Member Bios

Current Members

Mark Ahlers, Mounds View, MN (Coach since 2004)

 

Vakava: 2004-present 

Number of years skiing: Too many decades to count; U of M ski team in the 80s under coach Ahvo. OG Vaker.
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Uberlegger
Occupation and other interests: Longtime Industrial Tech high school teacher at Irondale. Head XC and Nordic ski coach at Irondale.

Dave Christopherson, St. Anthony, MN (Coach since 2005)

 

 

Number of years skiing: More than you.

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Helping coach Vakava skiers to too-many-to-count overall and age-group victories, while getting a good number of National Masters Championship wins myself.

Occupation and other interests: Retired Environmental Researcher at Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Biking, hiking, lots of kinds of music.

Craig Cardinal, Northfield, MN (Coach since 2020)

 
 

Vakava: 2013-present

Number of years skiing: 22
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 7th at the 2019 Birkie Classic, 33rd at the 2015 & 2016 Birkie Skate
Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Assistant Cross Country and Head Nordic Ski coach at Northfield.
Occupation and other interests: Process Engineer at Sheldahl. Running and racing marathons and ultramarathons, Canoeing, Bicycling on paved and gravel roads, Camping.

Mary Beth Tuttle, Pine Springs, MN

Vakava: 2004 - present 

Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava:Volunteer high school Nordic ski coach
Occupation and other interests: Physical Therapist. Swimming, biking, running.

Kevin Ivens, Champlin, MN

 

 

Vakava: 2004 - present

Number of years skiing: 46
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Skinnyski Series Skier of the Year ‘08-‘09.
Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Assistant Ski Coach at Champlin Park High School; runs Ivenski Summer Training Program for juniors.
Occupation and other interests: Industrial Maintenance. Beer-making, running, mountain biking.

Brock Lundberg, Hudson, WI

 

Vakava: 2005 - 20**; 20** - present

Number of years skiing: OG Team Birkie skier from back in the day

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 67th place, 2022 Classic Birkie; skied the real 2023 Mora Vasaloppet!
Occupation and other interests: Sales guy; double pole specialist

Andy Schakel, St. Paul, MN

 
 

Vakava: 2005 - 20**; 20** - present 

Number of years skiing: 27
Occupation and other interests: Physician. I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife, family, and especially trying to keep up with our kids!

Nathan Porath, Northfield, MN

 

Vakava: 2007 - present 

Number of years skiing: Since 1998
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 8th at MN State Meet in 2000, 28th at 2009 Birkie 50k skate, 6x winner of the Vasaloppet 35k skate (Dala).
Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Currently an assistant coach at Northfield High School
Occupation and other interests: Dentist at Midwest Dental in Faribault. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my wife Nichole and kids Greta, Anna, Jack, and Freya.

Paul Olson, Andover, MN

 
 

Vakava: 2009 - present 

Number of years skiing: 25
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Back in the day… 4th at Mesabi, 5th at State, quite a few top 3 at JOQ’s, 3rd, 4th 5th finishes in 35 km Vasaloppet and many bonking experiences.
Occupation and other interests: Mechanical/packaging engineer for Northland Automation and Engineering Inc. Enjoy downhill skiing, waterskiing, road and mtn biking, scuba diving, Frisbee, running.

Katy Splan, St. Paul, MN

Vakava: 2009 - present 

Number of years skiing: 18
Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: While nothing formal, I try to be a great ambassador for the sport, and ski with non-racing family and friends regularly.
Occupation: Chemistry professor at Macalester College.

Bonnie Weiskopf, Grant, MN

Bonnie and her 5 kiddos circa 2010

Vakava: 2010 - present 

Number of years skiing: 28

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: National Collegiate Cross-Country Skiing Champion (NCSA) 7 times from 1987-1990 (includes freestyle, classic, and relay titles). World University Games team 1991. Olympic Trials 1992 & 1994 (multiple top 10 finishes). Great American Ski Chase 1st overall female 1993, 2nd overall female 1994.

Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Minnesota Youth Ski League (MYSL) coach 2002-present. MYSL Battle Creek Youth Ski Club leader 2007-present. Minneapolis Ski Club coach spring 2010. Founder/organizer/coach MYSL East Metro Dryland Training Club.
Occupation and other interests: Engineer (3M August 1997-June 2009), currently working on startup ideas for my own engineering business. Mother of five. Photography. Running, biking, soccer. Camping, outdoor adventures, family activities/travel. Church

Erik Pieh, St. Paul, MN

 
 

Vakava: 2014 - present 

Number of years skiing: Since 8th grade

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Winning Wave 3 at the Birkie, a Horse at the Mora Vasaloppet, and an Axe at the Minnesota Finlandia!
Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Volunteer groomer of Columbia Golf Course, University of Minnesota Nordic Ski Club Alumni
Occupation and other interests: Mechanical Engineer; bicycling and bicycles, running, canoeing, backpacking, backcountry camping and my wife, Elspeth.

