Meet Our Team

Amber Brown

More information coming soon.

101 Beginning Conditioning

Garren Shannon: 102 Beginning Racquetball

Garren Shannon, Director of Information Services for Pullman Public Schools in Pullman WA, is also an accomplished Computer Science educator who contracts with Microsoft Education as an instructional trainer, educating teachers across the USA.

A 12 year veteran of USAF (1980-1992) Garren worked in Aircraft Maintenance, Operation & Communication Security (OpSec/ComSec) and Information Systems Management. He holds a BS in Computer Science, an MS in Information Systems Management and is a certified Project Manager (PMP).

Prior to joining the Pullman School District, he held the IS Manager position for Washington State University’s School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science followed by IS Manager for the College of Engineering and Architecture.

Garren also ran his own computer support business in Jackson Hole WY called “The Computer Guy”. He has over 35 years’ experience in building, managing and directing enterprise level technical support systems.

Xinlan Wen: 107 Self Defense, 108 Karate, 156 Fitness Boxing, and 170 Women’s Self Defense

Xinlan Wen is born and raised in south of China. Currently, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in Washington State University.

She experiences Judo and Pink Glove Boxing. In 2020 fall she took self-defense class with Riley Hunter and meet Shihan- Jhon Adams. It changed her deeply- root stereotype of Martial Arts. Hence, she became to one of Shihan- Jhon Adams’s disciples, and she got brown belt in 9 months.

She is training karate really seriously and addict too. She thinks doing exercise is a way to improve mind and body, also she believes exercise is the only hard work will pay off. She is the current president of Kyokushin Karate club. Osu!

Sara Polello: 107 Judo

Sara Polello is currently the instructor at WSU for Judo. She was born and raised in North Spokane. She graduated from Mt. Spokane High School, and attended EWU for two years and was in the Army ROTC program. During 2020 and 2021 she spent time working on ranches in Washington and Arizona. In the summer of 2021 she moved to Pullman, Wa.

She has experiences in judo, wrestling, and jiu jitsu. In the past, she was a teaching assiastant for the judo class (spring 2022). Sara is also involved with the WSU Judo Club, where she teaches the new members. She is excited to share judo with all her students!

Titus Nordquist: 109 Beginning Golf

Titus Nordquist is a new instructor for Beginning Golf. He was born in Moscow Idaho, but has lived in Pullman his whole life, other than a few years of college in Butte, Montana at Montana Tech University to play football. He ultimately transferred back to complete a Sport Management BA and MA at Washington State. In the summers during his high school years, he worked for the Palouse Ridge Golf Course doing Turf Maintenance.

He has been golfing since he was 10 years old doing Pullman Junior Golf, golfing in high school, and has been a part of the Palouse Ridge Golf Association for 5 years. He is excited to help beginners learn and love the game of golf.

Andrew Whiteside: 109 Beginning Golf

Anthony Perovich: 109 Beginning Golf

My Name is Tony Perovich and I’m from Normandy Park, Washington. I am a Junior here at Washington State University and I am majoring in finance. I have been involved with the game of golf since I was about 5 years old and have always had a passion for it. My family has been members at Rainier Golf and Country Club since I was born, so I was always around the game of golf. However, growing up I mainly played baseball and basketball on organized teams and golf was more of hobby. But when Covid happened and the golf course was really the only thing that was open, it turned into easily my favorite thing to do. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to teach the game to those who are interested in getting into the sport!

Luke Goodson: 109 Beginning Golf

My name is Luke Godson, and I’m currently working on becoming a PGA professional by being enrolled in the PGA Management program at the University of Idaho. Growing up I have spent my whole life in Clark County Washington, either in Vancouver, Washougal, Battle Ground, or Brush Prairie, it’s always been where I’ve called home. But Idaho and golf was too tempting, and I love still being able to live in the Northwest and enjoy the beauty that only our area can offer. Some of my favorite hobbies are reading literature, especially the fictional classics and fantasy genres, as well as cooking and learning new meals to prepare and enjoy. But golf has always been not just a hobby, but a passion of mine even from a young age, and only lately have I realized that it is also a fantastic career opportunity. To have a small house in the country is all I could ask for; but to be able to go to work as a professional golfer at a local course and work at furthering the golfing community, while helping others grow their game would be the icing on the cake. My teaching approach is always to encourage enjoyment and success from day one, as you cannot expect to have a good day on the course if you’re stressing about achieving perfection. Especially if you have only been playing this sport for a short time. Or even after golfing for a long time! Still, my ultimate goal is to use my years of golf experience and friendly approach to help everyone discover and achieve their own personal goals in the game of golf.

