Adam Terko from Mansfield Nordic Club is the NENSA 2017 Coach of the Year

NENSA is pleased to announce Adam Terko from Mansfield Nordic Club as the 2017 Coach of the Year.

Adam has done a superb job of transforming the Mansfield Nordic into one of the strongest Club Programs in the East since he took over as the Executive Director and Head Coach in 2015.  Although his passion is to create fast ski racers, the scope of his work has created a productive environment for skiers of all abilities to develop and enjoy cross-country skiing at a high level.  His efforts make Mansfield not only a resource for skiers from North West Vermont, but for skiers from throughout Vermont and New England.

Adam started his coaching career as the Assistant Coach at St. Lawrence University from 2012-2014.  Before helping his alma mater, the native Vermonter skied for CVU High School, were he captained the team and competed for New England at Junior Nationals.  During his time at St. Lawrence he helped coach and served as a wax tech for the Mid Atlantic Division at Junior Nationals.  When he returned to Vermont he continued to hone his skills working with Vermont’s EHS Team and the New England JN Team.  Adam is an enthusiastic member of our coaching community and a regular presence at Coaches Education and NENSA gatherings.

Kort Longenbach, the MNC President, is grateful for Adam’s energy and willingness to work with all levels of skiers, “our club has grown in many dimensions during his tenure.  In terms of excellence, he does a tremendous job of setting high training and self-reliance expectations for his athletes, while balancing it with an approachable and playful manner.  Over time I have seen his skiers positively respond to more aggressive training programs, while also growing a fun team atmosphere that has attracted members from all over.”

Just this week Adam illustrated this creative approach to coaching at the Eastern Regional Camp held in Waitsfield, Vermont, when he showed up for the skate agility test with a slip-n-slide and tiki torches.  The agility test is a serious competition that is part of the US Ski Team’s Development Program and a piece of qualification for further National Training Programs, however adding a innovative finish to the test allowed athletes to balance their competition with a fun factor and gave them a reward for putting forth their best effort.

Amie Smith, NENSA’s Executive Director says, “I was so pleased with the choice of Adam Terko as NENSA Coach of the Year.  Adam is a team player, and has been an awesome member of our JN Staff the past two years, first year as a member of our wax tech team, and this past March, as the U16 boys coach.  Adam is always willing to pitch in and do whatever is needed.  He is active in our NENSA community, having just joined the Athlete Development Committee in May, and wants what is best for our athletes, at every age.”

Coach Terko has found a nice fit living the MNC credo, “coaching, training and playing in the shadow of Mt. Mansfield.” “There’s an incredible support system within our club that makes it easy for me to put as much energy as I can into coaching…parents, Board members, coaches alongside myself, and of course the athletes themselves. You also can’t overlook the culture and engagement with the sport in New England. To be recognized for my coaching is really also a testament to all of those other factors and people as well. Thanks so much…and go Pugs!

We applaud Adam Terko for all he is doing for his Club – and the sport of cross-country skiing!

(Written by Justin Beckwith, Competitive Program Director)