Meet Our Coaches!
HIGH SCHOOL RACE TEAM
Head Coach: J. Erich Kern - - -
(contact: kern_erich [at] yahoo.com) Credentials: USSS Level 100 and 200 Certified Cross Country Coach
Bio: I was born and raised in Southeast WI with 6 brothers and sisters, and minimal Nordic skiing experience as a youth. I began bike racing post High School and cross trained by learning to Nordic ski, with a passion to ski the Birkie. After meeting and marrying my wife, Christel (MS Coach), who also had nordic skiing interests, we eventually settled in Northern MN. This is where our children, Grace (LNST Alum) and Jennings (HS team) were born. As the kids grew, it was natural to progress into coaching. Relocating to Minocqua in 2017, we immediately became involved with the LNST and I became Head Coach in 2018. I am honored to be working with a group of dedicated parents and coaches in a very involved Nordic ski community. I also enjoy spending time in many other outdoor activities that the Northwoods offer.
Assistant Coach/Team Manager: Christel Kern - - - (contact: christel.kern [at] gmail.com)
Credentials: USSS Level 100 and 200 Certified Cross Country Coach
Bio: I was raised in Shawano skiing recreationally with my family. When I was in college, my dad discovered the Birkie and he asked me to ski it with him. So, I skied it on my waxless classic skis and poles from 8th grade! After that, I got into citizen ski racing for fun with my dad and then-boyfriend, now-husband Erich. When our kids were elementary school-aged, I started coaching nordic ski through the Minnesota Youth Ski League. When we moved to Minocqua, I served as head coach for the LNST ES and MS teams! Outside of coaching and family life, I work in forestry research and I enjoy golf, yoga, painting, and travel.
Assistant Coach: Dan Clausen
Credentials: USSS Level 100 and 200 Certified Cross Country Coach; PSIA National Team, Cross Country and Telemark Level 3
Bio: I have been devoted to the ski industry for over 45 years. I have been coaching at Minocqua Winter Park for over 4 decades and was associated with the Lakeland ski team from the start. In the 1980s, I was a Senior USSA ski coach when skating first came on the scene and developed some of the first skating progressions and skate videos. I went on to coach the JR Alexandra Victorian team for nine summers at Lake Mt Ski School in Australia and for U.S. skiers at JR Nationals in Anchorage Ak and Rumford ME. I was a member of the PSIA National Demo team for 16 years and had the honor to represent US skiing at Interski in Beitostolen Norway, Crans Montana Switzerland, and Japan. Working with the Lakeland team has aided in forming the coach I am today Thank you! I also enjoy summer sports!
Assistant Coach/Wax Technician: John Schneider
Bio: Growing up in NE Wisconsin I got my start on fishscale classic skis at the age of 12 skiing small wooded trails in my hometown. My wife and I continued to ski when the weather allowed in Southern Minnesota in the 1990's until moving to Minocqua in 1999. In the 2015-2016 season, our son Cody joined the LNST High School team, and our daughter Miranda joined the Elementary School team during the 2016-2017 season. Having seen the HS coach with these 2 large yellow boxes filled with different types of kick/ glide waxes and then the testing of said waxes - I was really fascinated. It was then, along with his help, that I began to really learn and enjoy the various nuances of waxes and when and where they would and would not work and the why behind it.
DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Head Coach/Team Manager: Sara Keuler - - - (contact: sekeuler [at] gmail.com)
Credentials: USSS L100 Certified Cross Country Coach
Bio: Raised in Wisconsin, I spent my outdoor winter hours ice skating and occasionally cross country skiing with my family. I may be the only ski coach who hopes the snow holds out for the lakes to freeze so the perfect ice rink can take shape! I began skiing consistently in my mid 20’s, backcountry nordic and downhill, due to the accessibility in the locations I lived. Since calling Minocqua my home, both skate and classic skiing have become regular winter activities. My husband, Andrew and I ran the Nordic Pups youth program for 4 years. I was assistant coach of LNST Elementary School for 2 years and now Head Coach for the last 2 years. Outside of working as a physical therapist and spending time with Andrew and our children, Brayden and Cooper, I enjoy cooking, music, road trips to the mountains, and playing on the lake in the summer.
Assistant Coach: Zeke Fashingbauer (LNST Alumnus!)
Credentials: USSS Level 100 Certified Cross Country Coach, PSIA National Team, Cross Country L3, Childrens Specialist 2, YMCA Youth Development Specialist
Bio: Born in Minocqua (1988) and learned to ski at Minocqua Winter Park in the Bill Koch League. Skied with LNST through high school (2007). Attended University of Minnesota-Duluth, studied History and German Studies, taught alpine and snowboarding at Spirit Mt in Duluth. Returned to Minocqua (2012) to pursue cross country skiing and began coaching and teaching skiing full-time. Hired by PSIA Central as an examiner (2015) and named to the PSIA National team in 2021. Married to Stacey Fashingbauer (PA); two kids: Finn and Leo. “Skiing and education have provided many opportunities for growth and travel, but I still like it here in Minocqua. When I’m not at Winter Park, I'm water skiing, tele skiing, fishing, hunting, motorcycling, or playing in the band. In the summer, I have a carpentry business and gig with 22 Off.”