Phillip Hinrichs, Jr.: 110 Intermediate Golf

Trey Stegeman: 110 Intermediate Golf

My name is Trey Stegeman. I was born and raised in Wenatchee Washington. I grew up playing basketball, football, and baseball but landed on golf. I started on varsity for four years and a two-year captain (junior and senior year). I have taken part in other extracurriculars like Young Life and math club at my high school. I have taken part in an internship at CMI to help open opportunities into marketing. I am looking to finish my time at WSU with a degree in marketing. 

Emma White: 111 Advanced Golf

WSU alumna Emma Betland is entering her third season as assistant coach for WSU women’s golf. During the 2016-17 fall season, Betland led junior Alivia Brown to a career-best second-place finish at the Golfweek Conference Challenge, Sept. 26-28.

During the 2015-16 season, Betland helped lead the Cougars to a conference-championship team record for the lowest three-round and single-round totals at the 2016 Pac-12 Championships. Betland also helped lead two golfers into the WSU all-time top-5 for scoring average as sophomore Alivia Brown averaged 73.85 strokes per round (second all-time) and junior Cherokee Kim averaged 74.20 strokes per round (fourth all-time).

In addition to the athletic success of the 2015-16 team, three Cougars were named as Women’s Collegiate Golf All-American scholars. Senior Nani Yanagi, sophomore Alivia Brown, and freshman Madison Odiorne received these honors.

During her first season as the assistant coach for the Washington State University women’s golf team, Betland helped lead the Cougars to their lowest team scoring average in school history. The WSU women averaged 299.45 strokes per round, while freshman Alivia Brown earned a bid to the NCAA St. George Regional, becoming the first WSU freshman to qualify as an individual. Betland guided Brown to a career-best sixth-place finish and a berth into the NCAA Championships, the second appearance for the Cougars in program history.

At the 2014 WSU Cougar Cup, the Cougars earned their lone tournament title of the season. WSU carded a three-round 867, the third-best 54-hole total in school history. Under Betland’s guidance, two golfers finished with scoring averages in the WSU all-time top-5. Senior Kristen Rue averaged 74.36 strokes per round (third all-time) and freshman Alivia Brown averaged 74.74 (fifth all-time).

In addition to the athletic success of the 2014-15 team, five Cougars earned Pac-12 All-Academic honors. Junior Rachel Lewis was named to the first team for the second-consecutive season. Fellow junior Nani Yanagi earned second team honors. Seniors Kristen Rue and Lindsay Harmon, as well as sophomore Cherokee Kim earned honorable mention.

A 2013 graduate of Washington State, Betland was a four-year letterwinner for the Cougars from 2010-13. The Australian native led Washington State in scoring average during her freshman and sophomore campaigns. She finished in the top 25 in 13 tournaments during her career.

A conference academic honorable mention selection, Betland spent the first year after graduation in her native country.

Erick Washburn: 112 & 113  Weight Training, and 146&147 Basketball

My name is Erick Washburn, I am a graduate from the Kinesiology Department at Washington State University. Washington State has helped shape my core values of hard work, adaptability, and consistency. Teaching Weight Training and Conditioning in the Kinesiology Activity Program is a great opportunity for me to give back to the program that has given so much to me.

Some goals of mine are to facilitate physical activity, to equip students with quality information they can apply through-out life, and to build self-efficacy. Physical activity is a holistic tool and can improve both the mind and body. Reasons I enjoy helping others engage in physical activities are to help individuals increase quality of life, form new hobbies, increase wellness, and experience health benefits.

My experiences in weightlifting, conditioning, coaching, education, first aid certification, and creating/running a travel home personal training business (Tailored Sport & Personal Training), have equipped me to help others achieve their goals in weight training and conditioning. Interests of mine include coaching, weight training, biking/running, watching sports, and learning.

Brian Green: 112 Beginning Weight trainng and 118 Yoga

What’s Up Everyone! I’m Brian Green, a Health Science graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno where I played two years as a student athlete for the Wolf Pack Mens Basketball program. I pursued my professional basketball dreams, which allowed me to experience seven countries, seven cultures, and great learning opportunities. During my career journey, I got to compete at the highest level and experience many great things on and off the court. One of my greatest experiences off the court and I became most passionate about is Bikram Yoga; in which I practiced periodically in the early 2000’s. In 2009, I began to utilize this particular series of yoga daily.

