NORDIC SKIING
2009-2010 State Awardees
|
|
NORDIC SKIING2009-2010 State Awardees |
Click on Awardees names to read their nomination letter
Coach Of the Year Paula Anderson, Ely
Assistant Coach Of the Year Glen Sorenson, Proctor
Volunteer of the Year Joe Manns, Roseville
Minnesota State High School Nordic Ski Coaches, Coach of the Year for the 2009-2010 Season, Paula Anderson, Ely
Each year the Nordic Ski Coaches Association selects an exemplar to honor for their work as a coach and ambassador for our sport. Paula Anderson has given of herself in ways that have not only provided success to the Ely High School ski team, but to the entire Minnesota high school skiing community.
Ely has one of the smallest student populations for schools with cross-country skiing, yet she continues to attract a team that makes up almost 10% of enrollment at the high school. The Ely ski team is a club team that is funded only from community supported fundraisers. Paula is involved with the yearly acquisition of funds to secure that another ski season will take place in Ely. She not only works to make sure the funds are developing, but that the skiers are developing as well by leading a summer workout program. Her ability to individualize the training for her athletes is a unique skill. I have observed her talking with athletes about their physical state and making adjustments to a workout program to best serve them. This is a manifestation of her commitment to the student athletes and the amount of time and effort she devotes to the sport. Both her boys and girls teams finished 1st at the Section 7 ski meet.
While Paula takes care of skiing matters in our community, she is also seeking to develop the presence of cross-country skiing within the Minnesota State High School League as our Coaches Association president. She makes the time to inform coaches of what is taking place around the state and acts on issues that concern us all.
When I reflect on the art of coaching and the complexities of athlete motivation, operational organization, technical knowledge, and group dynamics, Paula Anderson is the best model that I have had the pleasure to work with and know as a true friend.
Submitted by Todd Hohenstein – Ely Assistant Coach
Minnesota State High School Nordic Ski Coaches, Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2009-2010 Season, Glen Sorenson, Proctor
Glen Sorenson began coaching Nordic Skiing in 1979 as a head coach. He started the Proctor girl’s team in 1979, Duluth Marshall boys’ and girls’ teams in 1982, and the Proctor boy’s team in 1989. Glen’s teams have won three girl’s section 7 championships, four boys’ section 7 championships, and many conference championships. During the 1995-96 season, Glen was honored as the State Nordic Ski Coach of the Year.
For the last three years Glen has moved to assistant coach position in order to smooth the transition to a new head coach because Glen will be retiring this year. As the assistant, Glen has been able to focus on teaching ski technique waxing technique and building relationships with kids. Like his students in the classroom, our skiers hang on his every word and work to give him their best because they want to impress him. Glen Sorenson’s leadership goes well beyond whatever titles he has held, and a fine example of this has been his unselfish insistence to step aside as head coach so that he could properly mentor his successor.
Glen’s helpful nature and love of high school skiing has made him an “assistant coach” to many area high school programs and skiers during the past 30+ years and I doubt his upcoming retirement will do much to curb this interest and involvement… at least I hope not
Submitted by Jim Vos
Minnesota State High School Nordic Ski Coaches, Volunteer of the Year for the 2009-2010 Season, Joe Manns of Roseville
The 2009-2010 season is Joe’s fourth year as a volunteer coach. It seems with each season Joe becomes more committed to the team and more adapt with his coaching. Throughout the season Joe has made sure to be at every race and most practices. During practice Joe will frequently pull a skier aside and work with them one on one with technique. One day it will be with one of our varsity skiers, then the next with a first year skier. He makes sure everyone on the team gets the same one on one attention. Being a competitive ski and marathon canoe racer himself he brings vast amounts of wisdom about race strategy and prep, as well as helping the team get wax dialed in for the day. We really appreciate all that he has contributed to our program over the last four years.
Submitted by Jamie Misner, Roseville