COACHES
Youth Coaches:
Celeste Kiewel
Youth Head Coach
celeste.kiewel@enduranceunited.org
Helena Maki
EU Skiwerx Coach
Miles Smith
EU Skiwerx Coach
Stephanie Jones
EU Skiwerx Coach
Tyler Bargman
EU Skiwerx Coach
Annika Hedges
EU Skiwerx coach
Rachel Schmitz
EU Skiwerx Coach
Henry Fischer
EU Skiwerx Coach
Eli Knapp
EU Skiwerx Coach
Adult Team Coaches:
Alisa Reckinger Varney
Adult Team Coach:
Tuesday West PM - Wirth Park
Women’s Mountain Biking
Nordic skiing has always been a family affair for me, and Endurance United training groups have been a part of that for a long time. In high school, I followed my brothers’ footsteps and started cross country skiing on the Woodbury High School Nordic Skiing team and spent summers training with Sisu, the predecessor to Endurance United. I took a hiatus from skiing to attend college at the University of Missouri, where I continued my passion for endurance sports by picking up rowing. After I moved back from college, I joined an adult Endurance United training group and started skiing the Birkie and other marathon ski races every year along with my dad, brothers, and now nieces and nephews. My husband even proposed to me on Main Street at the end of the Birkie! As a coach, I aim to continue the hard-working, supportive, and inclusive environment of Endurance United training groups that kept me coming back as a participant for so many years. In addition to skiing, I love all types of biking, especially gravel and mountain biking, and am so excited to share that passion with an awesome group of women!
Britt Peterson
Adult Team Coach:
Monday West PM - Elm Creek
Learn to Rollerski
Britt loves coaching as another way to share her love of the sport with those who are on their way to becoming skiers and those who have been for decades. She started skiing with her parents and continued with the local youth ski club, Elk River High School, Minnesota Biathlon, the College of St. Benedict’s, and the ETH ski club in Zurich, Switzerland. She has two long term goals-becoming a Birchlegger and seeing more skiers flying down the trails with big smiles on their faces.
Jon Miller
Adult Team Coach:
Tuesday West PM - Wirth Park
I skied at Gustavus Adolphus College and have been coaching with EU since 2011. The best part of coaching for EU is that my group has become like family. I always look forward to having new faces and long time stalwarts. My main goal for each workout session is that it can be done by anyone from a recreational intermediate to an elite wave Birkie skier without losing the feeling of being part of one group.
Belinda Manolis
Adult Team Coach:
Monday Women’s Group PM,
Learn to Ski Coach
I have been skiing since I was four years old. I have raced in high school, college and completed four Birkiebeiner ski races. Skiing has been an activity my whole family enjoys and there’s nothing more fun for me than to spend a day in the north woods on snow. I’m excited to join the EU coaching team this winter. The EU programs have helped my two kids develop into accomplished ski racers. In addition, I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the EU Women’s skiing and mountain biking groups. Think snow and I look forward to seeing you on the trails!
Margie Nelson
Adult Team Coach,
Tuesday East PM
Interim Junior Head Coach
Elizabeth Hoff
Adult Team Coach:
Monday Women’s Group PM
Patty Pitera
Adult Yoga Coach
Cassandra Brady
Adult Team Coach:
Tuesday East PM,
Women’s Mtn Bike.
I started cross country skiing as a freshman in high school and it quickly became my favorite sport. I continued skiing in college and had the opportunity to be an assistant coach for my high school team for a couple seasons after I got out of college. I lived overseas for a number of years and really missed skiing. I am very happy to be back living in a place with snow! Nowadays, I will compete in races here and there, but I mostly just enjoy getting out on the snow in the fresh air. I enjoy sharing my love for the sport with others through coaching and look forward to doing so with the EU community.
Anna Ingebretson
Adult Team Coach:
Wednesday East PM
Trail Running Group leader.
I am an avid outdoors enthusiast and take full advantage of the many parks and trails in Minnesota through trail running, mountain biking, and skiing. I love that Nordic skiing allows me to stay active outdoors throughout the winter months on familiar trails and provides me with fitness goals to work towards. I was introduced to Nordic skiing in 2017 by a friend who had lived in Norway and quickly became devoted to learning and improving my technique. I've skied with EU for several years now, completed 2 Korteloppets, and made many friends in the ski community that enrich my life and keep me busy skiing/rollerskiing year-round! I recently started coaching as a way to share my love of the sport with others and am invested in seeing others enjoy and become skilled at skiing.
Bruce Fiedler
Adult Team Coach:
Thursday East PM,
Fall Dryland Session at Battle Creek
I have been cross country skiing for over 35 years and have 16 plus years of Masters Cross Country Skiing coaching experience, coaching along side some very reputable people within the skiing community. As a teacher of technique, I also incorporate some intensity and strength into every training session. I listen to the athletes and will adjust the training session as needed. Most importantly is I love Cross Country Skiing, and love to share my love with other skiers.
