We welcome parent volunteers to assist the coaches at practices.
Wildcat alumni Assistant Coaches
Over the years we have had many Wildcats who have gone on to high school and college. Many come back during their off seasons when they are allowed to run with the Wildcats or when they are home from college. There are too many Wildcat alumni to list that frequently drop in to run and help out.
We thank them for their past and ongoing assistance.
Over the years we have had many Wildcats who have gone on to high school and college. Many come back during their off seasons when they are allowed to run with the Wildcats or when they are home from college. There are too many Wildcat alumni to list that frequently drop in to run and help out.
We thank them for their past and ongoing assistance.
LIZ BAUMGARDTRunning has been a real journey for me. I started running in the summer of 2007 after many years of mountain biking. I just wanted a change. My first race was the July 4th Firecracker. It was hot, challenging, and I did not finish well in the race, but I enjoyed it! I. Was. Hooked! I started running more and found I really liked long distance the best. Some of the best memories I have are from conversations had along the way while going a long way. Running has brought me my closest friends, most who are coaches and parents of children we run with.
I started running with the Wildcats in spring 2014. I heard in a Rockford Road Runner meeting that they needed more volunteers and thought, I like to run with pretty much everyone, why not kids too! I really look forward to practices and love being out on the trails. If you want your children clean when they come back from the woods, they should not run too close to me. Head Coach Liz always finds the next puddle of mud to be worthy of her footprints and encourages the children to be children and have fun. As a role model she inspires and makes running fun for all who follow her on the trails. |
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MIKE ELLERBROEKMike began his running career in 6th grade as a 100 meter runner, after some inner reflection he was fairly certain he was a terrible runner. He would go on to spend the next several years, the rest of middle school and much of high school, finding his race(s). Through trial and error and perseverance he would become a pretty good 800 and 1600 meter runner. Beyond high school and up until age 22 he had never run further than 3 miles, it took a persistent and angry dog, all be it small chasing him to that distance before the dog gave in.
Finding running to be a bit of a chore he spent several years, by his own admission being incredibly lazy. Finally during graduate school, a friend asked him to go for a slow 3 mile run with him….he not only covered the 3 miles easily but along the way found the spirituality of running discovering that it could be both relaxing and fun! Soon after discovering that running was fun he also met and married, she too was a runner. They would run marathons and half marathons and while training for these in and around Rock Cut State Park, he would fall in love with trail running. A few years ago the running couple, now expecting their second child, had their first a daughter Lucy, at this time Mike wanted to get involved with something meaningful. Mike found that meaningful something in the Wildcats and wants to pass on to Lucy and her soon to be sister as well that running can be relaxing, or challenging, or whatever you want to make of it, at whatever distance or speed you want to go. But first and foremost it should always be fun! Those are lessons he says he wished he had learned at a much younger age. For the past several years he has been teaching the lessons he missed to those who are a much younger age. Running with this Coach Mike is always an adventure, a challenge, and inspiring but most of all FUN! |
MIKE MAPESMike did not begin running until 1980. Since then he has logged over 55,000 miles. He has two children that have run with the team. Mike began volunteering as one of our running parents in 1997 and served as an assistant coach for three years before becoming head coach from 2001-2015, he continues to be an assistant coach. He served as race director for the State Street Mile for four years and is active at many local running events, he has served as the President of Rockford Road Runners and currently assists the running club as their web site administer. This is his 22nd year of taking Wildcat children for a run.
* USA Track and Field Level One Certified Coach * 1993 Rockford Road Runners - Male Runner of The Year * Completed-Lake County Marathon, Milwaukee LakeFront Marathon, Grandma's Marathon Duluth MN, Rockford Marathon and the 100th Running of the Boston Marathon * Personal records - 4:38 mile, 16:04 5k, 33:47 10k, 2hr.57min marathon |
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JOHN KUNDEJohn began running with the Wildcats in September of 2001. A Rockford Road Runner who answered our call to the running community to help promote and teach the sport of running to children. He as run thousands of miles over years helping our Wildcats become better runners. He was chosen as Rockford Road Runner of the Year in 2004. We ask for a resume from our coaches so you can get to know them. The following is John's response to our request. It shows his sense of humor and dedication to the sport of running and to the Wildcats. John served as a Co-Head Coach from 2008-2015, this will be Johns 17th year as a coach with the Wildcats. " Ugh. Writing a running resume. I could probably embellish without much chance of fact checking, liking saying I won the Sauk City Cow Chip Classic 5K run in 1985. The funny thing is I really did run in that race and finished it in around 17:50, but I didn't even place in my age group. I was bummed, because they gave trophies with little cow chips on them. Ah, well, here is the mixed bag of running I've done. Never won a race, but always finished. In 4th grade ran around the school enough times during lunch break to run 60 miles. (Still have the trophy) Ran high school track and cross country in High School at McFarland, Wisconsin. Lettered three times. Graduated in 1983.