I believe Bikram Yoga is a wellness method to good health! The benefits of improved flexibility and mobility, regularly engaging mind and body connection are essential to the quality of life. When not in a hot yoga room, I truly love spending time on the basketball court, in the gym, maintaining my conditioning, competing, and keeping my skill set sharp. My goal is to establish a diverse, inclusive program through activity and sports to fellowship with others. I have now began to share my professional expertise with the next generation of young men and young women of all levels through yoga and basketball player development training. Go Cougs!

Dawson Shero: 112 Beginning Weight Training

Hey y’all. My name is Dawson Shero, I am currently in my last semester in the undergrad Kinesiology program here at WSU. Before transferring to WSU I spent one year at George Fox University, Oregon where I was a student athlete for football program. During this time is where I fell in love with the strength and conditioning aspects of sports. Besides being in the gym, my hobbies are snowboarding, hiking, camping, and binging tv shows.

Frank Molina: 114 Beginning Tumbling, and 130 Beginning Volleyball

Frank is originally from Southern California. Current he is the WSU head cheerleading coach. He has been teaching tumbling for 13 plus years. He was also a former collegiate volleyball player at el Camino college in California.

Pia Richards: 115 Couch to 5 K

Hello! My name is Pia Richards and I teach the Jogging course, kinesiology activity 115. This will be my 5th semester instructing this course and I am so excited to have the opportunity to teach this course once again! Distance running has long been a passion of mine, and I hope to spread that passion to others through this course. This course aims to give students basic yet essential running-related knowledge to help them effectively incorporate running into their lives even past the cessation of the course.

Leah Brown: 118 Yoga

Hi, my name is Leah Brown. I am from Puyallup WA and currently a Sophomore at Washington State University. I am majoring in Psychology and hope to one day own my own psychology practice. After graduation, I hope to earn my master’s degree in Family and Marriage Therapy. I love helping people and want to be able to make a difference in someone’s world. I was a competitive dancer for 16 years at my hometown studio in Lake Taps WA, called The Surge Dance Center. I am highly trained in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, ballet, and hip-hop. In my free time, I love hanging out with my friends, spending quality time with my family, surfing, painting, and being out on the Puget Sound.

My mom introduced me to yoga about four years ago and I instantly fell in love. I started taking classes at my high school and then moved to a more intense classes at a local studio. Yoga has taught me how to gain peace through my mind, body, and soul. It has brought me so much mental clarity, that I hope to share this with others. The practice of mediation and yoga has helped me through some of my toughest moments in life. I love yoga and I look forward to helping others find their peace through yoga as well.

Robert Jay Arnold: 118 Yoga, 158 Tai Chi, 172 Meditation and 100 Special topics: Bagua

I began training martial arts and various exercises at the age of 4 years old. I began teaching health, fitness and self-defense when I was 16 years old. To further my understanding, I moved to Taiwan for twenty years, training the most intricate details of the art of exercise and became the first foreigner to become a head master of a Chinese art (Bagua). Now it’s my honor and responsibility to pass it along to the next generation to empower them in becoming their true selves while preserving this sacred art.

Erika Greenwell: 118 Yoga and 100 Special Topics: Trauma Yoga

Maddy Vigus: 119 Cardio Dance and 174 Pilates

Alaina Maschmann: 120 & 121 Beginning and Intermediate Ballet, and 160 Barre

Hello everyone! My name is Alaina Maschmann, I am from Issaquah WA, and am currently a senior, double majoring in Kinesiology and Psychology at WSU. Some of my hobbies include, drawing, painting, hiking, working out, and most importantly ballet.

With over 17 years of ballet experience, dance and movement have been apart of my life for as long as I can remember. I first started out at Dance Expressions in Maple Valley, WA at the age of three, and continued to dance at local studios until the summer of 2015. That summer I began my pre-professional training where for the next three years I studied under the guidance of former principal dancer, Deborah Hadley. During those incredible years I had the opportunity to attend ballet intensives at Ballet West in Salt Lake City Utah and, Ballet Austin in Austin Texas, both of which are professional ballet companies.

