Our PEOPLE
Camp Directors
Nick Roosa
Coach Nick Roosa is currently the Northern Vermont University-Lyndon head men's and women's cross country coach. Nick has an extensive background as a coach and competitive runner. He has served as the head cross country and track & field coach at Stonleigh Burnham School in Greenfield, MA and previously was the head track & field and assistant cross country coach at Bronxville Union Free School in Bronxville, NY, from 2012 to 2015. Nick is also an accomplished competitive runner. His accomplishments include a 61st place overall finish in the 2018 Boston Marathon, a 39th place finish in the 2011 New York City Marathon, and a 3rd place finish in the 2010 Austin Marathon. He has competed with the Western Massachusetts Distance Project in numerous cross country, track, and road races, including the USA Track & Field New England Cross Country Championships and the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships.
When not coaching, running, or prepping for the best 2 weeks of the year, Nick is the father of a beautiful daughter, Maggie and 2 dogs. One of the dogs, Sweet Potato (Tato) was named by NKRC campers. He also makes a pretty incredible maple latte.
Mike Flynn
Coach Mike Flynn coached at Griswold High School for 10 years and is currently in his 7th year at East Lyme High School in CT. He has coached teams to win over 10 State Championships in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and most recently the boys East Lyme team won the 2022 Class MM XC State Championship and 2022-2023 Indoor Class M State Championship. In cross country, East Lyme boys have won 5 consecutive Conference XC Titles, while the girls have won 6 in a row. Coach Flynn has coached over 50 conference championship teams, 30 plus all-state athletes, numerous Individual and Relay state champions, several New-England and National qualifiers. Coach Flynn is also a very accomplished runner himself 3 Time XC Team State Champions, 2 time individual State Champion(1600). Made Junior Olympic Nationals 5x. Ran in NCAA Div 2 XC Nationals while at Southern Connecticut State University.
“The thing I love most about NKRC is how it is a yearly refresher on how powerful, genuine and special the running community is. To play a small part, along with Nick, in helping bring inspiration, training and tools to the current and next generation of runners is humbling and truly special. We have an incredible staff that year after year make NKRC the best week(s) of the year. It's been amazing to also share the magic of the Northeast Kingdom and camp with my lovely wife Alyssa and our two boys Beckett and Austin. When people ask "what do you do at running camp?" I always smile and say "You just have to experience it to know and then it is something that stays with you forever."
Camp Nurses and Physical Therapist
Theresa Apple
Theresa is our staff nurse and yoga teacher. She currently is the assistant coach for the Pittsfield, MA girl’s cross country team. Nurse Apple has been coaching for 23 years and currently still enjoys running for fun and competes national on the United States Snowshoe team. Her pre race ritual is to enjoy a diet Pepsi and a Freihoffer's powdered doughnut.
“Coming to NKRC each summer is like coming home. Coming home to a large family with similar interests and passions. Heaven on earth.”
Joan Zimmerman
Nurse Joan is our other incredible staff nurse. Nurse Joan is an elementary school nurse and works with over 500 students. She enjoys her time with the walking group and playing corn hole which she is kind of enough to bring from home. Make sure to get on her good side because she is one of the judges for the talent show.
Lauren LaPierre
Lauren is our staff physical therapist (PT) and currently coaches post collegiate and beyond male and female athletes with goals of completing 5k or marathon distances. Lauren currently runs competitively with the Hearbreakers (Boston) and the Ronald McDonald House Run Club in Providence training for anything from 5ks up to the marathon. Her PRs are 3:20:01 in the marathon and 1:30:02 in the Half Marathon and is a 2x Boston Marathon Qualifier and 1x NYC Marathon Qualifier. Her goal as a coach and PT is to help runners worldwide run pain free, improve their performance and confidence with running through online coaching.
“I love the people and the energy of the staff and kids coming together for the love of this sport. I look forward to seeing everyone again, learning from other incredible coaches and having the opportunity to educate and inspire the next generation of runners/athletes.”
