Maple Grove and competed at Michigan Tech until her graduation last year.  We got a call from her before the season started this year to see if we might need some help coaching.

From day one, Nicole was there.  She helped with everything from leading workouts, teaching technique, taking times, waxing skis, last minute shopping trips for wax and keeping the athletes happy and excited for the season.  Nicole works full time nights in the medical field, but always found a way to get to practice or gave us lots of notice on the rare occasion that she was unable to show up.  Nicole made adjustments to her personal life to add value to the Maple Grove team and ultimately the lives of the athletes she worked with.

Nicole has a great personality and work ethic.  She knows how to have fun while staying focused on the task of leading skiers to their potential.  The athletes enjoyed her involvement with the team and accepted her right from the start as an integral part of our staff.  Many skiers on the team attribute the improvements they’ve made this year to having Nicole working with them.

Nicole has the makings of a great Head Coach and we were very lucky to have her part of our season.

Section 2 Volunteer of the Year

HI Phil,

I didn’t feel I should suggest nominations being a 1st year team, but as you keep sending notices I keep thinking about it and have a nomination for volunteer of the year. Being a self funded team I rely on many volunteers, but Tracy Inglis, a mom of 2 team members stands out.  She created the team web site and updates it regularly with results and photos (check it out!), she writes articles for the local paper on the team, she chaperoned our trip to Maplelag and she coordinated our huge Omelet Breakfast/ silent auction fundraising event.  There are many other little things she has done, but this is a quick overview of the big stuff.  This has been a wonderfully successful 1st year for our Mound Westonka team and much of the credit goes to Tracy Inglis.

Sue Harrison

Mound Westonka

Section 3 Nominations

No nominations received

Section 4 Nominations

Nomination for Nordic Ski Coach of the Year – Jamie Misner (Roseville Area High School)

Jamie Misner has coached seven years at Roseville Area High School and the past three years she has been the head coach.  Jamie followed in the footsteps of John Strand and has not missed a beat; Roseville’s highly successful program has continued to prosper.  Jamie was a very competitive Nordic skier at UNH (University of New Hampshire), skiing as a NCAA qualifier four times.  She brings a wealth of skiing knowledge and experience to the Roseville Nordic Ski Team.  Her background in training, technique, and waxing has gained her the respect of all skiers.  In addition, Jamie’s enthusiasm, energy, and terrific personality help her to pull the team together as a unified and supportive group

of athletes.  Roseville has over eighty skiers on the team. Every skier is important. Every skier is treated equally. All skiers continue to have positive experiences whether it is a practice or meet.  Jamie often volunteers to host and run ski meets.  They are always well organized and beneficial to the skiers involved.  The Roseville Ski Team   and the entire Nordic ski community have prospered by Jamie’s contributions.  Although this is only Jamie’s third year as head coach, she is truly an outstanding candidate for the Nordic Ski Coach of the Year.

Nominated by Fred Kueffer (Roseville Assistant Coach)

Section 4 Assistant Coach

Richard Clark gets my nomination for Assistant Coach of the Year. This season finds Richard wrapping up his 5th year at Mahtomedi High School.

He comes to us with over 30 years of ski racing experience and is always willing to share that experience along with his love of our sport with each and every skier.  His energy and enthusiasm are both seemingly endless.  Above all, Richard puts the needs of our skiers first whether he is working with one of our new skiers or a seasoned veteran.

If there is ever anything that needs to be done, Richard is either already working on it or first in line to lend a hand.  There is no question that we are a better team having Richard part of our coaching staff.

Submitted by Greg Weir (Mahtomedi)

Section 4 Volunteer of the Year (tied)

John Miller has been an active volunteer for the Stillwater Team for the last 8 years.  John attends most practices on a weekly basis, leading a group of skiers in a workout.  John’s own skills as a skier and athlete are versatile and he can step in where needed, to lead a group of beginners or a group of our more experienced skiers, on skis, on wheels or on foot.  In addition to time on the trails, John helps out waxing, instructing new skiers on proper ski care and waxing technique or just lending a hand to get the job done.  He is an active wax tech on-site, too, applying klister, hard wax, and corking energy for a large group of (frequently frantic) skiers anxious to get to the start line.  John secured his bus driver’s license from the school district in order to give our team – and our budget – greater options for travel.  John is always smiling and always encouraging – a great resource that we’ve come to depend on.  We would like to recognize John for his dedication to our team, his positive attitude in working with kids, and his tireless efforts to help facilitate training and racing so that everyone can be at their best.

Submitted by Bill Simpson, Stillwater

I would like to nominate Joe Manns of Roseville for Volunteer of the Year.

The 2009-2010 season is Joe’s fourth year as a volunteer coach.  It seems with each season Joe becomes more committed to the team and more adapt with his coaching.  Throughout the season Joe has made sure to be at every race and most practices.  During practice Joe will frequently pull a skier aside and work with them one on one with technique.  One day it will be with one of our varsity skiers, then the next with a first year skier.  He makes sure everyone on the team gets the same one on one attention.  Being a competitive ski and marathon canoe racer himself he brings vast amounts of wisdom about race strategy and prep, as well as helping the team get wax dialed in for the day.  We really appreciate all that he has contributed to our program over the last four years.

