Minnetonka Track and Field & Cross Country

Email: rebecca.wesley@minnetonkaschools.org

Rebecca Wesley grew up in Oakdale, MN.  She ran for Tartan Senior High School under the guidance of Jim Boyle, Tracy Brown, Tyrone Evans, Matt Duffee, Erik Tvedten and Steve Hoemann.

Coach Rebecca went on to compete at the Division III and Division I levels.  She ran for coaches James Timp, Andrew Rock, and Sarah Hopkins.  She earned a B.S. in Biokinetics, a B.A. in Philosophy, and an M.Ed. in Applied Kinesiology.  In 2016, after she completed her eligibility and while she was finishing her master’s degree, Rebecca served as an assistant cross country coach at Augsburg College (now University) under Meghan Peyton and Emily Hackert.  She then went on to Luther College and coached under Jeff Wettach, Yarrow Pasche, and Steve Pasche.  She spent her most recent collegiate coaching years at St. Cloud State, where she led the distance team for four years.

Rebecca is now pursuing an M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary’s University.  In addition to athletic coaching, she hopes to help people with their mental health.

“If I didn’t believe that coaches could have a profound impact on the lives of their athletes, then I wouldn’t have gone into coaching.”

Rebecca is grateful to the coaches and mentors who guided her during her high school and college career.  She echoes the sentiment by Sir Issac Newton, “If I have seen a little further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Rebecca has held several certifications including the USTFCCCA Technical Certification, the USTFCCCA Strength and Conditioning Coach Certification, the USTFCCCA Program Management Certification, the USATF Level 1 Track & Field Coach Certification, and a certification from the National Council for Behavioral Health in Adult Mental Health First Aid.

Coach Rebecca coaches to promote self-confidence, integrity, and accountability in young individuals so that they can overcome life’s challenges with strength and poise.  She values health, growth, balance, and support for all members of the team.

2023 marks Coach Rebecca’s first year with the Skippers.  She is grateful to have the opportunity to lead the girls cross country program at Minnetonka.

Cell:  (612) 396-1256

Email: 1dandylife@gmail.com

Most importantly, I am a Minnetonka High School Track and Field Alum! Under Coach Bob Rogness, Coach Jane Reimer, and Coach Krista Larson, I sprinted and long jumped my way to the State Meet 5 years, placing in the State Meet each year. 

Fast forward 25 years and in the Fall of 2017, I left my Project Management job at an engineering company to pursue my passion of working with kids and adults with disabilities. I now teach adapted fitness classes through my own business, FlexAbility Inclusive Fitness & Play.  I am the West Metro Miracle Athletics League President, and Executive Director of iCANhoop Basketball. I also am a personal trainer at Chaska Community Center.

While I will always be a sprinter at heart, I have completed 3 triathlons, and have grown to love the discipline of distance running, and understand the dedication it takes to improve those skills. I believe that my education in sports psychology and nutrition, will help our runners become the healthy, well-rounded athletes they aspire to be!

Track Achievements:

·         5 year Minnetonka High School letter winner

·         Earned State Championships in the 100m dash, 4x200m relay, and as a team

·         20 year school record holder in the 100m Dash

·         22 year school record holder in the 4x200m Relay

·         University of Minnesota T&F Letter Winner

·         Competed in Big 10 Indoor and Outdoor Track Meets

Cell:  (612) 790-0269

Email: heidicleighton@gmail.com

Stacie.Olson@minnetonkaschools.org

I grew up in Hutchinson, Minnesota where I played both basketball and softball and continued playing in college at Minnesota State University-Mankato. I then went on to get my master's in education Learning Design and Technology before taking a job teaching and coaching in Minnetonka.  

I am entering my 14th year teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grade Physical Education at Minnetonka Middle School East. This is my 4th year as Head Girls Cross Country Coach at MME and 8th year overall with the program.  I am the Head Girls JV Softball Coach at MHS and spent 12 years as the Assistant Varsity Coach for the Girls Basketball program.  Last year, I started coaching Varsity Basketball at Maple Grove.  Sports have been a huge part of my life and staying active is a passion of mine. I look forward to continuing working with young athletes as I believe there is much value in teaching life lessons through sport. 

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, working out and attending sporting events.  I'm currently living in Maple Grove.  

Beth.Keskey@minnetonkaschools.org

My name is Beth Keskey and I teach Science at Minnetonka Middle School West (MMW), where I also will be serving as the Junior High Head Cross Country Coach. I am a 2013 graduate of Minnesota State University (MSU), Mankato where I participated on the collegiate swimming & diving team as a springboard diver. In addition, I competed for the MSU Mavericks Triathlon Team and MSU Rock Climbing Club. My athletic endeavors started at a young age where my interests included swimming, diving, gymnastics, ski club, and track & field. It was then that I learned what athletic success could look like on the state level as a multi-year state qualifier in swimming & diving. I have always enjoyed the physical aspects of sports and what it means to be a leader. This led to my time serving as a captain for both swimming & diving and track & field. My post-college endeavors encompass cycling, snowboarding, yoga, mountaineering, hiking, triathlon, and most importantly, running! I am excited to add cross country to the list of sports I love. I am excited to work with your athlete in developing aspects of what it means to be part of a team. 

