COACHES
Youth Coaches:
Callie Knapp
Outreach/Community Engagement Coordinator; Youth Head Coach
Callie was first introduced to Nordic Skiing at the age of 5 and later began skiing for the Minnesota Youth Ski League. Her passion for skiing grew as she skied for Brainerd Nordic Ski team throughout middle and high school. Since graduating high school she has fallen in love with endurance training and has spent many hours as possible on the snow. Her passion for skiing is contagious and she loves to share her passion with others, both those who want to become more competitive and those who just want to learn to ski for fun. Callie also has coached for the Minnesota Youth Ski League and for the Roseville Nordic Ski team.
Liza Dawley
EU Skiwerx Coach
Liza grew up in Massachusetts, starting out alpine skiing with her dad, and picking up Nordic in high school. After graduating from St. Olaf last year, she is recovering from 18 years of racing by focusing on skiing for fun! She joined the Endurance United coaching crew in Winter 17-18, where the Bridging and Trial Kids groups kept her smiling all winter long. She’s excited to spend another year with all the amazing Endurance United athletes!
Dave Joda
EU Skiwerx Coach, Junior Team Coach
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!
Annika Hedges
EU Skiwerx coach
Rachel Schmitz
EU Skiwerx Coach
Adult Team Coaches:
Alisa Reckinger Varney
Adult Team Coach: Tuesday West PM, 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!
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
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.
Bri McIntyre
Adult Team Guest Coach
For as long as I can remember, winter has been my favorite season. My dad put me on my first pair of downhill skis at 2 years old and I was hooked. I grew up downhill skiing, figure skating, running, and playing all kinds of sports but didn't find Nordic until I was 16 and some friends talked me into joining the Mahtomedi high school team. I instantly fell in love with the awesome community that surrounds this sport and being able to explore outside in the winter. Since then, I have gone on to do several races every winter (including the Birkebeiner), coach a high school team for 9 years, and get more and more into the outdoor activities world. After college, I was looking for a ski community that I could thrive and grow in and found Endurance United. Throughout my experience with EU, everyone has been friendly, joyful, and enthusiastic about being on their skis (or roller skis, mountain bikes, or trail shoes) and that makes this a wonderful group to be a part of. As a coach, I love nothing more than introducing new people to this awesome community and sport, helping them gain confidence, and then supporting them as they develop into increasingly better skiers. I'm so excited to get to share this joy with a wonderful group of women this winter!
Britt Peterson
Adult Team Coach: Monday West PM, 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.
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.
Chris Parr
Adult Team Coach: Tuesday East PM
After my dad returned from watching the 2002 Olympics in Utah, I quickly got myself on a pair of nordic skis. The passion for skiing has stuck with me through my junior years and into college where, among others, I met Liz! My most prominent result is, of course, becoming champion of the first annual Bjorn Bakken Ski Championships of America. What I love most about nordic skiing is the community. And for this reason, I'm beyond grateful to be a part of the EU coaching staff.
Claire Rohweder
Adult Team Coach, Monday Women’s East PM, Thursday East PM
Claire began skiing as a teenager and feels more natural with skis on her feet than walking. She competed with her high school team and the midwest junior national team. As an adult she has coached with MYSL for many years and is excited to continue sharing her love for the sport with skiers at EU!
John Oman
Adult Team Coach, Tuesday East PM
Jon Miller
Adult Team Coach: Tuesday West PM
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.
Kari Meyer
Adult Team Coach: Monday West PM
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
Belinda Manolis
Adult Team Coach, Monday East 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!
Kris Bjerkness
Adult Team Coach: Tuesday West, Wednesday AM East, Junior Team Coach
I first went XC skiing at age seven. I stuffed a couple pairs of old wool socks into my dad's size 11 boots, walked out into 5" of fresh snow dragging his brand new, 215cm Norwegian wood skis and bamboo poles and went skiing on a logging road behind our cabin in Northern Minnesota. I've been hooked ever since. My first Birkie was in 1979. We decided to ski the race Friday afternoon, piled into a station wagon to make the seven hour drive. We stayed awake with a 12 pack of Mountain Dew, Doritos and Snowballs, pulled into the parking lot at 2 AM and slept in the car. It was a tough ski that day! For another adventure a few years later I decided to join a skiing expedition, skiing 800k over 43 days in the Arctic. Since then, I've coached college age, high school and as an EU coach since 2016. As a coach, my belief is knowing methods to improve fitness is very important but refining technique brings skiers more enjoyment and improves results.
Elizabeth Hoff
Adult Team Coach:
Monday Women’s Group PM
Margie Nelson
Adult Team Coach, Tuesday East PM
Mike Brown
Adult Team Guest Coach: EU Board President
As an adult beginner, XC Skiing was walking on snow when I was young. The sport didn't appeal to me at all. But in the mid-2000s, I was asked/forced to try skate skiing at the Highland 9 hole golf course. I couldn't ski up the tee box but loved the feel of gliding down the #1 hole fairview on a freshly groomed trail. My family started skiing with me the next year. I joined the EU Board of Directors in 2009 and started coaching a few years later. I couldn't get enough of the sport. I joined the American Birkiebeiner Board of Directors in late 2018.
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.
Per Nelson
Adult Team Guest Coach
Beth Robelia
Adult Learn to Ski Coach
I have been skiing for a few decades; however, I still remember feeling like an awkward baby giraffe when I was learning. I love the sport of cross country skiing. I am committed to helping others enjoy winter as much as I do. The outdoor community is aiming to diversify outdoor spaces and so I welcome everyone to my classes regardless of experience. No judgement, just fun and learning. Let’s get out there on skis.
Kenny Johnson
Adult Learn to Rollerski, Adult Learn to Ski
I was just a little tike when I started following around my older brothers on skis. It has been an awesome family activity for us. Now I have been skiing for over 30 years through Junior racing, High School Racing, and now into Master's skiing. It is awesome to see the ski community grow. My goal for those I ski/work with is that they find joy and value in their time out on the trails.
Anatoly Rosenflanz
Intermediate Ski Coach
Kent York
Intermediate Ski Coach
Junior Team Coaches:
Tom Jorgenson
Junior Team Coach, JNQ Coach and Wax Tech, Intermediate Ski coach
Tom has been coaching for Endurance United juniors since 2012, also occasionally working with adult and bridging programs. He has coached college skiers at St. Olaf and elite skiers on the World Cup, but EU juniors will always be his favorite. He’s the weird dude who actually enjoys being elbow-deep in klister, but he really just loves being a part of EU’s close community of outdoor people. Tom is also a librarian who works with teenagers and technology for Dakota County Library.
Liz Peterson
Junior Team Head Coach, EU Program Director
A MN Native, hometown of Forest Lake, MN. Liz was a top state competitor and Midwest Junior National Team competitor, earning All American Honors when she was a junior. She skied 4 years on the traveling team for the College of St. Scholastica. Liz was the assistant coach for St. Lawrence University for 2 years before taking over as the EU Junior team head coach. Liz is the Head Glide Tech for the Midwest Junior National Team, three years running.
Mountain Bike coaches
Julie Rieth
Youth Coach, 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.
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.