Staff Coaches
Chris Barry
Coach Barry has 30+ years of coaching experience and is entering his 18th year as the Irvington High School boy's and girl's cross country teams, indoor track teams, and the boy's outdoor track team in Irvington, NY. Coach Barry has led the cross country and track teams to numerous league championships over the years. The boy's cross country team has won 5 Sectional Championships, placed 3rd at the NY State championship twice, and won a NY State Class C Championship in 2021. The 2021 team also qualified for the NY State Federation Championships, placing 20th. The boy's outdoor track team has won 2 straight Section runner-up plaques. Coach is our staff historian who has authored a book and has hitchhiked across the Iron Curtain on the back of a motor scooter, from Hungary to Austria.
NKRC has “The beautiful running venues, the coaching friends, and the wonderful and positive staff of counselors are all a big draw for me. And especially the chance to bring my own team to train, learn, and bond together for an intense but highly positive week.”
Joshua Brown
Coach Brown is the head boy’s cross country and assistant track coach at Conard High School in West Hartford, CT. Throughout his coaching career, he has coached 2 multi year All-State cross country runners, received 3rd place twice for Class L, and coached 1 Footlocker cross country national qualifier. He currently runs competitively for the Heartbeat Track Club in CT competing in the 800m-8k distance. He is not only a competitive runner but has beaten our very own Camp Director, Nick Roosa at Cornhole.
“I love NKRC because it is the epitome of what running should be! It is an incredible place full of people who care about the sport and want everyone to thrive (athlete and coach alike) no matter what level you are. I am most looking forward to Lake Day and a Ridge Run!”
Gerry Chester
Coach Chester has 41 years of coaching experience in high school cross country and track & field. He has led his athletes to 17 state championships, 3 state championship runner-ups, and 30 conference championships (CT). Coach has developed 97 All-State, 149 All-Conference, 27 All-New England, 3 All-Americans, & 2 Footlocker finalists. In 2006 he was recognized as the National Coach of the Year (NHSACA) for boy's cross country and inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches (CHSCA) Hall of Fame in 2015. Outside of coaching, he has authored a best-selling book, “Running has Never Lied to Me” which will be available at camp. While in college he ran PR’s - Mile (4:24.8); 2-mile (9:28.2); 3000m Steeple (9:22.0) and once ran 34 miles in a workout. Not because he wanted to but because he got lost and refused to ask for directions.
Kevin “Wild” Clendennin
Coach Clendenning is a staff coach and our morning pool instructor that has over 40 years of coaching experience in cross country and track & field. He has led teams to 20 Connecticut state championships over the years. He currently enjoys trail running and digging very big holes in the bottom of Lake Willoughby. The running venues, staff and the campers are just a few reasons why Coach Clendennin loves NKRC.
Jeff Billing
Coach Billing is the head boys cross country and track & field coach at Hall High School in West Hartford, CT. He was named 2022 CT XC Coach of the year and 2023 CT Outdoor track Coach of the year while leading the teams to becoming the State Open champions in XC, indoor and outdoor track. Jeff is actively involved in the USATF Hartbeat Track Club and has ran the Manchester Road Race, CT for 31 consecutive years.
Coach Billing enjoys “the people, the location and spending time with my team getting inspired to have a great XC season”
Carrie-Anne DeDeo
Coach DeDeo is entering her 13th year as the Newton Country Day School, MA girls varsity cross country coach entering her 12th year. Carrie is a member of the Somerville Road Runners with a specialty in marathons. She has run 8 Boston Marathons with 19 marathons total with a. Marathon PR 3:26:05 at Baystate in 2021.
“The motivation the campers give me to step up my running game and sharing ideas with the other coaches.” is why I love NKRC.
Jessica Taylor Hubert
Jessica is the boy’s and girl’s middle school cross country and track & field coach in Griswold, CT for the past 18 years. She has led her team to the 2009 Conference champions, and helped develop the confidence in one of her runners with diabetes to run many seasons with me knowing I would help and fix any problem that arose with her sugars, she just needed to be a kid and run. When she is not coaching, she is staying busy with her 5 kids!
Chris Helminski
Coach Helminski is the boy’s cross country and track & field coach at Ledyard High School, CT. He runs competitively himself with the Hartbeat Track Club with PRs of 14:52 in the 5k, 4:18 in the mile, and 8:34 in the 3K. Chris also teaches English, enjoys Jiu Jitsu, and is a car enthusiast!