Collegiate Achievements: 2008- 2012
Springboard Diving National Qualifier
Triathlon National Qualifier

Coaching Philosophy:
My coaching philosophy revolves around developing comradery and community as the basis of a program's success. Each athlete brings their individual strengths, personality, and attitude to practice for the betterment of the team. High performing athletes choose empowering emotions, understand what is in their control, know their goals, and trust in the small intentional processes of repetition and practice. One quote to summarize my philosophy is stated by author James Clear in the book Atomic Habits, “You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.” 

Coaching Experience: 2012 - Present

Buffalo Hanover Montrose High School
Swimming & Diving Boys Assistant Coach (Springboard Diving)

Dassel-Cokato Public School
Swimming & Diving Junior High Head Coach
Swimming & Diving Girls Assistant Coach (Springboard Diving)
Swimming & Diving Boys Assistant Coach (Springboard Diving)
Track & Field Junior High Head Coach
Track & Field Boys Assistant Coach (Pole Vault & High Jump)
Track & Field Girls Assistant Coach (Pole Vault & High Jump)

Mankato West Senior High School
Swimming & Diving Girls Assistant Coach (Springboard Diving)

Minnetonka Middle School West
Cross Country Girls Junior High Head Coach

Cell:  (612) 889-2456

E-mail:  jerm824@gmail.com

I was born in Chamberlain, SD, and spent the first 10 years of my life in various small towns in SD.  Both of my parents, John and Beverly Reimer, were teachers.  Together they had 3 daughters, Karla, Trish and myself.  Our mom stayed home to raise the family, and Dad was teacher, principal, superintendent and coach of almost everything!!

We moved to Ellsworth, MN when I was 10, and then to Pillager, MN when I was a sophomore in high school.  Dad was principal there, as well as coaching football, basketball, track and field, and wrestling. Needless to say, his love and passion for sports was passed on to his 3 girls, as we all went into teaching and coaching!!  It was the era of Title 9, so I had the opportunity to compete in basketball, volleyball, and track and field.  In my freshman year, we played 6 person basketball, with 2 rovers, 2 offensive and 2 defensive players.  I was quick and a pretty good shooter, so I got to play rover.  (A good thing, as I am not sure I could have stopped at the center line as the offensive and defensive players had to do!!)  By my sophomore year, they had changed the rules to 5 person basketball, utilizing the entire court.  At that time, basketball was played in the Fall because of gym space.  We played volleyball in the winter, when gyms were available.  In track and field, girls could not run farther than 880 yards and had the softball throw instead of the shot put. 

I received All-Conference honors in basketball, volleyball and track and field.  I hold the 100 yard dash record (set in 1973, retired since it is yardage!)  I was a State Competitor in the long jump in 1973, when it was a one class system.  I also hold the 3 year scoring record for basketball.  I was blessed to have parents who believed in girls’ athletics early on, and to be able to compete with both of my sisters on all of these teams!!

I graduated from Bemidji State University in 1977 and competed on the basketball team, as well as being captain of the track and field team.

I am married to Chuck Morgan, and we have a blended family of 5 adult children:  My son Nate, daughter Taylor (Nolan), stepdaughter Conny (Jared), stepsons Pat and Ryan.   2 grandchildren:  Cassidy and Jack.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:  Brainerd, MN, Staples, MN, Parkers Prairie, MN, Woods Academy in Maple Plain, MN, Minnetonka, MN

COACHING EXPERIENCE:   Brainerd 1977, Staples 1977-79, Parkers Prairie 1979-1982, Breck 1984, Minnetonka 1985-present.

PROFESSIONAL HONORS:

Section 6AA Cross Country Coach of the Year 2002, 2004, 2010, 2013

State Championship Cross Country Teams:  1991, 2004

District 22 Boys’ Track and Field Coach of the Year 1982

Section 6AA Track and Field Coach of the Year 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015

State Championship Track and Field Teams: 1985, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2013, 2014

MN State Track and Field Coach of the Year 2005, 2014

Minnetonka Coach of the Year 2003, 2005, 2013

Member of MN State Cross Country Advisory Board 2009-present

Inaugural USTFCCCA MN Coach of the Year 2014

Past Member of MN State Track and Field Advisory Board

Section 6AA Track and Field State Representative 2005-2010

Member and Past Chair of Minneapolis Athena Committee 2008-2018

Nominee for National Track and Field Coach of the Year 2014

Inducted into MN State Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame 2008

