Coaches
We have excellent coaches with Brian Abery at the helm as Head Coach and several assistant coaches (displayed in alphabetical order below).
They each invest an incredible amount of time and energy into this large team of skiers. For that we are so grateful.
About our coaches...
Brian Abery, Head Coach
He's got some favorite quotes to share:
- "Having fun and focusing on the process of skiing leads to much better outcomes than an emphasis on race placings and times."
- "Nordic skiing is 110% perspiration (i.e. effort) with the remaining 20% based on the genes one gets from parents."
- "Ski the tracks...they are your friend."
Sam Abbott, Assistant Coach
Sam is in school at Saint Thomas, getting a teaching license in 6-12 Social Studies. He is a graduate of the ISD 196 team and is returning for his first year of coaching! Besides skiing, Sam likes to write letters and read; some of his favorite books are The Silmarillion and the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
Favorite quote:
“And here I have found what I sought not indeed, but finding I would possess forever.”
- J.R.R. Tolkien
Jacob Daubenberger, Assistant Coach
The photo above says it all.
Nick Hall, Assistant Coach
Nick has five kids with a daughter, Ashlyn (11th grade) and some future skiers, Klee and Sevi (both 6 years)!
Nick has been coaching Nordic skiing for 19 years (9 years with ISD 196)
He states "It's always great to meet new skiers, reconnect with our returning skiers, and see what the new season brings to the table!" He also emphasizes, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices!" Truth!
He loves nordic skiing because of both the community and the values it instills where hard work, discipline, and commitment directly correlate with skiers success.
Kaitlin Lee, Assistant Coach
As a newer coach to the ISD 196 Nordic Ski program, Kaitlin is excited to return to the sport she has loved since high school. After coaching for a few years out of college, she’s enjoyed skiing recreationally for many years since. Even though she is the head coach of Girls Cross Country at Apple Valley, she is a self professed fair-weather runner who would much rather be on the snow than on the road in the winter.
During the day she teaches Chemistry with an amazing team at Apple Valley High School. She’s super eager to help grow the Nordic ski program at Apple Valley and share her passion for skiing with our team.
Derek Schlager, Assistant Coach
Formerly a Burnsville High School cross-country, Nordic, and track coach for seven years, this year will be Derek's third year in the great ISD 196! He was head coach for BHS's Nordic Ski team 2016 - 2020. He also has been privileged to work alongside the great Andy Dodds through SSTG for the past several years.
Schlager is LOVING teaching mathematics at EVHS and looks forward to learning how to ski FAST with the ISD 196 Nordic Ski crew.
Some of his favorite quotes:
- "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right." - Henry Ford.
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"Judge a man by his questions rather than his answer." - Voltaire
Brock Taylor, Assistant Coach
Brock is in his first year of Nordic coaching after skiing for the ISD 196 team the last couple years. He enjoys running, skiing, weight lifting, hunting, and fishing... Working hard and enjoying nature!
He is currently working on his application for the United States Air Force Academy.
ISD 196 Nordic Ski Booster Club | email: isd196nordicskiteam@gmail.com
Head Coach: Brian Abery | email: abery001@umn.edu