TEAM Afton - Coaches
Head coach and director of TEAM Afton-a USSA program.
Tony co-directs the Olin/LaCasse Ski racing School at Mt.
Hood, Oregon during the summer months and at Copper
Mountain, CO in November. He is an International certified
coach and PSIA certified. An accomplished racer himself,
Tony skied internationally in NORAM's and Europa Cup. As
a collegian, while skiing for St. Olaf College, he was the
national USCSA slalom champion in 1987. A father of two,
Tony has gained a reputation as a caring, insightful and
innovative coach. He has been racing and coaching for over
25 years and has experience at and with all levels. He has
helped produce numerous Junior Olympic Champions and
U.S. Ski Team Members while remaining attentive to the
needs of skiers of all abilities.
Sponsors - Rossignol Skis, Boots, and Bindings, Bieffe
helmets
Tony co-directs the Olin/LaCasse Ski racing School at Mt.
Hood, Oregon during the summer months and at Copper
Mountain, CO in November. He is an International certified
coach and PSIA certified. An accomplished racer himself,
Tony skied internationally in NORAM's and Europa Cup. As
a collegian, while skiing for St. Olaf College, he was the
national USCSA slalom champion in 1987. A father of two,
Tony has gained a reputation as a caring, insightful and
innovative coach. He has been racing and coaching for over
25 years and has experience at and with all levels. He has
helped produce numerous Junior Olympic Champions and
U.S. Ski Team Members while remaining attentive to the
needs of skiers of all abilities.
Sponsors - Rossignol Skis, Boots, and Bindings, Bieffe
helmets
| Tony Olin Head Coach and Director |
Sarah competed in USSA age, ability, and FIS races both in
and out of the Central division. She raced for both St. Olaf
College and the University of Minnesota competing in USCSA
Nationals. Sarah is a USSA Level 200 certified coach. She has
over 10 years of coaching experience and is a favorite with
the kids. When she is off hill she spends time traveling,
waterskiing, and biking with her son William and husband Dale.
Sponsors - Nordica Skis and Boots, and Marker Bindings
and out of the Central division. She raced for both St. Olaf
College and the University of Minnesota competing in USCSA
Nationals. Sarah is a USSA Level 200 certified coach. She has
over 10 years of coaching experience and is a favorite with
the kids. When she is off hill she spends time traveling,
waterskiing, and biking with her son William and husband Dale.
Sponsors - Nordica Skis and Boots, and Marker Bindings
| Sarah Miskella Zurbay |
Casey skied with Team Afton for seven years prior to
attending St. Olaf College and competing at the collegiate
and FIS levels there. Casey is working alongside his father
(former AAAC President, Cary Charlson) at State Farm
Insurance and Financial Services in Oakdale, MN. Casey is
an experienced Junior Olympic, US College Nationals, and
US Nationals competitor, and will be bringing his
experiences back to his home team for this, his fourth year
of full-time coaching.
Sponsors - Volkl, Technica. Marker
attending St. Olaf College and competing at the collegiate
and FIS levels there. Casey is working alongside his father
(former AAAC President, Cary Charlson) at State Farm
Insurance and Financial Services in Oakdale, MN. Casey is
an experienced Junior Olympic, US College Nationals, and
US Nationals competitor, and will be bringing his
experiences back to his home team for this, his fourth year
of full-time coaching.
Sponsors - Volkl, Technica. Marker
| Casey Charlson |
Dale competed in USSA ability and FIS races as a junior and
continues to race as a top ranked Masters racer. He raced
collegiately at Montana State University and the University of
Minnesota competing in USCSA Nationals. Dale is a USSA
Level 200 certified coach and has 15 years of coaching
experience at the Ability and FIS level. He has coached for
Team Afton for 10 years. Dale is a sales manager for a
technology company and spends his time off the hill on trying
to keep up with his wife Sarah and son William.
Sponsors - Nordica Skis and Boots, and Marker Bindings
continues to race as a top ranked Masters racer. He raced
collegiately at Montana State University and the University of
Minnesota competing in USCSA Nationals. Dale is a USSA
Level 200 certified coach and has 15 years of coaching
experience at the Ability and FIS level. He has coached for
Team Afton for 10 years. Dale is a sales manager for a
technology company and spends his time off the hill on trying
to keep up with his wife Sarah and son William.
Sponsors - Nordica Skis and Boots, and Marker Bindings
| Dale Zurbay |
Joe started USSA racing as a Freshman in College, at the U of
WI-River Falls where he will graduate December 2007. He
raced high school for Eden Prairie. Though a late comer to
USSA, Joe has thrown himself into the sport and thrived,
quickly becoming a regular Central MidAm fixture, and racing
internationally in the US and Canada. When not in school or
on the slopes, Joe is Foreman for Sterling Arbor--a family
owned tree placement company. He is an eager 2nd year
coach after apprenticing under Program Director, Tony Olin.
He is already level 200 in the US Coaches Association. Joe is
heading up our dryland program, and will work with both the
J456 group and the MidAm group.
He loves being active year 'round, playing amatuer baseball
and recently becoming involved in triathlons.
WI-River Falls where he will graduate December 2007. He
raced high school for Eden Prairie. Though a late comer to
USSA, Joe has thrown himself into the sport and thrived,
quickly becoming a regular Central MidAm fixture, and racing
internationally in the US and Canada. When not in school or
on the slopes, Joe is Foreman for Sterling Arbor--a family
owned tree placement company. He is an eager 2nd year
coach after apprenticing under Program Director, Tony Olin.
He is already level 200 in the US Coaches Association. Joe is
heading up our dryland program, and will work with both the
J456 group and the MidAm group.
He loves being active year 'round, playing amatuer baseball
and recently becoming involved in triathlons.
