2013 John Beargrease Musher Bios - Mid-Distance Race

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	Maggie Heilmann Somerset, WI US I started out skijoring with my Irish Setter 10 years ago. I then got a few more dogs and tried sprint racing for a year. I wanted to spend my time on the trail with my dogs, so I moved into mid-distance. My husband Peter and 15 year old daughter Madeline are my fantastic handlers. I also have two older daughters. In the off season we show horses, ride bikes, garden & kayak. I have a small kennel of 18 dogs. I enjoy seeing the pups we raise become exceptional sled dogs. After suffering a severe brain injury (and being told I was lucky to be alive) during a race last season, I have become an advocate for wearing a helmet and encourage others to do the same! My website is www.maddogracingkennel.com.
	Natalie Harwood Iron River, WI US My husband and I have been mushing for a little more than 10 years together. Our dogs are performance bred, racing Siberian Huskies. We have one son, Daniel, who is 3.5 years old who is happy to be "part dog" himself and will be getting his boots snowy this year on the runners in his own kid race! I'm a Veterinary Technician and manage our kennel, training the dogs with my husband (and handler, Aaron). I'm looking forward to my second Beargrease!
	Paul Amano Kaministiquia, Ontario, CA Last year's recipient of the Red Lantern in the mid-distance race felt lucky to have spent more time on the trail than any other musher in the race. The spirit of the race and the northern Minnesota community have brought this musher from Kaministiquia, Ontario back for more!
	Thea Schneider Finland, MN US Thea Schneider has been running Siberian Huskies recreationally for the past 7 years, but this will be her first race. Her addiction to dog sledding started with a child sized dog sled pulled by one dog that thought it was great to hear the musher screaming for dear life behind the sled. After those first couple runs, she was hooked to the sport. Thea has now moved to MN from Maine to spend a year handling for Jen and Blake Freking at Manitou Crossing Kennel. She is excited to get on the trail with the dogs and hopes this will be the first in a long line of races to come.
	Dusty Klaven Gheen, MN US This will be my second running of the Breargrease. I'm 23 yrs old and have been in the sport for 8 or so yrs. Besides running dogs I'm a full time college student at Hibbing Community College. I would like to thank my sponsor- Franks Marine, Orr MN and a family friend for his dedication throughout the season.
	Joanna Oberg Ignace, Ontario, CA Been running dogs for about 18 years and love it! We have 29 adult dogs and 8 puppies in our kennel. I help my parents operate Agimac River Outfitters, a fishing and hunting camp north of Ignace, Ontario. I enjoy the outdoors and being active hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, x-country skiing, snowshoeing, reading and writing. I also really enjoy showing my Beauceron and Irish Setter at dog shows in conformation and performance events! Looking forward to racing the Beargrease trail in 2012!
	Jason Jones Walker, MN US Had a great time last year, cant wait until January!
	Jerry Trudell Calumet, MI US My wife/handler/best friend Pat and I are transplanted southerners now residing in the U.P. of Michigan. We were introduced to the sport of mushing in 2006 and after a couple of years of handling for Truman Obermeyers Brewery Creek Racing we took the plunge into racing for the 2008-2009 season. Our kennel is made up of 12 Alaskan Husky/Eurohounds ranging in age from 1 to 6 years of age. We thoroughly enjoy the people, dogs and sport of mushing. The longer we are in the sport, the more our respect and admiration for our canine athletes grows. We look forward to returning for our third Beargrease Mid-Distance race. I am a pilot for Delta Airlines and my wife is a teacher. We have 4 grown children and 5 young grandchildren.
	Billie Diver Cloquet, MN US I'm originally from Cloquet, MN but currently attend school at the University of North Dakota. I'm seeking a degree in Nursing. I've been around dogs since I was about 3 years old and ran my first race when I was 7 years old. We have about 27 dogs in our kennel. Richard Loucks does most of the training since I'm at school & I cannot thank him enough!! I look forward to my sixth Beargrease this year!
	John Hull Elton, WI US I Like to Race - Awesome!
	Adam Koecher Willow River, MN US This is proof that dreams come true.....
	Der Hund Kennal Ellering Grey Eagle, MN US We're shooting for the Little John Race!
	Jerry Papke Kingston, MI US Journeyman Lineman for Dte Energy in the Thumb of Michigan. Racing Sleddogs for several years - 38 dogs in the kennel. My wife and handler, Ali, along with our soon to be born little girl Nov. 20?, love spending time with our k-9's. We have three acres fenced in the backyard and a dog cabin where our animals rest - this includes old retired sleddogs, young immature ones and very tired race dogs in training. The dogs love to relax by the fireplace with us. A fun time on the trail was in 2011 stopping two ten dog teams at the same time - we had 20 dogs side by side with no fighting until the musher caught up to his team :)