Wasatch Freestyle Coaches

JON O’BRIEN

Wasatch Freestyle Director, Former USSA Intermountain Freestyle Champion, USSA Intermountain Team coach, and past Assistant Mogul coach for the US Freestyle Ski Team

Jon has over 30 years experience coaching USSA Freestyle competitors, many of whom have progressed on to the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team or careers as top professional free skiers. In 2022, he was iInducted into YSA Hall of Fame.

Jon was the coach of the British Freestyle Ski Team at the 2002 Winter Olympics and coached the U.S. Jr. Mogul Team at F.I.S. Jr. Worlds. Jon holds a B.A in History and Behavioral Science from Westminster College.

EMERSON SMITH

Head Mogul Coach

Emerson Smith represented team USA as a mogul skier in the 2018 Winter Olympics where he exhibited his extraordinary talents to the world, competing against the best skiers from across the globe. His heart-pounding runs down the treacherous course showcased his mastery of the sport, earning him the admiration of fans and fellow athletes alike.

 

Emerson has over 14 years of mogul skiing experience and is a key addition to our coaching staff at WFF. Emerson actively engages in community initiatives, coaching young talent, and sharing his experiences to encourage the next generation of mogul skiers to reach their full potential.

NIK SEEMANN

Assistant Director

Nik grew up skiing in Winter Park, CO and was one of the youngest aerial athletes to make the US Ski Team, at just 17 years old.   Nik is a 2 time Junior National Aerial Champion and earned 3 top ten World Cup finishes in Korea, Deer Valley and Belarus.

Nik is also the youngest athlete in the world to ever perform a quad twisting triple back flip in competition and one of only 4 US athletes to ever perform a quint twisting triple back flip on snow.

Graduating from the University of Utah in 2021 with honors, Nik loves skiing deep powder and throwing big airs.  Nik’s hobbies are; dirt biking, skateboarding, surfing, snowmobiling and performing big tricks in Flying Ace All-Star ski shows.

KRISITIN ZETZER

Kristin grew up skiing in Colorado and although was not competitive she enjoyed skiing moguls from the age of five. She had the opportunity to get involved with the sport of freestyle moguls when her daughter joined Bridger Ski Foundation in Bozeman MT where Kristin lived for 20 years before heading to Utah. While in Bozeman she was involved in Eagle Mount, a program that works with individuals with special needs. She volunteered with Eagle mount for 7 years in both the skiing and the equestrian program. Kristin was the President of the Freestyle committee at Bridger Ski Foundation for 3 years before heading to Wasatch Freestyle where she was program coordinator for 4 years and is now our Development Director focusing on our weekend program at Deer Valley. Kristin is also the accounts manager.

LUKE O’BRIEN

Terrain Park Coach

Luke is an ex-slopestyle and big air athlete from the Wanterville valley N.H. program. Luke was 3rd at junior nationals in 2015 in big air and 3rd at junior nationals in 2016 in slopestyle.  He skied at the elite level until 18 when he decided to move to Salt Lake City to pursue college. Luke recently graduated from Westminster college with a sports management degree. He is currently working towards building our terrain park program at Woodward. His goal with this program is to get more people involved with freestyle skiing.

RICK SHANOR

Rick is a former top Pro-Mogul Tour competitor, Rick has coached the Intermountain Team at both the Junior and Senior National Championships. He was a USSCA mogul examiner and currently heads up the Wasatch summer water ramp program. Rick has coached at the X-Games, U.S. Free Ski Open and the F.I.S. Junior World Championships in 2011 and 2012. In his free time Rick enjoys skating, surfing and watching MMA, skating and surfing.

DAVE STEARNS

Dave grew up skiing Santa Fe & Taos ski areas in New Mexico. Dave moved to Utah after graduating from Capital High School Santa Fe, NM in 1990. Dave started coaching for the Snowbird Freestyle team in 1996 and has been with Snowbird – Wasatch Freestyle Team ever since. He has also coached for Mt. Hood Summer Ski Camps and directed the Telluride Mountain School Freestyle Team for a season. Dave graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science. Skiing and coaching are a life-long passion for Dave, so when he has a chance to ski, he is very happy to be at the best ski resorts in the country – Snowbird and Deer Valley.