My extensive ballet experience in combination with my college education has led me to believe greatly in integrating elements of physiology, sports science, and psychology into the way ballet is traditionally taught all while continuing to honor the centuries old traditions that give classical ballet its charm.

Luke Conboy: 124 Beginning Tennis

My name is Luke Conboy I am currently a freshman pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at WSU. I was born and raised in eastern Washington, graduating from Columbia Basin College with an associate’s degree well also attending Hanford Highschool.

I have played tennis for over 9 years, at three different clubs under many different tennis pros. Playing one year of high school varsity tennis and one year of JV tennis due to school and COVID.

I also have many years of experience in karate, having earned my first-degree black belt, and competing in many national and international tournaments

Marie Benedetti: 125 intermediate Tennis

My name is Marie Benedetti, and I am a first year Sport Management Graduate Student here at WSU! I am from South Carolina, and I earned my bachelor’s degree at Clemson University. I currently work as a Graduate Assistant for UREC, and I hope to work in collegiate recreation or intercollegiate athletics after I graduate. Some of my hobbies include playing tennis, pickleball, and softball, going to concerts, hiking, and thrifting! I am excited to teach Intermediate Tennis because I have a passion for helping people improve their tennis game, introducing the sport to others, and providing a fun way for students to be active during the day.

Avery Vander Veen: 130 Beginning Volleyball

My name is Avery Vander Veen and I am currently a senior at WSU majoring in kinesiology and minoring in strength and conditioning along with fine art. Some of my hobbies include playing the tenor saxophone, drawing, and playing sports, specifically volleyball!

I have been playing volleyball competitively for 9 years now and have played each position within a competition at least once. Over the years I have developed a passion for the sport and the fun that comes with it! This makes me so excited to be teaching this beginning volleyball course for the first time.

I believe activity and movement should be something to enjoy and I hope to help others find the fun in movement through my future career and this class. I hope to help students learn the basic skills of volleyball, find enjoyment in playing the sport, and find joy in movement in general through this course!

Riley Monan: 131 Intermediate Volleyball

Welcome, my name is Riley Monan and I will be your instructor for this semester’s intermediate volleyball, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:10-12:00 pm, located in Bohler 125. Before we dive into volleyball this semester let me start off by introducing myself.

I am a junior here at WSU and an undergraduate student majoring in Sociology. I grew up my whole life in Lynnwood, Washington and now reside in Pullman with my dog Finn. I started playing volleyball when I was little (around the age of 6) and then played club volleyball till I was 18 playing for two different clubs located on the west side of Washington (NW Jrs and Washington Volleyball Academy or WVBA). I worked as an assistant coach for 2 years and then coached a national level 15’s team this past COVID year. I also have worked at the Seattle Public Schools district at Nathan Hale High School where I was the JV and C-team coach for the 2020 season. I am also CPR/AED certified through the Red Cross Association and I also have taken a class on taping/treating injuries.

Here at WSU, I have also been a part of the Women’s Club Volleyball team for 2 years and this year, I am the team’s president. As president you plan every practice, schedule scrimmages, plan tournament information, coach as well as respect fellow teammates, and more. My goal as your instructor this semester will be to teach you the basic fundamentals of volleyball, rules, but also to gain a wide understanding of the game of volleyball while following the rules of safety. My mission statement will be to have compassion for all students no matter their skill level and to let students know it’s okay to ask for help, and lastly to not expect perfect results but right away, practice makes perfect.

Other passions I have besides volleyball are hiking and doing outdoorsy things such as snowboarding, wakeboarding, inner-tubing, but especially hiking. Something else really important to me is that I am a dog mom of one. His name is Finn and he is a Bernese Mountain Dog, who is just a large baby who loves cuddles. Being active, staying healthy, being safe and listening to your body is most important. I have coached all ages from kindergarteners to college students and I am looking forward to coaching you all to be better volleyball players throughout this semester. Go Cougs!

Mackenzie Kinsey: 133 Intermediate Soccer

Hi, my name is Kenzie, I am a senior here at WSU, studying and double majoring in Criminal Justice and French along with being in the Honors college. I have two orange twin tabby’s named Achilles and Osiris. I come from Middle Eastern descent. I am currently an instructor for intermediate soccer. I have been playing soccer since I was 3-years-old. The motivation with the game that creates a drive and adrenaline on and off the field with this game. The life of soccer for 15 years had been nothing but pure joy, and I love the game, honing the skills and improving accuarcy. Catch me at Play Valley doing exactly that on me free time!