Submitted by Jamie Misner, Roseville

Section 5 Nominations

Todd Schempf Section Five Assistant Coach of the Year

Todd brings to any program a wealth of ski knowledge and excitement for our Sport that he shares with the athletes of the Anoka Nordic Ski Team. His competitive ski career started with wooden racing skis and he has shared many stories of his numerous trips to the Mora-Vasaloppet and Birkie over the years. His daughter is a graduate and former Captain of Anoka Nordic and now he is skiing with his granddaughter, the next generation of Schempf skiers.

As an Assistant Coach, he is truly a utility member of the Team. No job is too large or to small for Todd to take on. He always has a smile but is not afraid to “bark” when he needs to. The respect our athletes show Todd is amazing; maybe it’s because of his years of wisdom or his interaction with kids. He has a quality about him that Athletic Directors and coaches look for when hiring a coaching staff.

Todd provides that prefect balance a head coach needs for the smooth operation of an active Nordic racing program.

Respectfully Submitted

Pete Tremaine

Head Coach Anoka Nordic Ski Team

President-Elect Anoka Nordic Ski Team

Mike Hecker

Assistant Coach Anoka Nordic Ski Team
President Minnesota Nordic Ski Coaches Association

Ron Rogers Section Five Volunteer of the Year

The typical volunteer is a parent who helps plan parties, makes sure the athletes are looked after during the race, takes pictures, and helps with the banquet. Ron is not your typical volunteer. He leaves work to join the team at almost every practice (then on occasion he returns to work). He takes vacation days to attend away meets, and is always on the cell phone letting his wife know “he will be home soon”; when he knows the bus is stuck in traffic. He does all this and isn’t a parent to any of the athletes on the team!

Ron has thirty plus years of ski experience and is another member of those of us who started life on “real skis”, those made of wood with 3 pin bindings. Both his sons competed as high school athletes a few years ago and Ron still skis like any good “weekend warrior”.

Ron has created a “bond” with the team. The kids seek him out and expect to see him and his camera on the trailside. He is always willing to offer advice and guidance and over the years has been a great sounding board for the coaching staff.

Respectfully Submitted:

Mike Hecker
President Minnesota Nordic Ski Coaches Association

Section 6 Nominations

To John Dyste and coaches in Section 6,

I would like to take this opportunity to nominate Doug Boonstra from Eden Prairie High School, as Section 6 Coach of the Year.  I’d like to share some of the reasons why I think Doug is qualified to earn this honor.

Doug has been the head Nordic coach here at Eden Prairie High School for the past 16 seasons.  Throughout this time, he has steadily built a team which usually has around 80 to 90 participants yearly.  Doug has established a culture of enjoyment for a sport which can go beyond any age restriction or skill level.  Each year, numerous junior varsity skiers continue to fulfill their 4 years of skiing, fully knowing they won’t be on any varsity team or wear a bib for a big race.  They continue to come out because of the positive culture Doug has established for the program.

Doug has worked tirelessly with the city of Eden Prairie to build a trail system worthy of hosting junior Olympic sprints, numerous alumni pursuit races, a home course to train on and a course which benefits many Nordic skiers in Eden Prairie.  He has worked relentlessly to fund raise for a snowmobile and grooming equipment second to none.  He has established life long connections with parents of skiers who want to contribute to the success of the program in some way, shape or form.

Doug has built a wax room at EPHS which many of our college skiers envy.  Many hours of work were put into this room which serves as a place for the skiers to congregate, provides 8 stations to wax skis at and is a place where our skiers call home.   This is evident by the number of kids who hang out, do their homework and wax skis during the day.

Doug has developed a summer training program for his skiers to develop core muscle groups and general strength.  The numbers each summer continue to increase as more and more kids enjoy getting involved in the off season training program.

Although no team state championships adorn the trophy case for Nordic skiing under Doug, the sheer number of skiers each year coming out for the program show that he’s established a culture of enjoyment for a lifelong sport.

Although I’m filled with admiration for anyone who takes on the responsibility of head Nordic ski coach at any school, I feel it’s time to acknowledge Doug and his efforts at Eden Prairie High School over the past 16 years and the success of his skiers both on and off the snow.  It’s my privilege to nominate Doug for section 6 Coach of the Year.

Sincerely,

Chris Stensgaard
EP Nordic Assistant Coach

Volunteer of the Year Section 6

Hello John,

I have an outstanding volunteer to nominate for section 6 volunteer of the year.

