Current Staff Bios
Nancy Gehrke, MS, RD, LDN
Camp Nutritionist
Nancy is both the Sterling High School Cross Country and Track Coach and a Registered Dietitian. She manages the Food and Nutrition Services Department for CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL. Nancy practices what she preaches. She qualified to run in the 2009 Boston Marathon.
Nancy works together with the 4-H staff to supply runner specific meal choices for the campers. She will present an interactive program about how to eat to run your best, what & when to drink, pre-race foods, training food,s and what to eat after practice. She will also address nutrient deficiencies, nutrient related injuries, and how to handle weight concerns as a teenage runner. She will also answer any of your food or nutrition concerns.
Nancy has been involved with sports nutrition since before it was popular. She has worked with all levels of athletes. She states "adding the nutrition component can give you the edge over someone that is working as hard as you are. Making wise nutrition changes can give you positive results for all of your cutting-edge training."
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Meghan Braffet, Camp Coach
Head Boys' Track Coach, Louisville High School, Louisville, KY
Meghan is an electrifying young women who is very inspirational. A recent graduate from the University of Maryland in Biology, teaching, and German, she is a driven young woman.
She is a former Illinois all-star who went on to run for the University of Maryland. Meghan became the ACC 10,000 Meter Champion and many time "All ACC" runner. She has been through several injuries over the years, driving her to learn the Narcessian's Multi-Joint approach. She has been injury free ever since. She understands first hand how this program can benefit you as an athlete.
You will not find another as committed and enthusiastic as Meghan. She is a SUB5 original camper and went on to be a SUB5 Counselor for 4 years. This will be her third year as a SUB5 Coach.
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Liz Labuz, Camp Coach
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Liz is a Multi-joint specialist with a degree MIT. She graduated with a structural engineering degree last spring. Liz ran for MIT, leading the team to an 8th place national ranking. In outdoor track, Liz competed in the steeplechase event. Currently, Liz is wokring on her masters degree at Lehigh University.
Liz was a SUB5 camper for 2 years and has been a counselor for 5 years. Liz serves as our checks and balance staffer becuase she is always perfecting what we do. She challenges the campers and the staff to be the best we can be. Year after year her campers have loved having Liz as a counselor. She goes above and beyond, and inspires campers to do the same.
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Counselor Ryan Eichelberger
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Ryan is a very spirited young women who has a strong desire to win. Ryan was one of Illinois' top female distance runners as a high schooler. She joins one of a select few to be a four time all-stater in cross country. She finished 2nd her freshman, sophomore, and senior year, and 3rd her Junior year. Ryan holds school records in the three-mile (17:38), 3,200-meter (11:03) and 1,600-meter (5:07). She is a four-time all-state performer in the 3,200-meter, and three-time all-state in the 1600-meter.
Ryan started using the Multi-joint power program in the summer of 2009. She has found tremendous success in just her first season. Ryan is eager to teach it to you this summer.
Ryan is a four time camper and a 3 time counselor. She creates a fun motivating cabin environment for each of her campers, who request her year after year. If you in Ryan's cabin, look out! You are in for an exciting session.
BIO from SIU:
2008-09: Competed in six meets during the season...NCAA Regionals qualifier in 2008...Posted a ninth place finish at the SIU Early Bird and a 13th place finish at the Saluki Invitational
2007-08: Ran in seven cross country meets and qualified for the NCAA Regionals in 2007...Finished a season-best sixth at the SIU Early Bird
Pre-SIU: Four-time all-state cross country selection...finished second in the state cross country meet as a sophomore...holds school records in the three-mile (17:38), 3,200-meter (11:03) and 1,600-meter (5:07)...four-time all-state performer in the 3,200-meter...three-time all-state in the 1600-meter.
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Counselor Amanda Labuz
Saint Louis University
Amanda was a camper for 5 years, including a Junior Counselor in 2007. She has been a counselor in 2008 and 2009. You will not meet a more inspirational young woman than Amanda. She quickly became a camper favorite.