“I love NKRC due to the camaraderie and gathering of like-minded individuals.”
Brian Collins
Coach Collins is the head girl's cross country and track coach at Glastonbury High School in CT. Throughout his 24 years of coaching he has coached the girl's to multiple Class LL, State Open and New England individual and team championships. He took a step back from coaching for over 20 years and the first 2 positions that he applied for he didn't get, everything happens for a reason!!! He also enjoys ending most sentences with !!!.
“I love seeing the coaches and athletes that I've met and continue to see over all of the years. NKRC does things the right way for everyone involved no matter what their ability is!!! The experience of everyone is shared to make the sport better!!!”
Alyssa Flynn
Coach Flynn is the assistant high school cross country girl's coach at East Lyme High School in CT who have captured 2 Conference Championships and 2 top 3 finishes at the Class meet. Alyssa ran collegiately at the University of Rhode Island with an cross country 5k PR of 17:49 and 1 mile PR of 4:57. She currently enjoys the sport of running recreationally and by chasing around her two sweet little boy's.
“I love the close family feeling of campers and staff who come back year after year and all the beautiful running venues...especially Lake Day!”
Brian Gaudreau
Coach Gaudreau is the Assistant Coach for Glastonbury cross country, Indoor & Outdoor track & field (CT) and has been coaching for a total of 14 years and has ran a speedy marathon himself, running 2:53 at the Boston and Hartford Marathon in 2015 and 2019. Currently, Brian enjoys running on the soft surfaces and protective shade of Vernon Rail Trail. He also is a true Swifty.
“NKRC Camp just sets the tone for the culture you should attempt to establish with your team. The running venues are amazing and everyone is so encouraging and supportive.”
Joy Green
Joy coaches alongside Will Harding, her cousin from the 1600s, with the University of Florida Triathlon Club, the Trigators and has over 20 years of coaching experience. Joy was a serious hurdler and track athlete in middle and high school and played basketball at the University of Florida. She discovered her love of distance running after college and has now completed 15 or so marathons including Boston with multiple age group top finishes.
“I love seeing my NKRC family, the quirky, small town atmosphere of Lyndonville and surrounding area, the trails, weather (compared to Florida in the summer) and especially enjoy the enthusiasm of our college counselors and campers!”
Everett Hackett
Coach Hackett is the assistant boy’s track and cross country coach at Hall High School in West Hartford, CT. Everett runs competitively with the Hartbeat Track Club in Hartford, CT and is a two time Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier (2016 and 2020). If you want a good laugh, ask Everett how the 2016 Olympic Trials race went for him. Everett is a man of many talents because not only is he a speedy runner he has the gift of being able to lick his own elbow.
Will Harding
Will Harding is the oldest and the (wisest) staff coach. He currently is a coach with the University of Florida TriGators and is the self acclaimed “Head Trespasser” with golf courses being his go to. Will enjoys his daily get lost rides, moose hunts, and ice cream cones at NKRC.
Don Hennigar
Coach Hennigar (pronounced hen’-i-gaaaa) is the head boy's and girl's cross country coach and assistant boy's and girl's coach for indoor and outdoor track at Newburyport High School in MA. He has been coaching for 45 years and running for 37 with a marathon PR of 2:32 in 1984. At camp, his primary role is to make sure he keeps Coach Gerry Chester in line. Coach Hinnigar enjoys NKRC because of “the people, Vermont, and being around those who love the sport”.
Kevin Hoyt
Kevin is the girl's and boy's coach at Newtown High School in CT.. Kevin is also a speedy marathoner with a 2:28 Boston Marathon in 2015 and currently runs for the Los Runners out of Norwalk, CT. Also, Kevin wanted to make sure everyone knows that Burlington, VT has the world's tallest file cabinet.
James McFarland
Coach McFarland is the staff strength & conditioning coach and currently the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Hillsborough High School, NJ. He has over 30 years of coaching experience and in 2018 was named the National High School Strength Coach of the Year from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Coach McFarland wins the award for strongest and most positive person at camp.
NKRC gives you “the opportunity to be yourself as a running athlete/coach and contribute to the running community.”
