| Mid
Distance Musher Bios |
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ROBIN
BEALL – GRAND MARAIS, MN
Robin is a retired surgical nurse,
who was introduced to this crazy sport by her husband Greg. She’s
been racing for six years. She’s also a proud grandma of
two. “I wish everyone a fast and safe trail,” says
Robin.
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BILLIE
DIVER – CLOQUET, MN
Billie
has been running dogs since she was seven. She has participated
in the Empire 130, Apostle Islands race, Mid Minnesota and this
will be her third Beargrease. Currently there are 25 dogs in her
kennel. Billie would like to thank Fond Du Lac Reservation, Serenity
Farms and B & B Market for helping to sponsor her this year.
She also sends "a big thanks to Richard Loucks for helping
me train!"
Thanks to Kevin and Beth at Empire Canvas Works
for keeping me warm for yet another race!!
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STEVEN
CVEK – CORNUCOPIA, WI
Steve has been mushing dogs since
1992, and brought his wife Natasha into the mushing fold in 1997.
They manage a kennel of twenty-four dogs near Cornucipia, WI.
When not mushing Steve is a carpenter and Tasha makes original
jewelry. They would like to thank Ehler’s Store, Wolfsong
Wear, Jesse Kaseno and Sheila Cadotte, Country Care Pet Hospital
and all their handlers and friends.
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FRANK
MOE – BEMIDJI, MN
Frank and his wife Sherri live
near Bemidji with their 20 dogs, mostly Alaskan huskies. He’s
a teacher at Bemidji State University and serves in the Minnesota
Legislature. “Every year I travel my legislative district,
via dogsled, visiting communities and schools. Nothing makes me
happier than to finish a long day on the trail by driving the
dogs into a school yard. I’m not sure who enjoys the greeting
more…the kids, or the dogs.”
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ANTHONY
KUBAT
- TEAM EPIC - DULUTH, MN
This is my
second run in the Mid-distance, first time I had an eighth place
finish. I have been handling and helping out the Stetsons for
the past several years and would like to say, Thanks to John and
Shelly for all that they have done.
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KELLI
HANSEN – ANGORA, MN
“I’ve
been involved with sled dogs for ten years and have had my own
team for six,” Kelly says. “When not training the
sled dogs, I work as a physicial therapist in Cook, MN. I also
enjoy camping, kayaking, canoeing. Thanks you to Jamie Nelson
and the Chapman family who have been my mentors and training partners!"
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DAVE
TURNER-
SANDY, OR |
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JOHN
VITEK
- NO. BRANCH, MN |

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ARJA
MONTTINEN
- SOUMUSSALMI,
FINLAND
Age: 23
Studying: Central Ostrobothnia Rural Institute, the Unit of Kannus,
Kennels-sector.
Studies: Graduated from High School, 2003 Wilderness and Nature
Guide, 2004, Army, training military dogs, 2005
Me and my dogs:
I have 5 own dogs: Piki, mixed breed, 10 years, Kimi, mixed breed,
10 years, Jere, mixed breed, 10 years, Ina, Siberian husky, 8
years, Frost, Samoyed, 6 years
Then I also had a police patrol dog, German Shepherd, Rasputin.
Training him was part of my studies.
Me and sled dogs: I have worked as practical training in 3 different
sled dog kennels, all together 5 months and I have experience
in training and taking care of Siberian huskies, Samoyeds and
Greenland dogs.
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PHIL
MORRISON - NEW CASTLE, IRELAND
This is Phil’s first attempt
at a sled dog race. “I grew up around dogs, mainly German
shepherds. I worked for over twenty-two years as a K9 handler
in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern
Ireland,” he says. “I was introduced to Blake and
Jennifer Freking, culminating in handling for Jennifer in her
2005 Beargrease. This year I’ll be running their young dogs."
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BRIAN
PATTERSON – TWO HARBORS, MN
I am a forty-eight year old starving
actor. But now I have been shipped off to drive a dog team to
stay out of trouble. I served a brief stint on the Beargrease
Board of Directors and have had the responsibility of being a
race judge several times.
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REBEKAH
CHAPMAN -
ANGORA, MN
Rebekah
is 23 and has been running dogs since she was 8. Rebekah and her
sister Elizabeth own Sweet Wind Kennel and have 45 sled dogs and
two cats. She has participated in numerious races in the midwest
including the UP 200, the Apostle Islands and multiple Beargreases.
Currently
Rebekah is attending college and is employed as the general guest
services manager at a local five star resort. She is the Mid-Distance
Musher Representative on the Beargrease Board of Directors. In
her spare time she enjoys being outdoors, canoeing, fishing, hunting,
welding, cooking and driving her Subaru!
