2008 Mounds view girls track and field
Coaching Staff
Co – head coach – sprints and relays: Scott Ylkanen
Scott graduated from Mounds View in 1998, then went on to receive his degree in Human Communications with a minor in Athletic Coaching at Bethel University. He recently completed his master’s degree in Special Education, and presently teaches in the Career Life & Transition Program at the Har Mar Mall. This will be his 8th year coaching Track & Field and 6th year as Co-Head Coach with Aaron. He holds a USATF coaching education Level I certification in Track & Field, and will be taking Level II classes sometime soon. Scott also serves as the Head Sophomore football coach for Mounds View. He has been married to Nikki since July 2004, and they have a beautiful little girl, Skylar, who was born on June 2nd 2006. They presently live in Circle Pines.
Co – head coach – jumps: Aaron Redman
Aaron will be entering his 6th year co-head coaching the girls track program with Mounds View and 8th year overall coaching track. Before working with the Mounds View program he coached the co-ed jumps at Wayzata High School where he is a former graduate (’95) and a part of the 1995 MN state track and field champions.. His undergraduate degree is from Bethel University (’99) and completed a master of education degree from St. Thomas University (’02). Aaron holds a USA Track and Field coaching education Level II certification in jumps. He presently teaches in the social studies department at Irondale High School and also serves as the defensive coordinator for the Irondale football program.
Distance: Ben Willenbring
Ben graduated from Mounds View in 2003 and received his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College (IL) in 2007. At Mounds View he was a member of three True Team Championships and a captain in track and cross county. This is Ben's first year as a coach with the Mounds View girls track and field team and he is excited to use his experiences as an athlete in leading the girls distance program.
Mid – Distance: Kristy Popp
Kristy is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, working towards a degree in Exercise Physiology. Besides working a few summer running camps, this will be her second year as a coach rather than an athlete. She competed in both track and cross country throughout high school and college, and feels very fortunate to have been involved in three fantastic programs. Her high school team (BowmanND) was a top 25 nationally ranked team all four years and top 10 her senior year. Kristy’s first four years of college eligibility were spent competing at ValparaisoUniversity, and her final season was completed at the University of Minnesota. She also currently serves as the assistant cross country coach at Mounds View.
Throws: Rob Piersak
Rob begins his 6th year of coaching track with the Mounds View girls track and field program. He has over 30 years of coaching experience, 19 with the Mounds View soccer program and 13 with the basketball program at Mounds View. He has been teaching for 26 years in the physical education field, 23 of those at St. Odilia. Coach Piersak and his wife Deb have had two daughers (Amy and Kelly) compete in the Mounds View track and field program and have a son currently competing for the boys.
Hurdles: Chet Springborn
Chet has been a Physical Education teacher in the Mounds View school district since 1998, and currently serves at Sunnyside Elementary. In 1998 he started coaching the girls track team at MVHS in a multi-event position. He has coached the throwing events, hurdles and pole vault at various times throughout his coaching experience in track and field. Following a brief hiatus he returns for a second season coaching the hurdlers. He also coaches football with Irondale High School. Chet owns a lawn sprinkling service and lives with his wife Angie and their children in Circle Pines.
Pole Vault: Matt Fleigle
Matt Fleigle is entering his second year of coaching with the girls program. He is a graduate of Mounds View High School (’06) and was an all – state performer in the pole vault event for a true team and MN state championship team. He is currently attending Concordia University in St. Paul and majoring in kinesiology. Matt is also apart of Concordia's track and field program and competing in the pole vault event.
Pole Vault: Mike Soule (volunteer)
Mike began pole vaulting at the age of 7. Through the years he jumped on, bamboo poles, steel poles, aluminum poles, and on his first fiberglass pole as a freshman in high school. Personal best was 12' 7 1/2" on a black 1550 Cat-A-Pole. He has recently come back to vaulting after being away for 35 years. Mike currently competes in the USATF Masters Track and Field competitions. He has been a volunteer vault coach with the Mounds View girls since 2006.