ESPN TIMBERSPORTS

Hometown
Stillwater, Minn.

Age
36

Occupation
Third grade teacher (Lake Elmo Elementary)

Hobbies
Traveling, biking, reading, snowmobiling, gardening, skiing, kayaking, hiking, fishing, movies, being outside, family time

Years as competitor
27

Sponsors:
Central Boiler Outdoor Furnaces, Wood-Mizer Portable Sawmills, Starfish Point Resort

How did you get started?
I watched a log rolling tournament as a spectator and it looked like a blast! I signed up for lessons the following summer and have been hooked ever since.

How do you prepare or train?
Hard! I boom run every day on a 150-foot boom. I do a lot of log rolling, biking, and weight lifting. I prepare by reading sport psychology books, extensive sport journaling, and video analysis. I learn a lot from professional athletes in other sports.

When I am in Stillwater, I train at Fischer's or Berard's house with other competitors. I also do a lot of cross training on my own. I spend a lot of time at our cabin on the Gunflint Trail. I have a full training arena on-site with two full booms (30 logs) and many different spike and traction logs for log rolling.

Major accomplishments in the sport

• 19 World Championship medals

• 6 ESPN Great Outdoor Games medals

• 7 podium finishes at the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series

• 3 Time Boom Running World Champion (1995, 1996, 2007)

• 2005 Log Rolling World Champion

• 2005, 2006, & 2007 Log Rolling Champion at LWC

• 2006 & 2007 Overall World Champion

• No. 1 world rank four different times

What do you enjoy most about timbersports ?
It is a thrilling, fun, life-long sport. I always have fun practicing and competing. I love staying in shape! I really like the people I have met through the sport and enjoy working with great endorsement companies (Wood-Mizer & Central Boiler).

What do you like least about timbersports?
Training outside when it is in the 50's or 60's. Brrrrr! I don't like falling in the water on a cold, miserable day.

Describe your attitude when you compete
I am serious and focused, but I like to keep it fun! I keep things in perspective and dig deep for desire. Determination is one of my strong points!

Most memorable lumberjack moment
Winning the 2005 World Championships and LWC, earning the number one world ranking in log rolling; two podium finishes at the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series Boom in 2005, winning six GOG medals in three different events, competing in the Boom Run against all men in the early 1990's.

Interesting fact(s)
I'd LOVE to be on The Amazing Race or Survivor! I was on the NBC TODAY Show in New York City log rolling live on Rockefeller Plaza. Moose roam around in our boom pond and watch me practice. I love working in the woods and using our Wood-Mizer portable mill. I teach third grade in Lake Elmo and most of the kids are my biggest fans. I am hooked on the TV show 24. I just become a new mom, the most exciting and rewarding event in my life!

Nonprofit work

• I organize and run the Grand Marias log rolling and boom running team where all kids can participate for FREE!

• I volunteer for Stillwater Area Schools

• I volunteered and served for 17 years on the US Log Rolling Association board of directors

• My husband and I also do extensive volunteer work in Costa Rica, primarily around the elementary schools