Rory was a Team Afton highlight as a junior. A serious Junior
Olympic podium contender, Rory amassed volumes of
experience traveling the continent with then coach, Tony
Olin. Her exceptional eye for technical perfection always
challenges kids to reach a little deeper, run after run. Rory is
a recent graduate of St. Thomas University where she
majored in communications. Rory is a 3rd year coach.
Sponsors - Salomon
Olympic podium contender, Rory amassed volumes of
experience traveling the continent with then coach, Tony
Olin. Her exceptional eye for technical perfection always
challenges kids to reach a little deeper, run after run. Rory is
a recent graduate of St. Thomas University where she
majored in communications. Rory is a 3rd year coach.
Sponsors - Salomon
| Rory Filson |
Eric competed in USSA Age, Ability, & FIS races in both
Central and Rocky Division. He's been associated with Team
Afton for 16 years- 7 as a racer & 9 as a level 100 Certified
Coach. In 1989, he was the leader of the Woodbury High
School ski team that won the State Championship. When not
at Afton, Eric spends most of his time traveling & working for
3M-SPD. Eric and his wife Red, are proud new parents of
another future star of Team Afton, Bennett.
Sponsors - Nordica Skis and Boots
Central and Rocky Division. He's been associated with Team
Afton for 16 years- 7 as a racer & 9 as a level 100 Certified
Coach. In 1989, he was the leader of the Woodbury High
School ski team that won the State Championship. When not
at Afton, Eric spends most of his time traveling & working for
3M-SPD. Eric and his wife Red, are proud new parents of
another future star of Team Afton, Bennett.
Sponsors - Nordica Skis and Boots
| Eric LeVander |
Additional Associate Coaches:
Chauncey Charlson
Dr Dave Thorson
Chauncey Charlson
Dr Dave Thorson
| Joe Paul Sponsored by: Blizzardo |
Colin grew up Team Afton. He was one of the team's top all
time performers, winning numerous Junior Olympic medals
and competed at the US Nationals, the pinnacle of racing in
the United States. Colin returns to a more regular schedule of
coaching having recently graduated from Winona State
University where he played football on a full scholarship. He
works for YellowBook in Rochester. We are fortunate to have
his keen technical eye back on the slopes for our skiers.
time performers, winning numerous Junior Olympic medals
and competed at the US Nationals, the pinnacle of racing in
the United States. Colin returns to a more regular schedule of
coaching having recently graduated from Winona State
University where he played football on a full scholarship. He
works for YellowBook in Rochester. We are fortunate to have
his keen technical eye back on the slopes for our skiers.
| Colin Charlson |
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| Our Coaches are "skiing coaches" who know the importance of demonstrating proper technique |
Ali grew up in Utah racing for the former Waterford Ski
Team, a small team built from the ground up by her late
father, Dean Guinn. As her father’s right hand, Ali was
integral to the growth of a young team of beginner
racers which blossomed into a respectful organization
developing athletes competing on the international
circuit. Ali was one of the top racers in the
Intermountain division; competing on the Intermountain
F.I.S. team and Junior Olympic team prior to racing for
St. Olaf College. Some of Ali’s accomplishments include
2002 Western FIS Tech Series Overall Champion, captain
of the St. Olaf Ski Team and Second Team All American in
2004 at the USCSA National Championships. We are
excited to have Ali join our staff and look forward to her
energizing our younger aspiring skiers.
Team, a small team built from the ground up by her late
father, Dean Guinn. As her father’s right hand, Ali was
integral to the growth of a young team of beginner
racers which blossomed into a respectful organization
developing athletes competing on the international
circuit. Ali was one of the top racers in the
Intermountain division; competing on the Intermountain
F.I.S. team and Junior Olympic team prior to racing for
St. Olaf College. Some of Ali’s accomplishments include
2002 Western FIS Tech Series Overall Champion, captain
of the St. Olaf Ski Team and Second Team All American in
2004 at the USCSA National Championships. We are
excited to have Ali join our staff and look forward to her
energizing our younger aspiring skiers.
| Ali Guinn (new in 2007-08) |
Ryan also grew up Team Afton and was a top MidAm
competitor. A recent graduate of the Midwest Collegiate
skiracing powerhouse Saint Olaf College, Ryan lead the
Ole's as captain to numerous National Championship
appearences. When off the skis, Ryan enjoys biking and
wakeboarding. Ryan works for the reinsurer firm, Guy
Carpenter. We are excited to have Ryan rejoining forces
with Team Afton.
competitor. A recent graduate of the Midwest Collegiate
skiracing powerhouse Saint Olaf College, Ryan lead the
Ole's as captain to numerous National Championship
appearences. When off the skis, Ryan enjoys biking and
wakeboarding. Ryan works for the reinsurer firm, Guy
Carpenter. We are excited to have Ryan rejoining forces
with Team Afton.
| Ryan Nintzel (new in 2007-08) |
Sean skied with Team Afton 6 years prior to attending the
University of St. Thomas and competing in the USCSA circuit.
Sean has competed in age, ability, FIS, and is a 5-time Junior
Olympic athlete. Following his undergraduate, Sean
completed his MBA in international business and
international finance through an American sponsored
program in Tianjin, China where he currently resides. Sean
has made it an annual priority to rejoin Team Afton and
facilitate the growth and development of dedicated athletes.
University of St. Thomas and competing in the USCSA circuit.
Sean has competed in age, ability, FIS, and is a 5-time Junior
Olympic athlete. Following his undergraduate, Sean
completed his MBA in international business and
international finance through an American sponsored
program in Tianjin, China where he currently resides. Sean
has made it an annual priority to rejoin Team Afton and
facilitate the growth and development of dedicated athletes.
| Sean Filson |
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