OUR COACHES
Quinn Lehmkuhl
CO-HEAD COACH - Comp Team
Quinn Lehmkuhl's Nordic skiing journey is marked by unwavering dedication, impressive achievements, and a profound love for the outdoors. Graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder, she spent four years racing on their NCAA D1 ski team, while earning a BA in Physiology with a focus on exercise, and a certificate in Public Health. Quinn is also certified as an ACE personal trainer and Exercise Physiologist.
In her post-collegiate years, Quinn returned to her hometown of Tahoe City, California, and took on the role of co-head coach for both the Tahoe City Cross Country (TXC) development and comp teams. She currently co-leads the Tahoe Endurance comp team while also maintaining her position as head of the TXC development team.
Quinn's passion for skiing is deeply rooted, and she believes in the sport's ability to instill lifelong skills, highlight the rewards of hard work, and provide a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.
Contact Quinn at: quinn@tahoe-endurance.org
Julien Bordes
CO-HEAD COACH - Comp Team
Julien Bordes has an illustrious athletic career as a former nationally-ranked cross-country skier, competing internationally for seven years and representing four professional teams. Originally from Tahoe City, California, he pursued a B.A. in Psychology at Alaska Pacific University, simultaneously competing for the university's prestigious Nordic Elite team.
Transitioning from athlete to co-head coach, Julien significantly contributed to his hometown's Tahoe Cross Country (TXC) Nordic program. He leads the Tahoe Endurance comp team alongside co-head coach Quinn Lehmkuhl. Julien is also a co-founder of CoeLab, an innovative athlete data management platform to empower teams to reach their full potential.
Known for his contagious enthusiasm and genuine passion for coaching, Julien is dedicated to instilling a profound love for the sport in his athletes.
Contact Julien at: julien@tahoe-endurance.org
Casey Jowers
ASSISTANT COACH - Comp Team
Casey Jowers is deeply rooted in the North Lake Tahoe community, a place he proudly calls home. Serving as an Emergency Medicine Physician at Tahoe Forest Hospital, Casey has dedicated the past decade to providing prehospital medical direction for all emergency medical services in the region.
His commitment extends beyond the hospital, where he actively participates in medical direction for various local nonprofits, including Auburn Ski Club and Gateway Mountain Center.
Beyond his medical contributions, Casey is an avid Nordic skier, taking his passion to international races. His love for the sport reflects his dedication to the North Lake Tahoe community, where he actively works towards securing a bright future for this cherished locale and finds joy in coaching the next generation of Nordic skiers.
Casey is also a proud parent of two daughters who are third-generation residents of Olympic Valley, California.
Michael (Mike) Karch
LEAD WAX TECH
Based in Mammoth Lakes, California, Mike Karch, MD, has enjoyed a prolific career as an orthopedic surgeon, international disaster responder, entrepreneur, educator and author.
In addition to his role as founding member and senior partner in the Mammoth Orthopedic Institute, he founded the Mammoth Mass Casualty Seminar, which evolved into the International Disaster and Austere Medicine Seminar and is the co-founder of Mammoth Medical Missions.
Beyond his professional endeavors in Mammoth, Mike serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine and the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He’s also been a team physician for the United States Ski and Snowboard Team since 2002.
An avid outdoorsman, he’s competed in innumerable ultra-distance events. Residing with his wife and three children, they all share a love for the outdoors and a common commitment to giving back to their local community.
Zack Karas
DEVO COACH
Zack Karas grew up in Colorado, fostering a love of everything outdoors and human-powered. He spent his early years competing on the national level in taekwondo, learning at an early age about the importance of proper training and developing a positive lifelong relationship to being a healthy athlete while always remembering to love the process - something he takes great responsibility in passing on to other athletes as a Devo coach.
After spending many years as a long distance thru-hiker, Zack transitioned to cross-country ski racing and bike racing after moving to Tahoe City almost 20 years ago. Some of his more recent podium finishes include the Great Ski Race, Tahoe Rim Tour, Alpenglow 20k and Mammoth Marathon ski races and Heart of Gold, Great Trail Race and Truckee Tahoe Gravel bike races. He enjoys exploring all Tahoe has to offer with his 2 boys who have been nordic skiers since pre-school.
Contact Zack at: zack@tahoe-endurance.org
