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
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, newborn duaghter Annabelle, and husband Dale.
Sponsors - Nordica Skis and Boots, and Marker Bindings
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, newborn duaghter Annabelle, 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 following in his fathers footsteps (former AAAC
President, Cary Charlson) at an Agency within State Farm. 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 sixth year of coaching. Casey also
serves on the USSA National Board and Central USSA Board.
Sponsors - Volkl, Technica. Marker
St. Olaf College and competing at the collegiate and FIS levels
there. Casey is following in his fathers footsteps (former AAAC
President, Cary Charlson) at an Agency within State Farm. 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 sixth year of coaching. Casey also
serves on the USSA National Board and Central USSA Board.
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 and newborn Annabelle.
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 and newborn Annabelle.
Sponsors - Nordica Skis and Boots, and Marker Bindings
| Dale Zurbay Assistant Program Director |
Joe started USSA racing as a Freshman in College, at the U of
WI-River Falls where he graduated in 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 there's no snow, Joe is Foreman for Sterling
Arbor--a family owned tree placement company. Joe is an eager
coach, gaining knowledge and status as a top Central Division
coach. He is already level 200 in the US Coaches Association, and
also serves as Region One USSA board as Coaches Representative,
as well as the Central Division USSA Board. Joe is heading up our
dryland program, and leads or J321 group and the MidAm group.
He loves being active year 'round, playing amatuer baseball and
recently becoming involved in triathlons.
Sponsors: Blizzard, Technica
WI-River Falls where he graduated in 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 there's no snow, Joe is Foreman for Sterling
Arbor--a family owned tree placement company. Joe is an eager
coach, gaining knowledge and status as a top Central Division
coach. He is already level 200 in the US Coaches Association, and
also serves as Region One USSA board as Coaches Representative,
as well as the Central Division USSA Board. Joe is heading up our
dryland program, and leads or J321 group and the MidAm group.
He loves being active year 'round, playing amatuer baseball and
recently becoming involved in triathlons.
Sponsors: Blizzard, Technica
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 6th year coach and heads up our J456 racers.
Sponsors - Elan
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 6th year coach and heads up our J456 racers.
Sponsors - Elan
| Rory Filson J456 Lead Coach |
Eric competed in USSA Age, Ability, & FIS races in both Central
and Rocky Division. He's been associated with Team Afton for
many years- 7 as a racer & 10+ 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
and Rocky Division. He's been associated with Team Afton for
many years- 7 as a racer & 10+ 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 |
| Dr Dave Thorson |
| Joe Paul J321 Lead Coach |
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. He will be returning for his 3rd year of full time coaching.
Colin enjoys working with all age groups and getting to know the
new faces having recently graduated from Winona State
University where he played football on a full scholarship. He works
for State Farm Insurance, and now resides in Woodbury with his
wife Christine and they’re golden retriever Gus. We are fortunate
to have his keen technical eye back on the slopes for our skiers.
Sponsors: Head Skis and Boots, Tyrolia Bindings.
performers, winning numerous Junior Olympic medals and
competed at the US Nationals, the pinnacle of racing in the United
States. He will be returning for his 3rd year of full time coaching.
Colin enjoys working with all age groups and getting to know the
new faces having recently graduated from Winona State
University where he played football on a full scholarship. He works
for State Farm Insurance, and now resides in Woodbury with his
wife Christine and they’re golden retriever Gus. We are fortunate
to have his keen technical eye back on the slopes for our skiers.
Sponsors: Head Skis and Boots, Tyrolia Bindings.
| Colin Charlson |
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| Our Coaches are "skiing coaches" who know the importance of demonstrating proper technique |
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.
Sponsors: Hart Ski Company
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.
Sponsors: Hart Ski Company
| Ryan Nintzel (new in 2007-08) |
| Andrew Schultz |
Andrew started ski racing at a young age for the Powder Ridge
D-Team. He pursued USSA in high school, and started competing
in FIS races shortly thereafter. Andrew has successfully competed
in the Junior Olympics, and more recently while attending the
University of Minnesota Duluth, he raced in multiple USCSA
Collegiate Nationals. A recent graduate of UMD, Andrew
currently works for Ecolab, Inc. at their Research and
Development campus as a Mechanical Engineer. He is also recently
married and enjoys biking, canoeing, cross country skiing, and
spending time with his wife Sandra.
D-Team. He pursued USSA in high school, and started competing
in FIS races shortly thereafter. Andrew has successfully competed
in the Junior Olympics, and more recently while attending the
University of Minnesota Duluth, he raced in multiple USCSA
Collegiate Nationals. A recent graduate of UMD, Andrew
currently works for Ecolab, Inc. at their Research and
Development campus as a Mechanical Engineer. He is also recently
married and enjoys biking, canoeing, cross country skiing, and
spending time with his wife Sandra.
Dr. Dave started coaching in the early 1970’s as a Buddy Werner
coach at Park City. He became Head coach at Duluth Alpine Club
and UMD for 3 years, moved back to the Twin Cities to resume
his college education. He ran a local professional ski tour for
three years before returning to coaching with Scott Wilson and
the Welch Village USSA team. When he started medical school he
took a short break from coaching. His coaching resumed in 1994
with Team Afton. He has coached at the divisional and national
level as well as worked as a physician covering skiing locally,
nationally and internationally. This year he will be working
mostly with the J4, 5, and 6’s and traveling to local races, while
he continues to provide volunteer physician coverage for the US
Ski Team. As a ski racer, he raced in high school, college and he
continues to race locally. He was the Age group National
NASTAR champion in the under 30 – 40 age group
coach at Park City. He became Head coach at Duluth Alpine Club
and UMD for 3 years, moved back to the Twin Cities to resume
his college education. He ran a local professional ski tour for
three years before returning to coaching with Scott Wilson and
the Welch Village USSA team. When he started medical school he
took a short break from coaching. His coaching resumed in 1994
with Team Afton. He has coached at the divisional and national
level as well as worked as a physician covering skiing locally,
nationally and internationally. This year he will be working
mostly with the J4, 5, and 6’s and traveling to local races, while
he continues to provide volunteer physician coverage for the US
Ski Team. As a ski racer, he raced in high school, college and he
continues to race locally. He was the Age group National
NASTAR champion in the under 30 – 40 age group
| Chauncey Charlson NEW 2009-10 |
The youngest of the Charlson brigade, Chauncey joins us on a
more permanent basis this season. He will be graduating from
Winona State University in December, following a stellar career
on their football team. Chauncey skied with Team Afton since he
was 5 along with his brothers Colin and Casey-eventually
learning all their secrets and fashioning himself as the most
stylish of the Charlsons. Though modest, Chau was a top level
Mid-Am skier, a Team Central member, a US Nationals qualifier,
and a silver medalist at the J2 Junior Olympics. Oh, as a High
School skier--he won the individual State Title, too. We are
privileged to have Chauncey impart his special skills of ski racing
to our members.
more permanent basis this season. He will be graduating from
Winona State University in December, following a stellar career
on their football team. Chauncey skied with Team Afton since he
was 5 along with his brothers Colin and Casey-eventually
learning all their secrets and fashioning himself as the most
stylish of the Charlsons. Though modest, Chau was a top level
Mid-Am skier, a Team Central member, a US Nationals qualifier,
and a silver medalist at the J2 Junior Olympics. Oh, as a High
School skier--he won the individual State Title, too. We are
privileged to have Chauncey impart his special skills of ski racing
to our members.