Started running road races in summers of 1985 to get back in shape. Dry heaved my way to many good times and lots of t-shirts. Ran on and off for many years, but with little conviction. On a lark, in March of 2000, a friend from high school who ran cross country with me asked about running a marathon. Started training, ran road races in Rockford area and finished my first marathon, the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon on October 8th, 2000 in 3:46:31. Ran four more marathons since, including the Berlin, Germany marathon in 2004. Compete in Rockford Road Runners Circuit races and have won my age group 3 of the last 4 years and finished 2nd once. Started with Wildcats on September 24, 2001 as a volunteer. (I checked my running log for this one, my memory's not THAT good.)Running with children and watching them progress, no matter what their level, is more rewarding than finishing a marathon will ever be. Completing a marathon means I got one person across the finish line. Helping train 50 children means I contributed to getting 50 bodies across the finish line. And on to bigger things." |
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Christina EmmertI started running in 2014 and ran mostly by myself until I started running with the Runner's Image group in 2018 and started the Spring training program in 2019. I realized it's a little more fun to run with other people who have a lot of the same goals and I made a lot of great friends along the way. I soon joined the Rockford Road Runners to be able to participate in the circuit and learned about the Wildcats when I ran in the adult heat at the Fall Wildcats meet.
At one of our Road Runners meetings it was mentioned that they needed more adults to help out to keep the program going. It made me sad to think that kids might not have this opportunity if some more members didn't step up and help out. The last two seasons have been a blast helping out and meeting our local kids. It has also been a great place for my canine running buddy Chester to meet new kids, he loves the attention! I look forward to seeing the kids return and hope to inspire new Runners as well! |
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CAROL WILSONCarol began running to stay in shape over thirty years ago. This will be her 22nd year as an assistant Wildcat Coach. She is a competitive age group runner and has completed a number of marathons. In High School Carol played volleyball, basketball and softball, college sports included volleyball, fencing, synchronized swimming and softball. She also spent five years bike racing placing second in the North Carolina state meet, while she was in graduate school. Carol has taught and continues to teach Physical Education in several area schools. She also works at Runner's Image, Rock Cut as the cross country ski instructor, and for her trainer. She has been active in sports for over thirty years in a wide variety of places and at many levels. She has assisted as a volunteer and running parent since the team started in 1997. Carol has two children who have run with the Wildcats, Corey for 6 years and Joshua for 7 years. Both are young adults who continue to run many years after their last Wildcat runs. In her spare time when she is not helping us she runs, strength trains, does triathlons, sings and plays bells in her church
* Cub Scout den leader * Girl Scout leader * WSI instructor/trainer for Red Cross * College Coaching - Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field * High School Coaching - Basketball, Softball, Soccer, Volleyball, Jr. High Track, Jr. High Cross Country * Marathons - Milwaukee Lakefront, Grandma's and the 100th Boston Marathon, Stone Bridge Marathon, Grand Island Marathon |
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CANDACE W.I was never a runner. My journey to the love of running started in 2002 when I discovered St. Jude Children’s Hospital runs. The St Jude runs are an annual event in the Peoria area. My very good friend Laura Valentine was a St. Jude patient had inspired me to run. Sadly Laura lost her battle with cancer at the age of 16 and in her memory I ran my first St Jude Run from St. Louis, MO to Peoria, IL. Since then I have participated over 11 St Jude Runs (170 miles in 34hrs each year), raising over $15,000 for the Children’s Hospital. Little did I know that Laura’s inspiration and push to get me to run my first St. Jude run would open a portal to a new life, new friends, a second family, community, and a love for running. I now run marathons, half marathons, trail races, and other races throughout the US. I don’t really have much else to say and I wouldn’t call this much of a running resume. I am not a competitive runner. I am not a fast runner. I just love to have fun and run.