Elspeth Ronnander, St. Paul, MN

 

Vakava: 2014 - present 

Number of years skiing: all my life; racing since age 16

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 2016 11th place American Birkebeiner 55 km classic and making the Minnesota Finlandia Promo Video
Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Volunteer high school ski coach at Mahtomedi and skiing memoir, Going the Distance: Piecing Together a Life of Adventure.
Occupation and other interests: Nurse Practitioner; hiking, paddling, and adventuring trips (especially in the mountains), writing, reading, cooking, and spending time with my husband, Erik.

Hans Harlane, St. Paul, MN

 

 

Vakava: 2014 - present 

Number of years skiing: I’ve been skiing with my family since I was little but started racing in middle school for Hastings then in college for Macalester. 

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Birkie elite wave for several years. 

Occupation and other interests: High school science teacher at Mahtomedi. Former assistant Nordic coach. I enjoy trail running and biking in the summer as well as chasing after my two young sons and daughter.

Abe Peterson, Prescott, WI

 

 

Vakava: 2016 - present 

Number of years skiing: former high school and Michigan Tech skier
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 23rd place, 2022 Classic Birkie
Occupation and other interests: works for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and growing garlic on his hobby farm.

 

Laura Cattaneo, Minneapolis, MN

 

 

Vakava: 2018 - present 

Number of years skiing: throwing temper tantrums on skis: ~2000; enjoying skiing: ~2009
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: sharing a podium with Jessie Diggins and Caitlin/Heidi Gregg
Occupation and other interests: Machine Learning Engineer. Besides skiing I like to mountain bike and run, visit friends who live in cool places, and compare bagel shops - sometimes during long bike rides or skis.

 

Ben Mullin, Lindstrom, MN

 

Vakava: 2019 - present 

Number of years skiing: 16
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 200th place male at 2019 Birkie.  Yes, the LAST place to qualify for the elite wave.
Occupation and other interests: Systems Engineer; mountain biking, trail running, adventure hikes with my wife, nerdy stuff on the computer or in the shop, Nordic Race Analysis

Artie Huber, Otsego,MN

Vakava: 2020 - present 

Number of years skiing: began skiing at the age of 36 and wish I would have started sooner.
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Maintaining Elite wave placement for the past 5yrs with a 64th place in the 2019 Birkie. Organizing and completing three 100km rollerski events.
Occupation and other interests: Outside of the time skiing with friends I enjoy spending time with my wife and son. For work/career I’m residential real estate appraiser with U.S. Bank.

Maria Schilling, Minneapolis, MN 

 

Vakava: 2020 - present 

Number of years skiing: NORDIC age 41 ; ALPINE, age 2
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 1st Riverview Loppet (Classic) 2021, Age group wins (Classic) Mora Vasaloppet
Occupation and other interests: 

Profession: High School Teacher (PE and Health)

Other Interests: Professional canoe racing, Alpine Ski coach, running, Pilates, Dogs

 

Dave Folland, Northfield, MN

Vakava: 2021 - present 

Number of years skiing: ??? Long time classic specialist and bike racer.
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:
Occupation and other interests: Violin maker extraordinaire. 

 

Eva Reinicke, Northfield, MN

 

Eva and Elspeth racing the 2024 Skadi's Chase

Vakava: 2022 - present 

Years skiing: since 2014 when I moved to Minnesota for Vet school; first Birkie in 2015

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:  

Occupation and other interests:  current small animal vet, former large animal vet, bee vet and honey maker

Chris Jopp, Saint Paul, MN

 

Vakava: 2023 - present
Years skiing:  I reluctantly skied as a freshman in high school when urged by my parents to take up an extracurricular activity. Little did I know that I would fall in love with the sport as an adult and start racing and actively training in 2016.

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:  hasn't happened yet :)

Occupation: Filmmaker 

Other interests: When I’m not skiing, I can usually be found doing something creative. Typically, this involves making movies. My films of various genres have toured film festivals around the world and I’m currently working on one about Nordic skiing. In addition to filmmaking, I enjoy playing piano and composing orchestral film scores as a hobby. I also host a gaming group where we play all sorts of nerdy tabletop RPG’s and board games. My partner Emily and I have two cats and a dog and love to cook and travel the world.

 

Mike Drinane, Saint Paul, MN

Vakava: 2023 - present

Years skiing: I was 5 or 6 when my dad first took me out, so about 1990. On and off since then.