Phil Mitchell
Coach Mitchell teaches and has coached the boy's & girl's cross country and track team at Hartford Public High School. Hartford Public has won numerous city championships, and improved from a team that did not compete at the CIAC Class Championships in cross country to finishing in the Top 20 of the boy's Class L Championship in 2018. More importantly, the team developed a hardworking, inclusive, and caring culture under Coach Mitchell’s leadership. He also runs competitively for the Hartbeast Track Club in Hartford, CT and recently just ran a 2:38:48 marathon at the California International Marathon. Phil’s go to Karaoke song is Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi” in which he has received compliments galore.
“I have been attending camp in the Northeast Kingdom since I was going into 11th grade in 2003. I get a rush each year as I exit off I-91 and drive up McGoff Hill towards campus. There is no one thing I look forward to, other than being inspired by the place and the people, which I can count on every single year.”
Ally Mooney
Coach Mooney has 20 years of coaching experience and is the head cross country coach at Irving Robbins Middle School in Farmington, CT and the distance coach for girl's and boy's track & field at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, CT. Coach Mooney’s biggest joy in coaching is helping individual runners grow and improve while falling in love with the sport.
“I love being surrounded by positive, friendly, knowledgeable people who all share the same passion for running and coaching.”
John Provencher
Coach Provencher is the assistant cross country and track & field coach at Avon High School in CT. He has led the Avon team to a Class MM cross country State Championship (2021) and Multiple Conference Championships/Runners-ups. He has 20 years of coaching experience and currently runs for fun after running competitively with PRs of 17:11 - 5k(1998), 56:25 - 10m(1997). NKRC for Coach Pro is paradise and has been coming to this location since 1997. The Northeast Kingdom is also the perfect location to take his yellow jeep on some deep in the woods trail rides.
Carolyn Stocker
Carolyn is the staff strength & conditioning coach and dietitian/nutritionist. Carolyn ran for the University of Maine with PRs of 17:23 in the 5k and 37:01 in the 10k. Carolyn continues to enjoy the sport of running through mountains, trails, and snowshoeing. She has competed on the United States Snowshoe team (yes, that is a thing!) and currently holds the junior record for the Mount Washington Road Race, 7.6 miles, 12% grade in in 1 hour, 20 minutes, 40 seconds.
“Why NKRC? I have developed life long friendships, mentors, and unconditional support from the people of NKRC. Each summer is like a family reunion.”
Jaclyn Sullivan
Coach Sullivan is entering her 5th year as the head boy’s cross country and entering her 9th year as the assistant coach for boy’s and girl’s Indoor and outdoor track at Norwich Free Academy (NFA) in Connecticut. Jackie ran for Southern Connecticut State University and has PRs of 2:58.87 in the 1000m, 4:48.98 in the 1500m, and 18:55 in the 5k. Currently Jackie still enjoys running for fun and competing in some club events.
“NKRC is a place where runners can come together and be unabashedly their true runner self. From staff coaches to campers, there are so many people to meet and connect with - many of which become life long friends.”
Chris Tafelski
Coach Tafelski is the head boy's cross country, winter and spring track & field coach at Westfield High School in NJ for 12 years. In cross country, he has coached 2x NJ Group 4 State Champions, 9x NJ State Section Champions, 13x Union County Champions, 2012 NXN Qualifier. In track, has coached 2x NJ Group 4 State Champions, 2x NJ State Section Champions, 2022 NB Indoor Nationals SMR Champions, All-Americans in 4xM & DMR 2022, All- Americans in 4xM, DMR, & 4x800 2023, 2 NJ Meet of Champions winners (800, 2022; 4x400, 2019), and All-Americans in DMR, 4xM, 4x800, 4x400 in 2022.
NKRC is “the best week of the year. The campus is beautiful and the running venues are amazing, but it's the atmosphere of camp created by the staff that makes it so special.”
Jon Waldron
Coach Waldron currently is the head cross country and track & field coach at Concord Academy, MA. Previously he helped Newton North High School team win 4 league titles and MA State Championship with individuals winning 6 individual MA state titles. Concord Academy has won 6 Team League Titles and 1 New England Championship. Twenty-five Concord Academy athletes have gone on to compete in college (three All-American) and 2 have gone onto compete at the Olympic Trials Marathon. Jon currently runs for the Cambridge Sports Union and celebrated his 64th birthday running 64 laps around an outdoor track.
