Minnetonka Track and Field & Cross Country

rebecca.wesley@minnetonkaschools.org

I am entering my third year as the girls head cross country coach at Minnetonka, which will round out my first decade of coaching.  When I'm not coaching, I am working as an intern therapist for Peak Performance Twin Cities, where I help athletes and young adults with their mental health.  I plan to graduate with my M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services in the Fall of 2025.   

Back in the day, I was an All-State runner competing for Tartan Senior High School.  In college I competed at the Division III and Division I levels in both track and field and cross country.  I earned a B.A. in Philosophy, a B.S. in Biokinetics, and an M.Ed. in Applied Kinesiology.  After college I turned my attention towards coaching at the Division III and Division II levels.

I have held several coaching 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.

My goal is to promote self-confidence, integrity, and accountability in young individuals so that they can overcome life’s challenges with strength and poise.  I value health, growth, balance, and support for all members of the team.

bethany.brausen@minnetonkaschools.org

I grew up in Hugo, MN, where my love for running began through soccer, track & field, and cross country. I competed in cross country and track & field at White Bear Lake Area High School, where I hold the school record in the 4k, 3,200m, and 4 x 800m relay. I qualified for the state meet 4x as an individual in cross country and 2x in track for the 1,600m, 3,200m, and 4 x 800m relay. During high school, Patti Percival, Dave Percival, and Sue Wurl were incredible mentors and coaches who continue to support me in all my endeavors!

I continued my running career at the University of South Dakota (USD) at the Division I level, where I was part of 5x Summit League Conference Championship teams, earned First-Team All-Conference honors, Newcomer of the Conference, and scored in multiple conference track events, including the 1,600m, 3,000m, 5,000m, and a 3rd place finish in the 10,000m. I was also a member of the relay team that holds the South Dakota State Record in the 4x1,600m relay.

After graduating from USD with a B.S. in Exercise Science and a B.A. in Spanish, I pursued my Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, followed by an orthopedic physical therapy residency at MHealth Fairview. Within this past year, I got married to my husband, Adam (a Minnetonka alumnus!), and I started my physical therapy practice called Tempo Physical Therapy & Running Performance, where I specialize in orthopedics, running-specific care, pelvic health, dry needling, and run coaching (UESCA-certified). Outside of PT and coaching, I enjoy running (currently compete for TC Running), attending live music events, hiking, traveling, crafts, and spending time with family and friends.

This is my first season with the Minnetonka Girls' Cross Country team! I am elated to give back to a sport that has taught me invaluable lessons and continues to bring me joy with others. These are formative years of having a healthy experience and future with running as a sport, developing lifelong relationships with teammates, improving self-esteem, discovering personal drive, and learning how to work on individual goals as a part of a collective goal. I look forward to being a positive mentor and helping others discover and learn more about themselves through running! 

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