Kari Meyer
Adult Team Coach:
Monday West PM - Elm Creek
I have been skiing since I was 5 years old. I thought that trudging through 10-15km citizen races, starting at 9 years old, was normal. Later on, I realized that I was lucky to grow up in a family who spent the winters skiing in northwestern Minnesota. My brothers (who are currently all ski coaches) have been giving me technique advice since I was small & still do every time we ski to this day. Through the years, I have continued to ski & have coached here and there, both youth, high school & adults. When my girls were younger, I coached MYSL for many years. When they were older, I waxed everyone’s skis and cheered them on at high school ski meets and JNQs. Six years ago, I joined the Endurance United west-side training group to tag along with my brothers. I’ve continued to ski a few Birkies (12), some faster, now mostly slower, Vasa Loppets, City of Lakes Loppets & others. I still enjoy the challenge, the camaraderie and joy of the winter ski trail. Good technique is the key to enjoyment whether one is a beginner or advanced skier. As a coach, I enjoy sharing my passion for skiing & the outdoors with others
Mike Smith
Adult Team Coach,
Wednesday East PM
I grew up skiing cause my parents said it would be a cheaper option than hockey and alpine skiing.... not sure if that fully worked out. I started out in the MYSL before skiing for Mounds View high school where I later coached while finishing my undergraduate in Athletic training and Masters in exercise physiology. In that time, I was also a coach and wax tech for St Olaf and St Scholastica. I got to see everything from kids that have never skied to working with now Olympic athletes. Once I had finished with my masters, I more or less started to work in pro cycling. That took me away from the skiing world for a few years to follow that dream all over the world. Now that I am no longer full time in cycling I’m working in orthopedics giving me the chance to coach skiing. I also work part time in a ski shop getting my tech fix working on skis. Still actively race mountain bikes and ski in the winter. Long story short, skiing has given me tons of great adventures that I look to share with skiers new and old.
Matthew Paal
Adult Team Coach:
Tuesday West PM - Wirth Park
Jim Bruder
Adult Team Coach:
Trail Running Group
Corey Bergad
Adult Team Coach:
Tuesday West AM - Hyland
Adult Learn to Ski coaches
Andrew Magill-Grimm
Adult Learn to Ski Coach
Michelle Grabowski
Adult Learn to Ski Coach
Faith Krogstad
Adult Learn to Ski Coach
Celia Robertson
Adult Learn to Ski Coach
Meghan Lunos
Adult Learn to Ski Coach
Terri Shefelbine
Adult Learn to Ski Coach
Molly McAvoy
Adult Learn to Ski Coach
Beth Robelia
Adult Learn to Ski Coach
Adult Intermediate Ski coaches
Kent York
Intermediate Ski Coach
Anatoly Rosenflanz
Intermediate Ski Coach
Andrew Magill-Grimm
Adult Intermediate Coach
Karl DeWahl
Adult Intermediate Coach
Christian Franken
Adult Intermediate Coach
Junior coaches
Dave Joda
Junior Team Coach
JNQ Race Support
Dave spent his infancy in a pulk behind his parents on the ski trails. Skiing was a mandatory family tradition that quickly grew into a passion for him. He rose through the ranks of Barnebirkie, Wisconsin High School Ski League, Junior Nationals, Michigan Tech Ski Team, and now the high-stakes Midwest marathon circuit. He has coached MYSL Skiwerx since 2016 and is excited to continue sharing his love for the sport with skiers at EU!
Charlie Brown
Junior Team Coach
Mountain Bike coaches
Christine England
Adult Mountain Bike Coach
Christine is a BICP (Bike Instructor Certified Program) and MCA (Minnesota Cyclying Association) certified instructor and has a true passion for mountain biking and coaching others to improve their skills.
Terri Shefelbine
Adult Women’s Mountain Bike
Julie Rieth
Adult Women's Mountain Bike
EU Board Member
Julie was first introduced to Nordic skiing in high school while participating on the Roseville Ski Team. Her passion for outdoor activities has grown through participating in EU adult classes as well as coaching EU Trail Kids mountain biking, trail running and orienteering, and skiing, and Women’s Mountain Biking. She has also returned to her alma mater to assist with coaching the ski team. Julie has her level 100 Nordic Ski Certification, Bicycle Instructor Certified Program Level 1 Certification, and serves on the Endurance United Board. Julie loves seeing people of all ages and abilities being active and enjoying the outdoor trails.
Bri McIntyre
Adult Women's Mountain Bike
PADDLE COACHES
Katie Schaaf
Adult Intermediate Canoe Racing Coach
Adult Advanced Canoe Racing Coach
EU Board Member
Mickey Scott
Adult Intermediate Canoe Racing Coach
Adult Advanced Canoe Racing Coach
EU Board Member
Ellie Mae Knutsen
Junior Paddle Coach
Carlos O’Gormam
Guest Paddle Coach
Patti Bohaty
Adult Surfski/Race Kayak Coach
Kira Stolen
Advanced Canoe Racing Coach
Devin Arenz
Advanced Canoe Racing Coach
Andy Gilbertson
Advanced Canoe Racing Coach
Jared Clausen
Advanced Canoe Racing Coach
Maggie Holt
Junior Paddle Coach
Jeff DeBois
Advanced Canoe Racing Coach
Craig Stolen
Advanced Canoe Racing Coach
Maria Schilling
Advanced Canoe Racing Coach
Jessica Kozarek
Advanced Canoe Racing Coach
Guest Nordic COACHES:
Liz Schmit
Callie Knapp
Tom Jorgenson
Liza Dawley
Mike Brown
Chris Parr
Kenny Johnson
Kris Bjerkness
Claire Rohweder
John Oman
Adult Team Guest Coach
Per Nelson