Robin Jeffry: 135 Beginning Fencing and 136 Intermediate Fencing

Hi! My Name is Robin Jeffry, I’m from San Francisco, California. I’m currently pursuing a double major in sport management and mathematics with a focus on statistics. When I’m not studying or working, I love to play basketball and go to the gym. I’m also a big Magic the Gathering player and play lots of video games too.

I started fencing saber when I was 8 and began competing at the age of 10. I have competed both internationally and nationally and was at one point ranked in the top 10 in the nation. Through fencing I’ve gotten the opportunity to compete and train in incredible places like Hungary, Germany, China and Mexico. After graduating high school, I began to work as a fencing coach at the program where I had previously trained, SF Youth Fencing in San Francisco.

I like to hangout on campus to study, workout and spend time with my friends. I’m often at the Magic the Gathering club and I currently volunteer doing the game stats for the women’s soccer games. If you see me on campus make sure to say hi!

Jacob Mickelson: 137&139 Beginning and Intermediate Bowling

My name is Jacob Mickelson. I bowled on the WSU bowling club team. I have been bowling since I was able to walk. I started bowling competitively when I turned 15. I have bowled a professional event and numerous country wide amateur tournaments against some of the best bowlers in the US. I am a certified bowling coach through the USBC.

Yuki Tanaka: 168 Zumba

My name is Yuki Tanaka who will be your Zumba instructor for this semester. I’ve been teaching Zumba for 5 years. Meantime, I’m a wife and mother of 12 years old daughter who is always full of energy like me. I love dancing, especially Latin dance because it gives off good vibes and keeps me up for my daily life. Outside of dancing, I love playing volleyball, but also like cooking, baking, crafting, photographing, etc. I’m so excited to be a part of this program dancing with you. I hope the Zumba class adds spark to you and something meaningful for your life.

Kasey Thomas: 174 Plates

My name is Kasey Thomas, and I am the instructor for cardio dance. I have been instructing for three years through the UREC and currently teach ballet and contemporary style dance. Through UREC I also obtained a les mills certificate for body combat.

I started dancing at the age of 7 where I danced and competed in a number of styles. Here at WSU I continued dancing for two years as a crimson girl.

I am a kinesiology student here at WSU and am CPR/AED/first aid certified. After I graduate, I plan to get a master in sport psychology.

Outside of dancing I enjoy hiking, baking, and reading.

Dalton Varney: 178 Wrestling

Hello class, my name is Dalton Varney, and I will be your instructor for this Spring semester for class KIN-ACTV 178. I have been at UW for 2 years of schooling and WSU for 3 years now, this is currently my 4th year so far. I have taught wrestling for about 2 years now and have participated in competitions for 9 years of wrestling consecutively. I was born in Bremerton and my hometown is Port Orchard just across the water from Seattle.

I am also an All-American in the year 2017 at Reno-Worlds national tournament taking 5th place. I also earned my first aid certificate just this last summer in the year 2022 in Bremerton Washington. The reason why I teach wrestling is the satisfaction of passing down my knowledge to others and showing the wide many varieties of techniques in collegiate, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling. I specialize in forming a solid defense against my opponents when I wrestle and using the arm bar pinning combination.

With that being said, everyone will have a different and unique style of wrestling to them, some techniques will look similar, but the setup to the technique may be different than others. I value good and honest work in the sport of wrestling and outside of the mat room. The quote that I have from my head coach back in South Kitsap High School is” the perfect practice makes perfect”, this quote initializes the realization of bad habits in wrestling, so to eliminate such bad habits that can lead to injury, it is always best to practice certain techniques perfectly. Another good quote I have is “take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves” as in stating that if you focus on improving the basics of wrestling, the technique used in general will flow just as well in terms of a takedown and pinning combinations.

My hobbies are socializing with friends, playing video games, rock climbing, swimming, wrestling, and working out. My personal and professional goals are to work as a chiropractor in action chiropractic in Port Orchard, Washington, assistant coaching for South Kitsap High School, and become an EMT for the Port Orchard fire department. Before I can go forward with said goals, I will need to focus on graduating from the Kinesiology Bachelor’ program. I am technically the TA for this class, but I will be leading it for the semester, my workplace is going to be in PEB 145.