BRAINERD — It’s a new era for the Brainerd Nordic ski programs.
After Mary Claire Ryan and Chris Hanson served as the head coaches for 14 years, Tessa Capelle was named the programs’ new head coach.
“After Mary Claire Ryan and Chris Hanson retired, I was encouraged to apply,” Capelle said. “I was excited when I was offered the job after the interview. I interviewed with former coaches and hired my staff. I worked with the team captains to plan a summer camping trip for team building activities.”
Capelle has been a physical therapist for 23 years and works for the Public Education Cooperative. She started coaching skis at the junior high level for three years. She focused on the strength and conditioning aspects of the programs. Last season she was a college assistant. She also has children in the program.
Brainerd Nordic Ski’s new coach Tessa Capelle walks a trail at the Northland Arboretum on Monday, July 8, 2024.
Steve Kohls/Brainerd Dispatch
“I’ve been involved in the program as a parent first and I’ve really come to appreciate the Nordic ski community,” Capelle said. “What they’ve done for all the kids and their families is just an amazing experience.”
Hanson was named Minnesota State High School Nordic Ski Coaches Association Coach of the Year after last season. Ryan received the same honor a few years earlier.
Last season, the boys team finished fourth at state, highlighted by Lance Hastings and Taite Knapp winning the sprint relay state title. The girls team placed ninth with Annelise Barid earning All-State.
Capelle hopes to build on the success of Hanson and Ryan.
“I look up to those two as people and as coaches,” Capelle said. “They’re great people and I think they’ve brought a really positive culture to the Nordic ski community. They’ve made sure people were involved and everyone was coached and felt part of the team. I want to continue that tradition. I’ve really watched and observed a lot with my kids in the program and watched how they coached together. Now I’m going to do that myself.”
Eric Storbakken, Mike Knapp and Ethan Youso will be Capelle’s assistants. She still needs to hire one part-time assistant coach for the season.
According to Jack Freeman, Brainerd’s activities director, the pool of applicants for the cross-country skiing job is large.
“It speaks for itself what Mary Claire and Chris have built here and the legacy that they have left behind,” Freeman said. “They have created a program with a lot of people who are engaged and interested in this job. Tessa was really able to articulate a vision that I think will be a great bridge from where we have been to where we want to go with this program. I look forward to the organization that she brings to the job, the relationships that she is going to prioritize and the bright future that the program has with her as the leader.”
Freeman added that only good things were said about Capelle during the search process.
“It was clear to our interview panel that she has the skills,” Freeman said. “There are so many moving parts at Nordic and she has the organizational skills to lead a team and manage all the day-to-day tasks.”
Capelle acknowledged that Nordic skiing is declining across the state. Brainerd appears to be an exception.
“Our numbers have been consistent, even during COVID,” Capelle said. “I want to continue to work on maintaining and growing the program. We have a really strong boys and girls team again. I think we’re going to have a really successful season. It’s fun to be competitive. It’s fun to go out there and get some wins. The biggest draw for me to the program is just the camaraderie and the friendships that these kids form. Being a part of that is the biggest reason I wanted the job.”
CONRAD ENGSTROM can be reached at 218-855-5861 or [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/the_rad34.
Started at Dispatch in June 2019.
