Track & Field
Track and Field Teams
First Day of 2024 Season
March 11
Schedule
Coaches
Daniel Conners
Co-Head Coach
dconners@cadets.com
Kimberly Friede, CW3
Co-Head Coach
kfriede@cadets.com
651-454-4570 ext 1337
Doug Hoverson
Throwing Coach
dhoverson@cadets.com
651-454-4570 ext 1321
Conners Bio
Years of Experience: 5 years
High School attended: Hill Murray
College and Major: College of St. Thomas / Business
Why Saint Thomas Academy? I love the four pillars of this school and The camaraderie that exists among these young men. I am an avid supporter of Catholic education and participation in extracurricular activities.
A fun fact about yourself: Whereas I have only coached the STA Track & Field team for four years, I have been involved with this team for the past 15 years in one form or another and involved with track & field as a coach or official all my life.
Family: My wife Martha and I have six children, three boys, all who attended STA and three girls, all that attended Visitation
Purpose Statement: I want to positively effect the lives of these young men through the teaching of life lessons rooted in their participation in extracurricular activities. I believe that the lessons learned in track & field, how effort and discipline lead to success, how to win and lose graciously, and how to be a good teammate, readily transfer to the rest of your life
K Friede Bio
Years of Experience: 10 years
High School attended: MN HSED '82 (Home Schooled)
College and Major: Concordia University - BA HRM, MA Ed, Ed S Education Leadership
Why Saint Thomas Academy? I initially came to STA as a parent impressed with the school's mission. I am here long after my son's graduation because I firmly believe in the impact of supporting this mission and the power of sharing our passions through our work. I genuinely look forward to my daily interactions and am honored to be part of this extraordinary community. I am immensely proud of my responsibilities as a mentor of young men and simply cannot imagine a more rewarding experience.
A fun fact about yourself: I am a retired US Army Warrant Officer having served for over 24 years - 22.5 on active duty. I served as the coordinator for the MN National Guard Marathon Team and I also ran with the team. In 2002, I competed in the 60th year commemorative Bataan Memorial Death March in Brainerd, MN and placed first Female! This is a marathon run in full uniform over the snow and ice covered trails in Crow Wing County.
Family: Married to my best friend Roger (aka MasterChief), Daughter Erica, son Connor, three beautiful grandchildren: Bodhi, Briar, and Noah, and two lazy pups!
Purpose Statement: As a coach, I see it as my purpose to serve the student athlete. I hope to infuse all student athletes with a passion to be the best version of self they can be through commitment to self, team, and sport. Further, it is my hope that (beyond the growth within and enjoyment of their sport) they will benefit from the myriad of life lessons provided by participation. Lastly, that they will experience the positive and powerful impact of sports on their lives as young adults that lasts well into their future.
Hoverson Bio
Years of Experience: 35 years
High School attended: Richfield High School
College and Major: University of Minnesota: Economics & History
Why Saint Thomas Academy? Originally, it was the only job I could land that summer. But I ended up finding a calling and a community where I could make a difference and follow my diverse interests and passions.
A fun fact about yourself: I've appeared on two History Channel documentaries.
Family: Spouse: Kerry; Children: Claire (Vis '13); Alex (STA '17)
Eric Fotsch '92
Vault Coach
efotsch@cadets.com
651-231-1442
Aaron Sidner
Sprints Coach
Mike Rogalski
High Jump Coach
Fotsch Bio
Years of Experience: 28 years
High School attended: Saint Thomas Academy
College and Major: Bachelor's Degree DePauw University, Secondary Education and Communication Master's Degree, River Falls Elementary Education
Why Saint Thomas Academy? As an alum, I love St. Thomas Academy, it's mission and vision, it's community, athletes and the men we build.
A fun fact about yourself: Besides sports, I love outdoor activities and spend most of my summer days on my boat on the St. Croix River.
Family: Partner Lindsay 3 Daughters Amelia, Josephine, Charlotte
Sidner Bio
Years of Experience: 35 years
High School attended: Faith Academy
College and Major: UArizona B.S. Health Science, OregonST M.S./PhD (abd) Human Performance
Why Saint Thomas Academy? Commitment to excellence
A fun fact about yourself: Could dunk as a sophomore
Family: 4 children and 10 grandchildren
Rogalski Bio
Years of Experience: 11 years
High School attended: Marshall High School
College and Major: University of Minnesota - BS Computer Science
Why Saint Thomas Academy? Excellence is expected in every aspect of the school from the administration, teachers, coaches, and students.
A fun fact about yourself: 1986 MN State Class AA Track and Field Long Jump Champion
Family: Wife Shari and I have two boys, Mark and Todd.
Mike Vukovich
V Jump Coach
Tom Thuente
Hurdles Coach
Andrew Hayden
Middle Distance Asst Coach
Vukovich Bio
Years of Experience: 35 years
High School attended: Maine South High School
College and Major: U of MN, Physiology and Computer Science
Why Saint Thomas Academy? STA is an incredible school supporting the development of character, integrity, discipline, camaraderie, and leadership and I am happy to help nurture those values
A fun fact about yourself: Jumped 7’ in high school and could not dunk… jumped 7’-5” in college and could not dance.
Family: My wife Kim and I have 3 wonderful kids... Danika (Vis ’19), MIla (Vis ’22), and Marko (STA ’24).
Thuente Bio
Years of Experience: 5 years
High School attended: Saint Thomas Academy
College and Major: University of Wisconsin River Falls. Majoring in Marketing Communications
Why Saint Thomas Academy? I love the dedication to improvement and the expectation of success that the Cadets bring to practice and competitions every day.
A fun fact about yourself: love to hunt and fish. Just being outdoors!
Family: Married to My wife Nicole and together we have 2 boys. Jacob and Logan.
Hayden Bio
Years of Experience: 9 years
High School attended: Cordova High School
College and Major: Christian Brothers University - B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Minor in Mathematics
Why Saint Thomas Academy? Top Three Reasons for choosing STA:
1. Faith Association
2. Inviting Faculty, Students, Coaches, and Families
3. The ability to pursue excellence with the hope to inspire the Cadets in their own pursuits of excellence of character in sport as well as life.
A fun fact about yourself: I once held my breath for 5 minutes.
Family: Married to My wife Nicole and together we have 2 boys. Jacob (2) and Logan (5 months)
Nick Honan
Sprints Assistant
nhonan@cadets.com
Paul King
Long Distance Asst
Tony Kinzley
Long Distance Coach
tkinzley@cadets.com
651-454-4570 ext 1343
King Bio
Years of Experience: 5 years
High School attended: White Bear Mariner
College and Major: University of St. Thomas - B.A. Marketing
Why Saint Thomas Academy? I am so impressed with the quality, character and dedication of all the young men/athletes I get to work with at STA. It is a pleasure to watch them grow and improve from year to year.
A fun fact about yourself: I was NCAA Div III National Champion in the steeplechase in college.
Family: Married to Maggie, 4 children 5 grandchildren
Kinzley Bio
Years of Experience: 21 years
High School attended: McCook Central High School (SD)
College and Major: Saint John's University (MN) Natural Science
Why Saint Thomas Academy? I am grateful to have been hired by STA in the fall of 1999 and grateful that a coaching position was available. I have continued to teach and coach at STA because it is a joy to get to work with intelligent, hard working, and resilient young men.
A fun fact about yourself: I enjoy the outdoors and traveling. I love running, skiing, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and camping alone or with my family.
Family: Wife, Charlotte, sons Matthew and Padon and daughter Visitation
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