The best part about Wildcat’s is being silly and exploring with the kids. It’s fun listening to the kids talk and share a little bit about their day and lives. I mostly enjoy watching the kids just be happy, challenge themselves, see hard work and practice pays off, be part of a team, and do something bigger than themselves. You know what is crazy? As an adult I get to give back and I hope transfer a little bit of wisdom along the way too. It was after a practice a couple of years ago when Coach Mike Mapes (the head guy) went to leave and shouted back to all us coaches, “I’m out of here and thank you!” He put his hands up in the air, which were holding multiple clipboards of sign-in rosters, and with a smile on his face said, “We must be insane to take 100+ kids out running in the woods!!” Everyone laughed. But you know what I was thinking??? It is a GOOD type of insane. We must be doing something right! Because each week parents come up to say thank you. The kids keep coming back with smiles on their faces. This little running community has endured for over 25+ years. We have given countless number of scholarships for college and as adults prior Wildcats come back to say how impactful being a part of Wildcats was for them as a kid. I get in my car after every practice, and I think to myself I am so incredibly lucky to do this coaching thing. I am extremely blessed for all of the really great coaches I get to run with, all of the kids, and Wildcat parents. The coaches and kids have made me such a better runner, a better coach, and I hope a better person too. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” I can confidently say volunteering has always given me more back than I have ever deserved. There is no other feeling like helping a young person further develop their natural persistence, determination, discipline, dedication, resiliency, work ethic, impact to community, leadership skills, heart, connection with, and respect for others not only in practice and competition but most importantly in life. It has been the greatest honor to coach and watch these kids grow and develop into the amazing adults over the years. It’s with an even deeper level of appreciation that a parent would trust us with the most precious people in their lives….. their kids. I look forward to as many more days, months, or years I am afforded to continue coaching and giving back. Candace moved to Rockford several years ago and one of the first things she did was contact us as she wanted to volunteer for something in the community and help make a difference. She has made a huge difference in the lives of many children; she is a great role model for our young runners. She is currently also in the Army and continues to actively serve in part-time in the military we often half to share her with them as she is away from time to time meeting those obligations. Candace has coaching certificates through IHSA. |
Tonya ThayerTonya Thayer started as a Wildcats Coach in 2022. Tonya ran track and cross country for the Freeport Pretzels in high school and hasn’t stopped running since. She has competed in a number of marathons and triathlons over the past 20 years. Tonya loves the excitement and joy the young runners bring to each practice. She hopes they will develop a lifetime love for running as well.
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Gardiner RynneGardiner is dad to three former wildcats and running with number four. He coached cross country at Christian Life HS. He runs too and has trained for and participated in many local races over the years. Running is a great way for kids to build strength, endurance and character.
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James Wright
I was raised in a family that never ran. We often looked at runners and wondered why in the world someone would ever do that for “FUN.” Fast forward to just after my 30th birthday, and I was almost 300lb. I decided to take on running, and over the course of the next six months, I lost over 100 lbs. I then signed up for my first ever 5K and surprisingly got first overall.
After the 5K, why not a 10K? Then why not a half Marathon? Before I knew it, I was running 60+ miles a week, training for ultra marathons. After running a 100-mile race, I wanted to give back to the community. My three kids were getting to the age where they could do some races. So, we signed up for the Wildcats and have been running ever since. Now my oldest is running half marathon distances, and all three are running with the wildcats every week. I was tapped to organize the Wildcat uniforms for races and cross-country meets. So, if you come to a wildcats race, I am the face you are looking for to pick up the wildcats uniform. Now I am a coach, generally running with the group 4 runners. I am also the Race director for both the Arny Johnson Classic 5k and 10 Mile and for the Bald Unyealding Twilight Trail Triel 12 Hour race. |
Coach James
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Amy Miner
I love running for the fun of it and I enjoy coaching wildcats to teach the joy of running to Rockford area kids. My favorite part of the season is when we run trails and get out in nature. I have two sons who are Wildcats, which is how I first got started coaching. I enjoy this group because it feels so inclusive and all speeds and experience levels are welcome. I look forward to greeting Group 2 this April!
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Jake Loescher
While Jake's been told he looks like a runner more times than he’s actually run, being active outdoors is his happy place. In his youth, Jake ran track and played golf, soccer, basketball, and baseball. As an adult, Jake and his family spend many weeks each summer hiking in various state and national locations, along with chasing their kids around in the yard or on bikes. Jake gets so much energy from interacting with his kids and others in general, and found the Wildcats running club because he and his wife, Mackenzie, wanted an active outlet for their son Truman. Truman’s desire to race, even from a very early age, motivates Jake to be involved as a parent. Jake tries to balance a competitive approach to running activities along with his sense of humor and excitable attitude. He is thrilled to embark on the journey as a Wildcats coach! |
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DENNIS PAYNEDennis started running with the Wildcats in the spring of 2013 after having just taken up running in the fall of 2012. He became involved with the Wildcats when his son Sam started running in the spring of 2011. He would help out wherever possible, but did not run. He made sure to let coach Mike know when our son started running that he was coming from non running parents, little did he know that was going to change. Dennis loved seeing how Wildcats was helping his son hone his running skills. He had guessed and wished that he could be a bigger part in that process. Dennis has said his progress in running couldn't keep up with his son's, he loved his time at each practice running with other Wildcats and watching them grow.” Dennis dedicated 3 years as an assistant coach .
Dennis passed away in November of 2015 we are grateful for his dedication and spirit that he brought to the Wildcats. His ever present smile, patience, and encouragement to every child that ran will forever be remembered by both the children he ran with and the coaches and parents who admired him. |
Wildcat Coaches that assist often when needed:
The Wildcats would like to thank all Coaches that assist throughout the year. Our little running family would not be able to take kids for runs without the time and effort given by these volunteers. THANK YOU!!!
