Matt Koehler was born and raised in the small town of Amery, WI and has always loved competition and team environments. He moved to the Twin Cities to pursue his Engineering degree and basketball at the University of Saint Thomas. Within the first two months he quickly realized the time demands of engineering. With engineering being his number one priority, he stopped basketball…. and started rowing.
The early morning rowing practices worked well with engineering. The sport was different, competitive, and had a connected team.
Throughout his collegiate career Matt showed his teammates that good technique and speed can come from D3 club rowing. His senior year he helped Saint Thomas get a guaranteed entry for the Head of the Charles race in Boston, and made it to the finals in the pair at the Dads Vails regatta in Philadelphia.
Post collegiate rowing Matt joined 612 Endurance and now focuses on racing the single. In the past three years Matt has won many Midwest races and placed 9th and 13th in the single at the HOCR in Boston. Matt’s love for the sport of rowing is shown in every class he coaches. He believes the true reward of coaching is building a strong community in the gym and seeing people push past mental barriers. Outside of fitness Matt enjoys traveling, hunting, fishing, and living life with family and friends.
Brian Hartney believes strength is the most important aspect of both an individual's athletic performance, and their everyday movement. Through Paddlesculpt's Strength program, Brian coaches athletes to improve total body strength by focusing on barbell weightlifting. Brian is very passionate about training and coaching, and tremendously enjoys being part of fitness communities. Smiles, fist-bumps, and high-fives over everything!
Brian is a Level 1 Crossfit Trainer.
Mary Kaleta's athletic background is deeply rooted in both running and rowing. Her running career consists of competitively running cross country and track throughout high school as well as running several half and full marathons, including the Boston Marathon, post-collegiately. She coached high school cross country and track for two years in Richland, WA.
Kristina Casper met Dori Johnson down at the Minneapolis Rowing Club roughly four years ago when Dori began training rowing athletes to push their physical fitness outside of the rowing shells. Little did Kristina know that Dori would not only transform her into a stronger rower but a confident athlete, personal trainer and coach. Kristina is a firm believer in losing yourself in a hard workout, and that clarity can come through a good sweat.