Coaches
Mark Zenk
High School Head Coach
23rd Year at Mankato West
11th Season
Coach Zenk was the main advocator to start the Mankato West Robotics program eleven years ago. He has been the coach since day one and enjoyed every minute. Coach Zenk has witnessed the program grow from one team of six students in year one to 9 teams with 47 students this season. Coach Zenk’s main goal of every season is to promote VEX Robotics to schools and the community all around MN. Coach Zenk also strives to run a quality regional tournament in Mankato every year and helping mentor other Event Partners to run their own tournaments. The goal for all the teams is to compete at a high level and reach the MN state tournament and qualify for the World Championships in Dallas, TX.
Kristen Olinger
Middle School Head Coach
4th Season
Coach Olinger is in her fourth year of coaching Robotics, she does most of her work with the high school teams. She teaches Business Education at Central High School, and wants to help the middle schoolers develop good skills like managing tasks and being organized.
Mike Lord
High School Assistant Coach
5th Season
Mike has worked at Ford Motor Company for 14 years, on automated machines and robots. He has also worked on factory maintenance for 33 years. He has been a hospice volunteer. He enjoys volunteering in the classroom for engineering, robotics, and mechatronics. He wants to help support the Vex Robotics teams in any way possible.
Rachel Arndt
High School Assistant Coach
3rd Season
Returning for her 3rd year of coaching as a graduate from the West Vex robotics program is Rachel Arndt. After graduating from West, she continued her education at South Central College completing the Mechatronics A.A.S. program. While working full time she decided to pursue her B.S. degrees in Operations Management from MSU Moorhead. She applies concepts from both her degrees in her coaching strategies. Coach Rachel competed in Vex for 3 years ending her competition career down at world’s winning the Design award with her team Kabuum. Her goal is to encourage and challenge kids to make effective and strategic decisions both on and off the competition field.
