SOGO Coaches
We take pride in our program and the fantastic team that help us put the whole thing together. Without the help of our coaches, we simply would not be able to provide fun and safe adventures for our SOGO Adventure Running kids. Thank you coaches!
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Marcus Mueller,
Head Coach, Level 1 and 2 Most commonly found in the foothills of Alberta, either on motorbike, longboard, or skis, Marcus Mueller is an avid outdoorsman and adventurer. Happiest when out in the woods of the rolling hills and mountains, he's often said his greatest fear is having to work a desk job. Luckily enough he has managed to live and work a life outdoors, in professions that allow him to share his love of the natural world with others. A ski jumper (yes, as in flying through the air 10, 20, 30 meters high!) and a track cyclist in his youth, Marcus has been instilled with an active lifestyle that he now carries to his early adulthood. First as an adventure runner with SOGO himself, Marcus has since become an essential part of the SOGO coaching team for many seasons now, helping with almost all levels of our program from Level 1 to 2 and even occasionally our Squirts. His experience coaching and training with all levels of SOGO has given him a unique perspective when it comes to passing on what he's learned. |
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Chandra Kuran,
Program Coordinator, Squirts Chandra started orienteering when she was just 3 years old, following in the footsteps of her Dad, creating wonderful memories of running through forests, fields and even a swamp looking for those iconic orange and white flags. These days, Chandra can still be found exploring the wilder areas of Kananaskis Country, the Bow Valley and Calgary areas with her own two young children, husband and beagle. Chandra is also a local teacher with degrees in both History and Education, as well as a certified yoga teacher with 200 hours and certificates for YogaKids. Chandra has been guiding kids in their exploration of nature and self for the better part of the past two decades, while also teaching horseback riding, canoeing, backcountry hiking, physical education, art and drama. For Chandra, the best part of SOGO Adventure Running is the awesome community of coaches and families who love being outdoors! As our Squirts founder and Program Manager, the best part will always be "seeing the excitement of our youngest runners when they start to recognize landmarks and find orienteering flags by using their own observations". |
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Braxton Smith,
Head Coach, Squirts Braxton joined our SOGO team in the fall of 2020 impressing us with his fun and easy-going personality coaching our squirts kids and later our Level 1's. Beyond SOGO, Braxton enjoys the outdoors, hiking and mountain biking as much as possible. Growing up with a background that emphasized sport, he played basketball and volleyball, winning a high school provincial championship in 2019. Braxton aims to pass on his love for sport, working as a mountain bike instructor in the summer months, while bringing this same passion to the sport of orienteering with SOGO. He very much appreciates getting kids active in the outdoors, while learning useful skills such as map reading, running and navigating the woods and wild areas of our cities. Currently studying education at the University of Lethbridge, Braxton hopes to one day apply his skills and energy to the formal education system and become a teacher! |
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Shelley Brolsma,
Head Coach, Cochrane Shelley has now been with our SOGO for many seasons now and we are happy to have her on our team! Shelley has been in the fitness industry as a coach and personal trainer for 30 years. She also has a background as a group fitness instructor, water safety instructor and as a youth coach. Shelley comes to SOGO with a background in team-based youth training and coaching dry-land training. Beyond her time spent coaching, Shelley's passion is for the outdoors and living through nature, which she embodies through her hobbies of cycle touring, painting, climbing, hiking, swimming, event planing, singing and, of course, adventure running! |
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Damian Konotopetz,
Head Coach, Level 3 Damian has been coaching with SOGO Level 3 since 2017 and most recently has started coaching Level 2 as well. He enjoys sharing his passion for orienteering and running with the younger generation. Originally from Winnipeg, he came to Calgary to short track speed skate, eventually focussing on orienteering full time. Damian is a member of Orienteering Canada’s National Team and has competed internationally since 2008. Aside from orienteering he enjoys hiking, fishing, cycling and cross country skiing. Damian graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Calgary. |
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Jan Erik Naess,
Head Coach, Bridge Program Jan Erik joined our SOGO team in Fall 2019, spearheading our Bridge program for our high performance athletes. Jan Erik has developed this program to provide our SOGO athletes a new opportunity to bridge from our recreation outdoor programs, into competitive and elite orienteering competitions. Jan's favourite aspect of SOGO is the opportunity to work with enthusiastic Junior-level orienteers, while being part of their growth as aspiring athletes. Our local Calgary Orienteering Club has been essential in supporting this new and exciting program. Outside of being a coach and national team member, Jan Erik is also a student-athlete and entrepreneur, studying Geomatics Engineering at the University of Calgary. Amid his studies, Jan is a team member of the Varsity Cross Country team, competing at Western Canadians competing in national competitions. Jan Erik is also avidly involved with the Haskayne Consulting Club where he is Director of Talent and a Project Manager for a team developing Artificial Intelligence for Financial Behavior Analytics. Jan Eric's favourite park to run is Nose Hill, where the majority of SOGO Bridge trainings are hosted. Orienteering aside, Jan Erik enjoys cross country skiing, with the goal of competing in his first Olympic Distance triathlon this coming summer. |
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Bridie Pryce,
Head Coach, SOGO Access Bridie has grown up with our Orienteering Calgary Junior program and has now taken on the role of coaching and teaching youth. She started as one of our SOGO Youth Volunteer Coaches, before taking on the role of our Level 1 and Level 2 Head Coach in 2017 and Squirts Head Coach in 2018. As a personal passion and project, Bridie has partnered with Between Friends to create our SOGO Access program, which began in 2016. She has since touched the lives of many kids and families that struggle to access physical literacy programs in Calgary and the surrounding area. Bridie led our SOGO Access program to win a "Most Inclusive Organization" award in 2018, with Between Friends. Bridie is currently studying Education at the University of Calgary in amongst her SOGO coaching roles. Bridie is also an avid skier, climber, runner and when she gets to the coast, surfer! |
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Calli O'Brien
Head Coach and Program Coordinator, [email protected], SOGO Groups Growing up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Calli has always been inspired by and drawn to the wonders of the natural environment and the adventure that spontaneously presents itself in the wild. An avid backcountry hiker/camper, kayaker, and trail runner, Calli has had a lifelong obsession with maps and with intentionally getting lost outdoors. While she is new to the sport of orienteering, her passion for sport, athlete development, and coaching are recognized in track and field, triathlon, and CrossFit, and now as the Head Coach and Program Coordinator for our [email protected] program. In addition to her lengthy coaching resume, Calli is also the part-time Executive Director for the Alberta Association of Naturopathic Doctors and is a published author. |
Lenora Carbonetto,
SOGO Program Coordinator
Lenora has been working with SOGO since 2017, where she began as the Level 1, 2 Head Coach and later developed into her current role. In the warmer months, Lenora shares her time with SOGO as an ACMG Hiking Guide leading groups in the nearby Mountain Parks. Later in the season when the snow flies, she can be found backcountry skiing in various parts of Alberta and BC. Originating from central Canada, Lenora has an undergraduate degree in International Development from the University of Ottawa and moved to Calgary after graduation in 2009.
SOGO Program Coordinator
Lenora has been working with SOGO since 2017, where she began as the Level 1, 2 Head Coach and later developed into her current role. In the warmer months, Lenora shares her time with SOGO as an ACMG Hiking Guide leading groups in the nearby Mountain Parks. Later in the season when the snow flies, she can be found backcountry skiing in various parts of Alberta and BC. Originating from central Canada, Lenora has an undergraduate degree in International Development from the University of Ottawa and moved to Calgary after graduation in 2009.