“I love the family atmosphere, the collegiality, and the absolute commitment of coaches and staff to making camp inspirational and meaningful for the kids.”
Senior Staff
Griffin Barris
Griffin is pursuing a Masters of Public Health student at The George Washington University and currently runs with Northeast Track Club (NETC) in Washington, DC and trains for the 5k-Marathon receiving a BQ in the Marine Corps marathon running 2:58:38. Similar to our camp director, Nick Roosa, Griffin has run his age in miles on my birthday since he was 17 (several times at camp!).
Griffin enjoys “the natural beauty of Vermont alongside my closest friends and feeding off the positive energy every runner brings to camp.”
Phil Bodurtha
Phil is a Research Fellow for United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine. He has degrees in Exercise Science to pursue a career in learning about endurance training physiology and biomechanics and since exercise is medicine continues to run for fun.
“NKRC has become a home away from home for me and whenever I think about NKRC it puts a smile on my face regardless of my mood. I look forward to see returning staff and campers to have the best two weeks of my year in the beautiful hills of VT!”
Charles Brydges
Charles just graduated from McGill University in Canada and is currently running independently in search of finding the right fit in a running club. In the Hartford, CT Half Marathon in 2022, Charles ran a speedy 1:16:58 and looks forward to building up to a full marathon this year. If you are lucky enough to be in his suite at camp, please ensure your room stays orderly and clean.
“The people of NKRC are what makes the camp so awesome. Every year I look forward to seeing the same friendly faces in the staff room.”
Ben Burgess
Ben just finished a successful running career at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Ben’s PRs are 10k- 31:20 (2019), 8k- 25:03 (2022), 5k- 14:57 (2022), 1500m- 3:58 (2022) and we won’t be surprised if he crushes these times in 2023. He is ready to continue the great tradition of NKRC as his first year on our senior staff.
Bryan Gallagher
Bryan is our camp photographer and is the assistant cross country and track & field coach at the Middlesex School in Concord, MA. He coached the 800m leg in the 4th place Sprint Medley Relay (SMR) in 2023 earning All American honors. He currently runs for the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) and is a freelance running coach. His PRs are Mile - 4:14 (2020), 5k - 14:48 (2019), 10k - 31:46 (2020) and Half 1:12:02 (2020). Make sure to laugh, jump, cartwheel, wave when you see Bryan out on the trails with his big camera.
“I love camp because of the people and the environment. Being surrounded by a group of people in pursuit of a common goal of self-improvement is so motivating, and we lift each other up by working hard and training together. I've been fortunate enough to meet some of my best friends at camp, and returning to campus every year is the highlight of my summer.”
Sam Harding
Sam ran for Pittsfield High School with Nurse Apple and continued on to run for Westfield State University where he made the All Conference Team in indoor track and was a part of the 4x800m Champion team in 2017. In his one year of coaching he led the girls to a state qualifier and an individual boy's qualifier. Although he may be a runner, sailing is not his strongest sport. He once sunk a sailboat but don’t worry, he got it back.
Rich Harris
THE Rich Harris.
Ethan Moores
Ethan attended Bacon Academy and just graduated from Norwich University in VT. Ethan also wants to make sure you order soft serve ice cream correctly while at camp, make sure to order a “creemee”.
“There is no better place to run than in the hills of the Northeast Kingdom, and no better people to run with than those at NKRC.”
Amanda Naylor
Amanda is currently a graduate student at Roger Williams working towards her masters in Special Education while fulfilling her extra year of eligibility to continue to run on the cross country and track teams. In the fall of 2021, she broke 20 minutes in the 5k with a time of 19:43 and continued to run 19:36 on the track in spring of 2022. Amanda also has some musical talents as she played the flute for 10 years.
“NKRC has been the highlight of my summers ever since I first attended camp! I love how supportive everyone is who I have encountered at this camp and it has given me lifelong friendships. Nothing beats running up in the Northeast Kingdom every summer and the beautiful trails and views are just two of the things that I always look forward about camp! NKRC is truly my happy place and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend this camp as a camper for many years and then work here for the past few years on staff! Looking forward for many more miles and fun times during NKRC 2023:)”