Sweet Wind
Kennel wishes to thank Vermillion Veterinary Clinic, Flint Creek
Farms and Husky Creek Sleds for their support. |
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BRIAN
TIURA – CALUMET, MI
This is Brian’s fourth season
running dogs and his third race season. His kennel size ranges
from 15-20 dogs. He is a self-employed builder and father of three
children. Brian’s goals are to have fun while staying competitive
with a small kennel, and getting his kids into some junior races
in the future.
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LOWELL
SCHWARZROCK-
LESTER PRAIRIE, MN
Lowel
is the owner of BlackRockRacing Kennel. He has been involved with
Siberians since 1996 when he purchased two and began skjoring.
Lowell decided that was too much work, bought a couple more dogs
and began sledding and racing. He now has 19 dogs and alot more
work! Lowell has raced in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada
and this will be his second attempt at the Beargrease Mid-Distance.
His goal is to be successful in getting these Siberians, several
of which were born and raised at the BlackRockRacing Kennel, from
the start to the finish. Lowell sends a special "Thank You"
to his sponsor TechMix Inc. of Steward, MN for furnishing the
team with K-9 Restart. |
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STEVE
PETERSON – FARMINGTON, MN
Steve is a pastor, married and
the father of five daughters. He has been running dogs for about
eight years and currently has 17 dogs in his kennel. Steve has
spent extended time in Kenya, Africa building schools, churches
and working with community development. He also enjoys camping,
fishing and hunting. Steve is passionate about dog sledding and
loves being out on the trail with his dogs.
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MARY
BETH LOGUE – TROUT RIVER, PA
It all began with a trip to Alaska
and seeing the sled dog presentation in Denali National Park.
After that trip in the year 2000 Mary Beth began to skijor. Now
Cascade Kennel consists of 20 Alaskan Huskies and a crazy owner.
Training and spending time with the dogs is addictive and Mary
Beth thanks God her husband Chris is so supportive.
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ANGELA
VOLDARSKI – HOUGHTON, MI
Angela has a kennel of 20 adults
and 4 puppies. She hopes to do the Iditarod in about 5 years.
Angela has been racing for 15 years and started by riding in the
basket at three years old. Angela and her husband Charles have
two daughters.
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CLIFFORD
MAXFIELD – DANBURY, WI
It has been 20 years since Clifford
began mushing by sprint racing. His kennel consists of 40 alaskan
huskies and 2 siberian huskies. He is married to Kathy and they
have two grown children, daughter Jaye and son, Tim.
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DAVE
LUNDBERG – MONTICELLO, MN
"Ever
since I started running dogs 14 years ago the Beargrease has loomed
in the back of my mind. The half-marathon may or may not idle
that loom. Born in Duluth this race comes with a bit of nostalgia
for me. Little Mountain Siberians is a kennel of 17 dogs. We could
be described as a recreational team but I have a group of young
guns who are exceptional animals. I figured they deserved to do
a bit more than haul my fishing gear around. Visit my website
at www.furwheeler.com
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LINDA
HART – STILLWATER, MN
Linda and her husband Steve live
in Stillwater, MN and have been involved with sleddogs since 1986.
Steve ran his first Beargrease in 1989 and they have participated
in every race except one. Linda is an Emergency Communications
Manager at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Int’l Airport. They
have 13 dogs in their kennel including their wirehaired pointer,
Roy. In 2006 Linda had a confrontation with a tree limb on the
Beargrease trail, broke two ribs and had to scratch. She is hoping
for a clean run in 2007.
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GAIL
BRANSTROM – BABBITT, MN
Gail hopes that this year there
is snow for a go on the Beargrease!
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BOB
WRIGHT – SOUTH RANGE, WI
Bob has been racing sleddogs since
1997.
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MICHELLE
ETHUN – DULUTH, MN
Michelle has a small kennel of
eighteen dogs and balances mushing with a family of three children.
She tries to keep a happy attitude and have fun on the trail.
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ANDREW
LETZRING - ST. CLOUD, MN
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CHRISTA
KAMPHENKEL – ST. CLOUD, MN
Christa is currently a student
at St. Cloud State University. Her major is business with an emphasis
in marketing. She is in her third year. Christa spent this past
summer up in Seward, Alaska working at dog sled touring company.
She had a great time up there and had a dog follow her home. Christa
has been racing dogs since she was five years old. This will be
her first time running the Beargrease trail, although she has
been attending the race since she was one year old. Her lead dogs
will be Flake and Lenny.
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SAM
HUBER – ALEXANDRIA, MN
Sam is an automotive technician
at Steinbring Chevrolet of Alexandria, MN. He and wife Laurie
own and operate Frosty Paws Racing Sleddogs. Sam is the proud
dad of three year old twin girls. Sam and Laurie would like to
thank their friends, family and neighbors for their support.
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BILL
HJELM - ALEXANDRIA, MN |
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CONGRATULATIONS - 2008 Mid Distance Winner!
