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Girls Cross Country

Regular Season Cross Country
Cross Country x Regular Season

Contact Information

rebecca.wesley@minnetonkaschools.org

Rebecca Wesley, Head Coach

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.


Contact Information

heidicleighton@gmail.com

Heidi Leighton, Assistant Coach

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. 


Stacie Olson, MME Head Coach

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.  


Contact Information

Beth.Keskey@minnetonkaschools.org

Beth Keskey - MMW Girls CC Coach

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