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: All-state in 2003, Roseville Extra-K Club

Occupation and other interests: 3rd grade teacher. Other than skiing and teaching, I love goofing off with my daughter and wife, disc golf, softball, and board games and D&D.

 

Elena Cattaneo, Minneapolis, MN

 

Years skiing:

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Qualified for Birkie Elite Wave during first year of medical school

Occupation and other interests: Medical student; spent gap years in Switzerland

 

  

Josh Albrecht, Roseville, MN

 

 

Vakava: 2023 - present 

Years skiing: my whole life (first official Vakava offspring recruit); skied for Michigan Tech

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:  

Occupation and other interests: engineer

Ian Wright, Minneapolis, MN 

Vakava: 2023 - present 

Years skiing: Since joining the high school team as a freshman

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:  

Occupation and other interests: Engineer; other interests: soccer

Gabby Vandendries, Minneapolis, MN

 

Vakava: 2024 - present 

Years skiing: Grew up skiing in Boston; raced at Bowdoin for college

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:  

Occupation and other interests: PhD student in chemistry 

Adrienne Keller, St. Paul, MN

 

  

Vakava: 2024 - present 

Years skiing: began at age  5; grew up on fish scales, skiing over the holidays with my family in Oregon; first ski race was the Birkie Classic in 2022

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: She says she doesn't have any yet but made the Birkie Classic Elite Wave in 2025

Occupation and other interests: Research faculty in environmental science at Michigan Tech University; enjoy anything active outside, reading, exploring new places and finding new challenges, playing music, hanging out with my young nieces

 

Stephanie Lewis, St. Paul, MN

Vakava: 2025 - present 

Years skiing: skied for Blaine high school; ran cross-country and track for Luther College

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:  

Occupation and other interests: Physician Assistant student at Bethel University

 

McEwan Rodefeld, Apple Valley, MN

 

Vakava: 2025 - present 

Years skiing: high school: skiing since 2011

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Skied for the College of St. Scholastica, where I also met my wife. Won the 2019 Kortelopet Skate, Won 2019 Seeley Hills Classic (despite my aversion to classic), Won 2021 Skadi's Chase. Technically undefeated in 2021.  

Occupation and other interests: Works in IT. Loves biking and working on bikes when not skiing. 

 

Haakon Sigurslid, St. Paul, MN

Vakava: 2025 - present

Years skiing: high school in Colorado; raced for Harvard, then took a few years off and started skiing again when I met Elena

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:  

Occupation and other interests: 4th year medical student; applying to surgery residencies

 

Sam Shaheen, MN

Vakava: 2025 - present 

Years skiing: Skied for Southwest high school in Minneapolis, then for Bowdoin

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:  

Occupation and other interests: Post-doctorate in chemistry/geology/the environment

 

Zach Pannkuk MN

Vakava: 2025 - present

Years skiing: taught myself to ski when working at Elm Creek

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:  

Occupation and other interests: jack of all trades

 

Leif Hanson, Champlin, MN 

 

 

 

Vakava: 2025 - present 

Years skiing: Started skiing in 2008 at age 14

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:3 times in the top 10 of the classic Birkie, all without kick wax, including a 5th place finish in 2025

Occupation and other interests: Pharmacy student graduating in 2026 with an interest in compounding pharmacy. Outside of skiing and some running I enjoy being lazy at home, playing video games, doing puzzles, and watching movies with my wife Nicole.

Vakava Alumni

Angie Robinson, Roseville, MN

 

Number of years skiing: since 1982
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 2 top-10 Birkies and several top-10 finishes at US Nationals in ‘90s, World Cup race at Thunder Bay ’94.
Occupation and other interests: Software Engineer. Assistant Nordic Coach for Roseville Area High School. Gardening, sewing, crochet, beading, sustainability, home brewing (throws a good party).

Derek Wallen, Apple Valley, MN

Number of years skiing: This is my 3rd year skiing with Vakava
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 51st at the 2009 American Birkie.
Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Graphic design for Finn Sisu
Occupation and other interests: Graphic Designer at Curb-Crowser in Minneapolis. Road biking, trail running, swimming, disc golfing

Brent Oja, Greenville, SC

Number of years skiing: 14
Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Groomer at Battle Creek
Occupation and other interests: IT manager for ScanSource Inc. located in Greenville, South Carolina.Work travel for the past year - this will be an "interesting" race season...
Other interests include hiking, guitars, and beer.

Michele Oja, River Falls, WI

Number of years skiing: 6
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 2007 MN Skinnyski Series Skier of the Year, 2008 MN Skinnyski Series Overall Winner
Occupation and other interests: Executive Assistant to CEO at JCAHPO. Spending time with my family - Brent (teammate and #1 workout partner (currently missing in action)), Patrick (23), Katelyn (22), and Emily (14). Also enjoy swimming, hiking, biking, and gardening.