Inducted into Pillager High School Hall of Fame 2010

Inducted into Bemidji State University Athletic Hall of Fame 2011

Inducted into MN State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame 2015

Inducted into the Minnesota Track and Field Hall of Fame 2017

Breaking Barriers Award 2018

MN Track and Field President’s Award 2019

Cell:  (612) 987-7586

E-mail:  pklarson5@yahoo.com

About Me: 
I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois where from the age of 13, I actively participated in Track and Field, Cross-country, and Gymnastics. I was blessed to have a supportive family, and a father that was my High School track coach.  Currently I live in Mound with my husband of 21 years Peter and our 3 boys Bjorn , Anders, and Nels . (Yes we are Swedish!).  Besides coaching, I teach a 3 yr old class and pre-K class at Excelsior Covenant Preschool. The highlight of my summer for the past 10 years has been to lead a children’s program on an annual mission trip to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Coaching Experience:

• I have been coaching track and Field at Minnetonka H.S since 1992.
• I have been coaching coaching Cross-Country at Minnetonka H.S. since 1998
• 2007 Section 6AA assistant coach of the year in both track and CC
• Coached 5 past/current school record holders: 100MH, 300MH, & TJ
• Coached multiple state participants in the Hurdles and Triple Jump

Personal Athletic Achievements:

• 4X state participant in the Illinois AA State Track Meet (Hurdles & relays)
• Placed 2nd in 200MH   (28.6)   *School retired record
• Placed 5th in 100MH    (14.3)
• Multiple all-conference and all Section awards over 4 years
• In the summer I participated in High School State & National Track Meets
• Qualified 1 week summer camp @ the Olympic Training Center in Colorado.
• 2 time state participant in the Illinois AA State Cross-Country meet
• Member of the 3rd place state team
• High School Senior athlete of the year

1986 awarded an athletic scholarship at University of Minnesota

• Letter winner/ competed on their travel team for 3 years.
• Traveled to Sweden where for 2 weeks I competed in track meets

1989 Transferred to North Park University in Chicago

• Member of the Cross-Country team, (Schools top 20 5k of all time)
• All-Conference: 100MH, 400MH, Triple Jump, 4x400 M Relay
• Qualified Indoor Nationals 55 M Hurdles and the 800M (2:17.34)
  • All-American:  55 MH   4th Pl.   (8.43)
• Qualified Outdoor Nationals in the 100M Hurdles & 400M Hurdles
  • All-American: 400 MH   3rd pl. (62.04)   (false start DQ 100MH)
• North Park School records in: 100MH, 400 M, 55MH indoor (current), 800 M indoor (current), 400 MH (current)
• 1991 North Park Senior Athlete of the Year
• 2010 inducted into the North Park University Athletic Hall of Fame

Cell:  320-309-2730

Email:  Kristine.1.r.jensen@gmail.com

(612) 719-7332

amy.mayer@minnetonkaschools.org

I grew up in southwest Minneapolis and moved out to Minnetonka when I was entering the 10th grade. I have been active in sports my entire life and thanks to Title IX, I was able to participate in high school sports.  I was on the first Girls Soccer Team, the first Nordic Ski team and the first Girls Fast Pitch Softball team at Minnetonka.  I also played on the University of Minnesota’s Club Soccer team before the U had a Varsity Soccer program.

My love of sports has followed me throughout my life.  I have been a coach since 1982 and have coached track, soccer, softball, adapted floor hockey and adapted softball.  But the most rewarding coaching position I have held has been as an Assistant Girls' Cross Country Coach.  I have been an active part of the Minnetonka Team since 2002.  Coaching Cross Country is a highlight of my year, I feel so blessed to be a part of this team.  The girls are so kind and work so hard,  I love watching the girls push themselves to become stronger athletes.

By the way, I am the one on the bike.

Cell:   (612) 750-8010

Email: leeannleblanc@comcast.net

As long as I can remember, I have loved running…Fast, slow, short distances, long distances. I am excited to be coaching, allowing me to combine my love of running with my passion for young people. I thoroughly enjoy being around their energy, enthusiasm, and zest for life.

I was inspired by my Dad who was an amazing runner in his high school days in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Wanting to follow in his footsteps, I ran for Eden Prairie in both middle school and high school, enjoying many successes along the way. After high school, I decided to run road races as my life allowed, spanning all of the distances…marathons, half marathons, 10-milers, 10Ks, and 5Ks. Running in races is something that I continue to enjoy.

I have my Master’s Degree in Education and am licensed in secondary Life Science, and I work at Minnetonka High School supporting the Math and Science Departments. I have two awesome daughters, Kate and Kira, and am married to my middle school sweetheart, Eric.  

COACHING EXPERIEINCE:

·         Minnetonka HS – Assistant Cross Country Coach – 2018 to 2023

·         Minnetonka HS – Assistant Track Coach – 2019 to present