HUNTER BAILEY

Hunter is a former Junior World Champion and National Champion. After securing his spot on the U.S. Ski Team in 2016 with a gold medal at the FIS Junior World Ski Championships, Bailey went on to ski solidly on the NorAm tour and claim both the mogul and dual moguls national titles in 2017. Coached the FIS Level with Park City Ski and Snowboard. Hunter double Majored at the University of Utah graduating with degrees in Fine Arts and Marketing.

JOEL HEDRICK

Former World Cup Skier on the US Ski Team. Coached the FIS Level with Wasatch Freestyle for the 24-25 season. He finished out the 2016 season with three NorAm podiums, including two wins, landing him third in the Grand Prix standings. He finished an impressive 6th place at U.S. Championships in Steamboat Springs, CO before going on to take bronze at Junior Worlds. Hedrick continued to see success in 2017 with a NorAm win and a third place finish in moguls at U.S. Championships. Graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Natural Resource Management.

MORGAN SCHILD

Morgan is a former U.S. Ski Team athlete, whose standout resume includes two World Cup wins and five podiums, a National Championship as well as competing for the U.S. Freestyle team at the 2018 Olympic Games. Morgan has a degree in Psychology from the University of Utah. Coaching experiences on the FIS level with Wasatch Freestyle, Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club and Park City Ski and Snowboard.

MEGAN NICK

 

Megan Nick brought home the Bronze Medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and is a top member of the US Freestyle Aerial Team. Her expertise as a jump coach is a valuable addition to our WFF coaching staff.
Beyond her accomplishments in freestyle aerial skiing, Megan is a role model for aspiring athletes. Her dedication to her sport, her positive attitude, and her work ethic in and outside of sport is an inspiration to young skiers everywhere. She continues to give back to the skiing community, mentoring and coaching the next generation of athletes.
Megan Nick’s journey from the slopes of Vermont to the Olympic podium is a testament to her passion and perseverance. Her story is a reminder that with dedication and a love for what you do, you can achieve your goals. 
BOBBY CARROLL

Bobby is a former Wasatch Freestyle athlete who spent over 23 years in freestyle and was on the development team for the US Ski Team. He has a ton of experience coaching, he has his level 200 Certifications in Moguls and Aerials, he was a former coach for Wasatch and he was the Head FIS Coach for Park City Freestyle.

Bobby has a B.S. degree in Psychology from the University Of Utah and hosts a podcast on success and what drives people to succeed called “In The Arena With Bobby Carroll”.

RIAN ZETZER

Rian is a former Wasatch Freestyle athlete who spent several years competing on the Nor-Am tour before deciding to pursue a career in freeskiing. Rian has been featured in many films, magazines and ads including being the stunt double for Lindsay Lohan in the Netflix Film “Falling For Christmas.” Rian has been coaching with Wasatch Freestyle for several years and has been a huge part of the club’s success.

BROOK LEIGH

Former Junior National Champion and Wasatch Freestyle Alum. Brook has been coaching on the Wasatch Staff for several years and is an extremely valuable member of the Wasatch Freestyle Team. Brook has a passion for teaching and skiing that can be felt throughout the entire club. Brook graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Dartmouth and is currently working on his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Utah.

TREVOR REILLY

Trevor is a former Nor-Am skier and helped coach the Wasatch FIS level for the 24-25 season. Trevor has spent many years in the industry, he has coached for the Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club, Vail Ski Club, Park City Ski and Snowboard Club, and spent a season coaching athletes privately. Trevor has coached several different levels including World Cups, Junior World Championships and the University Games. Trevor just graduated with his masters degree in business from the University of Utah.

WEEKEND PROGRAM STAFF

Coaching Members include US Ski and Snowboard Hall Of Famer Holly Flanders. US Ski Team Members Dave Berry and Alex Lewis. Former Park City Freestyle Director and Head Coach Mick Berry along with several other amazing coaches!