Zachary Hall: SR Program MANAGER & Head COACH Comp Biathlon
CONTACT: ZHALL@UOLF.ORG | 907-227-2699
COACHING PHILOSOPHY: I love helping young people develop their potential as athletes and members of society. Nordic skiing and Biathlon are two paradigms that I use to stretch individuals physically and mentally while reinforcing broader life lessons. I strive to cultivate an environment where athletes embrace challenge as a key driver of personal excellence. Learning how to goal set is a key to success. Once we have identified our goals, our best learning comes when we are operating on the edge of our abilities. Through this process we reinforce the habit of focused practice and iterative learning. There is a finite life to being an athlete and ultimately I want athletes to appreciate that athletics can take them many places, from back-country lakes and mountain tops to possible appearances in a Jr. National Championships, racing on a Collegiate ski team or even the Olympics someday. BIO: Zach grew up ski racing in Alaska and attended Dartmouth College where he raced with the varsity XC team and earned a degree in Psychology & Brain Sciences. He was a member of the US Biathlon Development and National Teams from 2007-2011, winning the overall NorAm Cup once and qualifying as an alternate for both the 2010 Olympic Team & 2011 World Championship Team. Zach spent his first 'retired' years working with an Alaskan travel marketing firm and growing programs to support Alaskan athletes. He was a founding member and Head Coach of the Anchorage Biathlon Club and helped launch Alaska Biathlon Association. He was also involved for several years with NANANordic and Skiku, programs that teach skiing and biathlon across Alaska. His efforts helped multiple athletes achieve berths on both the US Youth/Jr World Championship Teams and Arctic Winter Games Teams. Since moving to Utah in 2016, Zach has been involved with XC & Biathlon at Soldier Hollow, launching biathlon sport development programs in 2017 and overseeing redevelopment of the 2002 Olympic Biathlon Range to bring it up to current international standards. He is excited to coach alongside great colleagues who are working together to support Team SoHo athletes as they pursue their goals! |
Gerrit Garberich: Head COACH Comp XC
CONTACT: GGARBERICH@UOLF.ORG | 218-839-6340
COACHING PHILOSOPHY: K- keep I - it S- simple S- ski coach I strive to get athletes to focus and think about what they can do and control to become a better ski racer. Focus on training, technique, and fueling their training to get the most out of themselves. Practice should be a judgement free zone where athletes feel safe so they don't have to overcome the fear of failure. Athletes should take advantage of this safe space to learn and improve. My hope is all of the athletes I coach will know if they had a good race before they see the results. BIO: Coach Gerrit has taken over the Comp Head Coach role from Coach Sara. He hails from the skiing mecca of Central Minnesota where he got his start as a Nordic skier in high school and was training year-round for skiing and biathlon by the time he was a senior. He spent the next four years ski racing and studying exercise physiology at the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, MN. While in College he met his wife, another skier (and now new teacher at the Soldier Hollow Charter School!) and proposed to her in the fall of their senior year. Following his collegiate ski career, he has spent the past few years coaching summers for clubs in MN, including CXC, and during the fall and winter seasons was busy as an assistant coach for one season at his Alma Mater in the midwest and two seasons at Williams College, a member of the Eastern Intercollegiate Association. Coach Garberich just finished his M.S. degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition. When he's not coaching skiing, you may catch a flash of him rollersking by on the trails at Soldier Hollow or putting in miles on foot or in the saddle on the Heber Valley trails. |
Torey Patenaude: Head coach Devo XC & Devo Biathlon
CONTACT: TPATENAUDE@UOLF.ORG
COACHING PHILOSOPHY: My goal as a coach is that the kids take ownership over their involvement in their sports. I am a big believer in tackling head space and figuring out how to deal with frustration and fear so they can have all of the confidence and positivity that they need to achieve success. The environment for the Devo Team that I aim to cultivate and maintain is one where the young athletes are inspired to challenge themselves but still find the sport to be a fun outlet. BIO: Coach Torey as the full-time Devo XC and BIA Head Coach will provide consistent training oversight for all of Team SoHo's U12 and U14 athletes. Coach Torey grew up in Lake Placid, New York Nordic skiing at Mt. Van Hoevenberg throughout her childhood and adolescence. The Empire State Games introduced her to biathlon, which she trained for in both the summer and winter for many years. She went on to St. Lawrence University where she was captain of the club Nordic team, which included revamping the small team by coaching new members, designing club apparel, and scouting new locations for skiing. Torey graduated in 2016 with a degree in Estudios Hispanicos. The outdoor industry became a career move instead of a way to just pay for education. She moved to Utah in the fall of 2016 where she quickly fell in love with climbing and became a coach for three years. She developed Spanish instruction for the climbing gym as well as created and implemented numerous community events. She took these skills for a brief stint in Portugal as brand manager of a small climbing company. The constant sunny beach days were maddening for a winter aficionado and Torey returned to Lake Placid for the sub zero temperatures and became a nordic ski coach and instructor at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. She was the head coach for local school teams that sprang up in the time she was away from the area. Torey moved back to Utah at the end of the ski season and is excited to have the opportunity to combine her passions for Nordic skiing and coaching. When not working, Torey has traveled to other countries for long distance recreational pursuits. Her favorite adventures were the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain and mountaineering on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Her next goal is to ski the historic Nansen Route across Greenland. |
Curtis Lupo: Assistant Coach Comp Biathlon
Hanz Johansson: Assistant Coach Devo Biathlon
CONTACT: hanzjohansson64@gmail.com
COACHING PHILOSOPHY/BIO: I am coaching for both PCSS Nordic and SoHo biathlon. I grew up with Nordic skiing in Sweden and I started coaching in 2015 to help kids to become better nordic skiers. My coaching philosophy is to prioritize a fun and safe learning environment. You learn best if you are safe and having fun. |
Steve Schusler: Assistant Coach Devo Biathlon
CONTACT: sjschusler@gmail.com
BIO: Steve is a retired nuclear engineer and long time recreational cross country skier. He became interested in biathlon after moving to Utah and has trained and competed in public biathlon races for the past two seasons. Steve enjoys coaching and interacting with the devo team athletes and watching them gain confidence and proficiency in their biathlon skills. In the summer you can find him mountain biking on the local trails and road biking on his favorite, Pine Canyon Road. |
Mix Broadhead: Assistant Coach Devo Biathlon & XC
Bio: Mix was born and raised in Heber and has been Nordic skiing since 6th grade. Mix ski raced competitively through high school. He is currently taking classes at Utah Valley University. Enjoys outdoor recreational activities suck as mountain biking and trail running. His favorite summer activity is Spartan races. Filled with trail running and obstacles throughout the race.
Coaching philosophy: Fantastically Amazing! Work hard, think creatively, and play well. Improve skills with fun. I like Creating environments where kids can discover and learn new things, while having a great time. |
Ethan Hall: Assistant Devo Coach Biathlon and XC
Don Miller: Assistant Devo Coach Biathlon and XC
Andrew james: Masters Biathlon
CONTACT: ANDREWJ94@GMAIL.COM
COACHING PHILOSOPHY: My teaching style derives from many years of studying and playing classical music: I approach each lesson by breaking down complex systems into manageable pieces, like a symphony. Similar to a classically-trained musician, gaining muscle-memory is essential to streamline movements while shooting. BIO: I competed on the cycling and cross country teams for my alma mater, Colorado Mesa University. After graduating from CMU I decided to switch gears and focus on biathlon training. I relocated to Midway, UT so that I can train full-time at Soldier Hollow. When I am not skiing, you can find me playing cello, cooking, or reading. |