David Makis has been instrumental in getting our new ski team up and running by volunteering numerous hours, equipment, and his own money to make it possible for our team to practice at our High School. He not only lets us use his snowmobile to groom, but also helps out with grooming. David has put in many late nights fixing the sled, building a groomer, and a track setter! They work wonderfully and would have been cost prohibitive for our new team to purchase. David does not even have a family member on the team anymore and yet continues to help. Just this year he has come to the rescue late at night out on our course to help me get the 800lb snowmobile running again, where they stop is where they stay! I was recently talking to another team from our section and they were interested in our low cost groomer.  I told David and he was more than happy to share his expertise with another school. To be able to ski right out our back door of the High School is a luxury and having a volunteer like David Makis is priceless!

Coach Mark Thone
Holy Family Nordic

Track setter made by David Makis (AKA The Makis Machine)

Section 7 Nominations

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 1st at the Section 7 ski meet.

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.

Section 7 Assistant Coach of the Year Glen Sorenson

Glen Sorenson began coaching Nordic Skiing in 1979 as a head coach.  He started the Proctor girl’s team in 1979, Duluth Marshall boys’ and girls’ teams in 1982, and the Proctor boy’s team in 1989.  Glen’s teams have won three girl’s section 7 championships, four boys’ section 7 championships, and many conference championships.  During the 1995-96 season, Glen was honored as the State Nordic Ski Coach of the Year.

For the last three years Glen has moved to assistant coach position in order to smooth the transition to a new head coach because Glen will be retiring this year.  As the assistant, Glen has been able to focus on teaching ski technique waxing technique and building relationships with kids.  Like his students in the classroom, our skiers hang on his every word and work to give him their best because they want to impress him.  Glen Sorenson’s leadership goes well beyond whatever titles he has held, and a fine example of this has been his unselfish insistence to step aside as head coach so that he could properly mentor his successor.

Glen’s helpful nature and love of high school skiing has made him an “assistant coach” to many area high school programs and skiers during the past 30+ years and I doubt his upcoming retirement will do much to curb this interest and involvement… at least I hope not!

Section 7 Volunteer of the Year Dene Halverson

Dene Halverson has worked as a volunteer with the Marshall Nordic Ski Team since 2003.  During that time has:

1. Served as ski camp coordinator for the Holiday Ski Camp our annual ski team fund raiser, his efforts have helped the team bring in over $15,000 in the past 6 years.
2. Supervised the construction of two large bridges over a creek on campus to expand our trail system by 600 meters
3. Served as the assistant starter and timer for multiple home meets.
4. Continued to work with the team even though his son graduated 3 years ago.

Dene is an amazing guy who possesses strong technical skills and a compassionate heart.  This award was designed for a person like Dene Halverson

Section 8 Nominations

Section 8 Coach of the Year: Nicole Kellerman – Brainerd

Nicole has been the head coach for the boys and girls Nordic ski teams in Brainerd for 5 years and was an assistant for two prior.  She has sent numerous kids to state every year including a whole team at one point in time.  One coach noted that, “she’s a role model for girls on my team and others in Nordic skiing.” This year Nicole hosted 3 home meets plus assisted in the Junior High Championships for the section. She is very friendly, organized, communicates well with the other coaches, her skiers and their parents, and is always willing to help at other races.  She has made it one of her goals to encourage kid to believe that Nordic Skiing is a life time sport and love and that skiing does not end after high school or even college.  She is an avid skier and is always on her kid’s tails encouraging, teaching, and coaching.  Even after the season is over, she is involved with Nordic skiing through multiple programs.  Nicole and her staff run little kid ski camps, adult community learning programs, and summer ski camps for the athletes.  Last year’s camp motto was, ”Nordic skiing – 365 days a year.”

Section 8 Assistant Coach of the Year: Mary Claire Ryan – Brainerd

Mary Clare has been with the Brainerd Nordic Ski program for 7 years and has worn many hats over that time.  She is the lead Junior High coach and manages to teach, encourage, and coach numerous beginner skiers.  Mary Claire is very enthusiastic about the sport and the kids involved.  She does a great job making the sport fun to learn and keeps kids in the program and excited for more.  Mary Claire is also in charge of setting up the Junior High Championships for the section and brings in over one-hundred 6th-9th grade kids to race both classic and skate.  Besides running the Junior High program, Mary Claire always helps the kids wax their skis and gets them prepared for their race.

Section 8 Volunteer of the Year: Mike Humrickhouse – Brainerd

Mike is a former Head coach of the Brainerd Nordic ski teams and now volunteers his time and talents as a starter and race consultant at numerous events throughout the ski season.  Whether it is 5 below or warm and sunny you will see Mike out there with a smile on his face but no hat on his head, sharing his positive attitude.  Coaches and athletes can always depend on him to be accurate and fair.  Mike is also a great resource and mentor to the coaches still in the business.  He has a lot of great knowledge, compassion, and enthusiasm for Nordic Skiing.  The section 8 skiers and coaches all really enjoy him as he continues to give to the sport of Nordic skiing.

Voting for the Coach, Assistant Coach and Volunteer of the Year will be conducted at the MSHSL State Meet Coaches Association Meeting at 4:30 pm in the Gold Room at the Giants Ridge Ski Lodge.  Only members of the MSHSNSCA will be eligible to vote.