Kathleen Dewahl, St. Paul, MN

Number of years skiing: 20
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: NCAA qualifier 2008, All-American 1K sprint 2001.

Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Assistant Ski Coach at St. Paul Central High School.

Occupation and other interests: Graduate student in astrophysics. Just about any kind of racing (running, triathlon, canoeing), camping, hiking, astronomy.

 

Alex Reich, Marine on St. Croix, MN

 

Vakava: 2016 - 2023 

Number of years skiing:

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:
Occupation and other interests: 

 

 

Claire Trujillo,  Anchorage, AK

 

Number of years skiing: Since 2009
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Annual sunrise to sunset solstice skis
Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Co-founder and running and skiing coach for All Things Project AK
Occupation and other interests: Physical therapist and co-founder and coach for All Things Project AK.  Running, hiking, drawing, reading, writing, eating peas, playing piano and cello 

Sarah Widder, Menominee, WI

 

Number of years skiing: 6 yo (family skiing), started racing, skate technique in high school (16 yo)
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: 1st at SISU Ski Fest 2023,

13th in 50k freestyle Birkie 2021, 17th in 50k freestyle Birkie 2022, 3rd in 50k skate at Mora Vasaloppet 2022, 1st in 50k skate at Pepsi Challenge.  Lots of races out West prior to 2021 that don't matter much. 
Occupation and other interests: Chief Services Officer of energy consulting company (Cadeo Group).  Do triathlon in the summer. Also stay busy canoeing, camping, gardening, and cooking. 

Ben Larson, Menomonie, WI

 

Number of years skiing: I couldn't really V2 until 2014/2015 season so count that as the real start.
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:

-131st Birkie Skate this year. Skiing in the elite wave is fun!

-3rd at Ozbaldy 50km skate in 2019. Okay, it's a small local race at Cabin Creek in Seattle but it was my local race. My first ever sprint to the line. It was four up and I managed third. Lost second by a lunge which I have no idea how to do.

Occupation and other interests:

What I do for work:

I try to make the world a better place by helping people do more with less energy. I have a small consulting business that researches how we use energy in buildings and works with utilities to reduce that usage. 

Other interests:

When there isn't snow on the ground I ride/race my road and gravel bikes. I enjoy an occasional wilderness paddling trip. When there is snow on the ground, I spend most of the time trying to keep up with my wife Sarah.

 

Scott Keyser, St. Paul, MN

 

Number of years skiing: skied arctic commando style for St Paul Central High School and in college as a Gustie
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Got run over by a car while rollerskiing in college; lived to tell about it without any broken bones and just some road rash
Occupation and other interests: Worked with Dave Christopherson at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (the rest is history). Otherwise has two young sons. 

 

Cheryl Dubois, North Oaks, MN

 

 

Number of years skiing: 19 (4 seriously)

Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career:
2009: 19th at Birkie (3rd in age group); 1st at Tour of Anchorage 40k; 4th at Mora Vasaloppet 42k classic; 2nd at City of Lakes Loppet 25k Classic.
2008: New Years Day - crashed while practicing kamikaze downhill’s and partially tore knee ligament, missed most of the season but managed to squeak into the Birkie elite wave. World Masters Championships in McCall Idaho.
2007: 1st overall female in Minnesota Skinny Ski Series; 4th at Fosavatn Ski Marathon in Isafjordur, Iceland
Occupation and other interests: Industrial Hygienist at 3M, coach basketball, canoe, run, hike, cook Indian food, Minnesota Orchestra season ticket holder, read good stuff when I have time. 1979-1983: played basketball for Concordia and Texas Christian University. 1982: Toured Asia with Athletes in Action basketball team.

 

Andrew Kromroy, St. Paul, MN

Number of years skiing: 10
Most significant skiing accomplishment(s) from entire career: Top ten at Tour of Anchorage '04.
Involvement in skiing outside of Vakava: Assistant Nordic ski coach at Saint Paul Academy for the past two years.
Occupation and other interests: Project manager for a Commercial Construction Company.

Rob Edman, St Paul, MN

Number of years skiing: 21
Rob started skiing in 8th grade as a way to stay active between the fall cross country running season and the spring track season. After limited himself to recreational skiing during college, Rob returned to competitive skiing in 2009 and joined Vakava in 2012. In addition to skiing, Rob is a competitive trail runner with multiple top-10 finishes including the Birkie trail marathon, Superior 50, and Superior 100. Rob's favorite ski memory is the 2014 City of Lakes Loppet, when he had a good finish for himself but also helped teammate Mary-Beth to victory in the Womens' race.