Amanda has used the Multi-joint power training program for five years. She is one of the best teachers of the program. Amanda has been invaluable to the SUB5 staff.
PERSONAL BESTS
4K (cross country) - 15:35.82 (2007 WU Early Bird Meet)
5K (cross country) - 19:30.93 (2007 Brooks Memphis Twilight)
6K (cross country) - 23:34 (2007 Bradley XC Classic)
3,000 meters (indoor) - 11:10.64 (2008 Gladstein Invite)
5,000 meters (indoor) - 21:03.52 (2008 EIU Mega Meet)
5,000 meters (outdoor) - 19:34.79 (2008 WU Invite)
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Counselor Stephanie Brown
University of Arkansas
Stephanie was a five time camper and junior counselor for SUB 5. If you want to be challened and have a lot of laughs, Stephanie is your counselor. She is one of the most accomplished athletes to be a product of SUB 5. The camp program has kept her coming back to inspire more runners.
Tri Valley HS: Personal Best of 2:07.81 in the 800 meters, 4:48.27 in the 1,600 meters and 4:50.12 in the mile. At the 2009 Arkansas High School Invitational, she won the mile in a time of 5:07.19, her then-personal best, and won the 800 meters with a then-personal best of 2:08.41. In 2008, Brown broke the 20-year-old Illinois Class A State Championships record in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:10.96. She became the third girl in Class A history to win the 800 meters three times.
In 2009, Brown became the first girl to win four state 800-meter titles. She picked up her fourth title with a time of 2:09.12 to break her own state championships record. She also claimed the 2009 state title in the 1,600 meters with a time of 5:01.50. Her 2008 season-best 800 meters of 2:08.1 indoors was the nation's 13th fastest. She also placed second in 2008's state championship 1,600 meters with a time of 5:08.05. She was a member of the state champion 4x800-meter relay that broke the state record with a time of 9:23.93. She split a time of 2:06.3.
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Counselor Sam Learch
University of Arkansas
2008: Samantha Learch made her Arkansas debut at the Memphis Twilight Classic where she finished 17th overall with a 5,000-meter time of 19:11.66. She was Arkansas' sixth runner and earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors. At the Bill Dellinger Invitational, she finished 53rd overall with a time of 22:16.67 for 6K. She was Arkansas' seventh runner at the SEC Championships with a 6K time of 21:46.51, earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. She finished the season at the NCAA Championships with a time of 22:34.3.
AT BARRINGTON HS: She was a four-time all-conference, all-area and all-state honoree while running for Barrington High School. She competed at Nike Nationals and was named MVP of her team. During the 2007 cross country season, she led her team to a runner-up finish at the state championships and was named all-state. On the track, she competed in distances from 100 meters to the mile. She holds the high school stadium records in the 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters and 4x400-meter relay. She was a two-time state champion as a member of the 4x800-meter relay, setting a state record in 2008. In 2007, she led her team to the state championships title and a runner-up finish in 2008. As a senior, she earned the Coaches Award and the Athlete of the Meet Award.
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Counselor Hannah Hottle
Augustana College
Hannah is one of Augustana's top runners. She was a five time counselor at SUB 5, and this will be her third year as a counselor. Hannah was an All State Illinois Cross Country runner and a state 4x800 relay champion. Hannah has etched her name into the SUB 5 camp history while attending as a camper, and is now digging in deeper. She is a fun and intelligent young woman, and you are in for a treat if you are in her cabin.
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Beth Arey (Baysor)
Beth was one of the top 800 meter runners in the collegiate field, and graduated from Louis University in Romeoville, IL. She is currently running for a Nike farm team in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Beth holds an impressive PR in the 800 meters at 2:06. She also coaches a men's high school team in Chicago, IL, where she works as a specialty guidance counselor. She is married to Scott Arey and have a new addition, baby Katie.
Beth will be at camp to answer questions regarding running for a university, and understand the process for becoming a college athlete. Beth is a resource you don't want to miss if you are getting close to graduation!