DON
GALLOWAY – MAKINEN, MN
Don shares a kennel with partner
and wife August Galloway, who he met working at a sled dog business
eleven years ago. Don works full time as a health practitioner
in Virginia/Cherry, MN.
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SHARON
NELSON-CURTICE – RUMELY, MN
“I’m a part-time Physical
Therapist Assistant and full-time mom. My husband Pete and I have
three kids. Pete and I share the training and racing duties for
our kennel of Alaskan Huskies,” Sharon tells us. “We
presently have 25 adults and six puppies. This will be our twelfth
racing season.”
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TRUMAN
OBERMEYER – CALUMET, MI
Brewery Creek Racing Kennel was
started outside of Calumet, MI in 1994. This mid-distance kennel
of twenty-two dogs is focusing on the Beargrease this year.
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MAGGIE
HEILMANN – SOMERSET, WI
Maggie has only been running dogs
for about six years. She started out as a skijorer with her Irish
Setter. Maggie has three daughters 21, 18, and 11. The 11 year
old races in sprint and skijor races. Her husband, Peter, is the
best handler ever. This will be Maggie’s longest race to
date.
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NICK
TURMAN – TWO HARBORS, MN
“Handling other people’s
teams led me to the dog mushing world. My wife Joy and I have
sixteen sled dogs and two wirehaired pointers. We’ve participated
in numerous Beargrease races, the Midnight Run, Mid Minnesota,
Empire and the Apostle Islands Race."
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JAMES
METHVEN - MASON, WI
James has
been mushing since 1996 and currently has a kennel of eleven dogs.
He has run the Beargrease 150 previously and is back for another
go at it. |
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JOHN
HULL - Elton,
WI
John started
racing four years ago out of Rocky Flats Kennel. He works at the
Pomps Tire Manufacturing plant in Antigo, WI. His son, Mickeal,
helps with the dog kennel.
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TIM
CHISHOLM -
NORTH BRANCH, MI
Tim has spent
15 years racing sled dogs and currently has a kennel of 25 dogs.
He is married with two children and works at 3M. |
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SHAWN
McCARTY
- ISABELLA, MN
Shawn, a native
of Ohio, has been running dogs out of the White Wilderness Kennel
where he works as a guide in the winter. White Wilderness has
a kennel of 100 dogs.
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BRIAN
WIESE
- KAKABEKA FALLS, ONTARIO, CANADA
Brian
has run the Beargrease six times, the Wildcat 500 twice, and the
Northern Lights Challange 300. He has logged many other miles
in the addictive sport of mushing which is his life long passion.
Brian says "Every year has been a thrill!"
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SAUL
ELLERING
- GREY EAGLE, MN
Saul has been
working with dogs for 4 years and looks forward to running the
race with his
father Paul Ellering.
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PAUL
ELLERING
- GREY EAGLE, MN
Paul is looking
forward to running the Beargrease with his son Saul Ellering.
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DAWN
BREEDLOVE
- BRYANT, WI |
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TOM
BENSON
- ELY, MN
Tom is 43
and has been driving dogs since 1993 and racing since 1999. He
races for fun, adventure and challenging competition.
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ROSE
SMYTH - LACONA, WI
Rose was born
in Laona WI at wars end in 1945. She had some real challenging
years growing up in a family of 10 brothers and 2 sisters. Her
family was very involved in hunting and fishing activities and
as a result she loves grouse and deer hunting. Rose likes walking
with her young pups in the summer and travels about 12 miles a
day - everyday. She got involved in dogsledding about 8 years
ago and runs her Irish Setters. She runs 32 setters, 5 Elhew Pointers
and 2 English Setters. She also breeds setters and pointers for
family pets and for the grouse hunter.
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TASHA
STEILSTRA - McMILLAN, MN
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KRISTER
RAASOCH - McMILLAN, MI
This is Krister's
second season running sled dogs for Ed and Tasha Stielstra. He
is originally from New Hampshire.
Krister finished the UP 200 last year, and guided dog sled tours
this summer on the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska. His favorite
dog is Hedgie, who is a Beargrease Marathon veteran, but unfortunately
too old to run with Krister's young team.
Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Racing & Adventures www.natureskennel.com
Ed and Tasha Stielstra PO Box 5 McMillan MI 49853
906-748-0513 |
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TIM
VANDERMEULER - McMILLAN, MI
I have been
involved with mushing for the past 10 years. I started out ski-joring
with one dog and this will be my longest race so far. I am very
exited about coming over to Duluth to see the town and participate
in the race. I would like to thank Ed and Tasha Stielstra for
allowing me the opportunity to race there dogs in this event.
I am a teacher
at a Career Tech Center in Traverse City Michigan. I have taught
high school students entry level skills to enter the electrical
trade.
I am married
and have two children all of which enjoy the mushing lifestyle
that our family has chosen.
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