Minnetonka Track and Field & Cross Country

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.

sean.kern@minnetonkaschools.org

I grew up in Minneapolis, MN with a family that prioritized and loved being active. I played soccer, basketball, and baseball through adolescence and into high school, but fell out of love with each. At the end of my Junior year at Minneapolis Southwest, I decided to try a different approach. My English teacher at the time suggested I try rowing over the summer, opening my eyes to the world of endurance sports and changing the trajectory of my life.

I have been a competitive rower, cross country skier, and runner competing in events across the U.S. and Canada. I have extensive high school coaching experience including 7 years of nordic skiing and 5 years of rowing. I have served as the Head Coach of the boys and girls Nordic Ski teams here at MHS for the past 7 years, and I look forward to joining the coaching staff of Tonka Girls Cross Country.

I’m entering my 10th year teaching English in Minnetonka Schools. I currently teach a variety of high school courses and work as an advisor to the First Mates Senior Leadership program.

My wife Kailey and I have two daughters, Marlo (4) and Willa (1). I love getting to watch them grow in their capabilities as humans and I look forward to what they will bring to the community as future Skippers.

I enjoy coaching to help student athletes learn the benefits of dedication and hard work while watching them grow into self-confident leaders who will live vibrant, healthy lives.

cassie.klein@minnetonkaschools.org

I grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota where I ran Varsity Cross Country, Track & Field, and played Hockey. I then went on to run one season of Cross Country in college before transferring to the University of Minnesota to pursue a degree in Education and School Counseling. Since High school running has been an integral part of my life and I have continued to run in a variety of races but primarily 5K’s. I have always loved to compete and strongly believe that athletics along with being part of a team teach so many valuable lessons that stay with you throughout time.

I have been working in education for 20 years and I am currently a School Counselor at Minnetonka High School. I have previous experience in coaching high school athletics, and I am excited to get back into coaching after taking some time off to raise a family. My husband and I live in Shorewood with our 3 kids who attend Minnetonka Schools. We have 2 sons in middle school and a daughter in high school.

As a coach I believe it is important to create an environment where athletes are valued for their contributions to the team, they find connection along with camaraderie, and feel empowered to reach their individual goals. I am excited to be a supportive mentor to runners as they navigate both the ups & downs of endurance sports, grow in confidence, and prepare for life after high school.

heidicleighton@gmail.com

My husband Michael and I have 3 children: Harper is a college freshman, Anders is a senior at Minnetonka, and Vera is a 6th grader at Minnetonka Middle School West.

I was a 3-sport varsity athlete while in high school, in Plainview Minnesota. I was fortunate to qualify for several state meets in high school career, competing in cross country, dance team, and track & field. I was fortunate to compete in a wide variety of track events: hurdles, sprints, middle distance, long distance, long jump, and triple jump. 

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Stout, with B.F.A. degree in Industrial design. During my running career as a Blue Devil, I competed in cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field. I achieved running success through the support of my teammates and leadership of our amazing coach, Joe Harlan. My focus in track was the 3K, 5K, and 3K Steeplechase. I qualified for our conference championships in multiple events each season and served as captain my junior and senior years. The friends I made through college running are not only life-long friends, but they are also family.

After college, I competed in triathlons and road race distances 5K through marathon. When I used to travel internationally for work; my favorite part was able to run in so many incredible and beautiful places. At its core, distance running is uncomplicated while at the same time being very grounding no matter where you are both physically and mentally. I also enjoy other forms of exercise including weight training, Nordic skiing, swimming, and mountain biking. 

I have been lucky enough to work with all ages and abilities of runners; through a variety of running programs. It has been fun to see some of those young Tonka Road Runners progress through their running careers at Minnetonka High School and beyond.

2016 was my first year coaching with the girls cross country team at Minnetonka; that year we placed 3rd at the state meet! After a long hiatus, I am very excited to once again be coaching the MHS girls’ cross country team. 

I continue to be a student of the sport of running; I am constantly learning about new training methods, optimal nutrition sources, and anything that will keep my family healthy and moving. 

I enjoy sharing my 30+ years of running experience and knowledge with anyone willing to listen! I hope to mentor and inspire young runners to become the best possible version of themselves while progressing in the difficult yet rewarding sport of distance running. 

I grew up in Buffalo, Minnesota where I began my athletic journey as a competitive gymnast. I found running through middle school cross country and fell in love with it immediately. I continued to compete at the high school varsity level in cross country, gymnastics, and track & field through 2018 and became a seven-time MSHSL state qualifier across the three sports.

I went on to pursue degrees in dietetics and exercise physiology at Minnesota State University, Mankato. During this time, I had the opportunity to compete on the women’s cross country and track & field teams. I specialized in the 3K, 5K, and 3K steeplechase, earned five NCAA DII All-American honors, and became a three-time school record holder in the 3K, 3K-steeplechase, and DMR. I rounded out my college career as a Top 30 Honoree of the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year. I achieved this through consistency, dedication, and endless love and support from my teammates, coaches, and family.

This past May, I obtained my credential as a registered dietitian and plan to pursue a career in this field. Additionally, I served as a volunteer assistant coach with the women’s cross country and track & field teams at Minnesota State University, Mankato during the 2023-2024 academic year. This is my first season coaching girl’s high school cross country, and I am so excited to give back to the sport that started it all.  

I look forward to mentoring the next generation of female athletes at Minnetonka High School. Having been in these girls’ shoes not too long ago, I understand the stressors that young female athletes face today. I have a special interest in teaching others how to take care of themselves through adequate fueling, setting realistic goals and boundaries, and having self-compassion. I believe each athlete has a special role on this team, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help them discover it.

stacie.olson@minnetonkaschools.org

My name is Stacie Olson, I am entering my 15th year teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grade Physical Education at Minnetonka Middle School East. This is my 5th year as Head Girls Cross Country Coach at MME and 9th 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.  I started coaching Varsity Basketball at Maple Grove in 2022.  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.  On June 12th I welcomed my first child, Codi Jo. She is perfect and I already love being a mom.

beth.ahlgren@minnetonkaschools.org