Our Staff
Hockey
Aaron Olson
Director of Hockey Operations
Contact: aaron.olson@valleysports.academy
Aaron's player development and coaching philosophy is to always focus on getting players ready for their next level, developing their skills in game-like situations with creativity and hockey sense. He sets out to teach individual skills, develop those skills with small area games, and perfect them with game-like situations and drills. Being a part of a team builds self-confidence and social skills — developing not just the player, but the whole person.
Aaron is excited for the future of VSA, where there are infinite possibilities to develop offerings and serve the community to help players and coaches reach their goals and beyond.
Baseball
Preston Benedict
Director of Player Development
Contact: preston.benedict@valleysports.academy
Originally from Madison, WI and a graduate of UW-Eau Claire in 2021. When not coaching baseball, Preston enjoys musky fishing on the lake up in Eagle River, WI.
- Bachelor's in Physics/Math Education
- 4 years math & physics teacher at Chippewa Falls High School (2021–2025)
- 4 years assistant coach at Eau Claire Memorial High School (2019–2022)
- 2 years assistant coach at Chippewa Falls High School (2023–2024)
- Current assistant coach at Eau Claire North High School
- Rapsodo Pitching Certified (2022)
- Driveline Pitching Certified (2023)
- Arm Care specialist & biomechanist through Dr. Ryan Crotin & ArmCare.com (2024)
Tyson LaPoint
Instructor/Coach
Areas of Instruction: Hitting, Fielding, Pitching
Tyson LaPoint has been a part of VSA since the doors opened. Originally training there, he has now stepped into a coaching role. He has a strong foundation in coaching youth baseball and continues to grow. He currently coaches one of our summer travel teams and offers lessons outside of that. Tyson values the relationships he builds with his players more than anything.
- 2-Time All-Conference Honoree, Rice Lake High School
- 2 years of collegiate baseball at Augsburg University
- Coaches local youth teams
- Coach of VSA Travel Team
Brady Johnson
Instructor
Areas of Instruction: Infield Skills
Brady Johnson is a dedicated baseball coach with collegiate pitching experience and a strong foundation in player development. A student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Brady brings firsthand knowledge of the demands of college baseball and applies it to helping athletes refine their skills and confidence on the field.
- Pitched at the collegiate level
- University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
ADAM LAROCK
Coach/Instructor
Areas of Instruction: Hitting, Fielding, Pitching, Catching
Adam LaRock is a versatile baseball instructor with experience competing at the Division I collegiate level. His background across multiple college programs gives him a broad perspective on player development and the demands of high-level baseball. Adam enjoys working with athletes of all positions and focuses on building strong fundamentals that translate to game situations.
- Played at Eau Claire North and made the State Tournament in 2016 as a 2-time All-Conference Player
- Played at the University of Iowa, Madison College, and UW-Milwaukee
- Participated in the 2017 NCAA Tournament after winning the Big Ten Tournament at Iowa
- Named North Central Community College Conference MVP in 2019
- Both pitched and played the field at UW-Milwaukee
- Played for the Eau Claire Express for 3 seasons
Thomas Richter
Instructor
Areas of Instruction: Catching, Hitting, Fielding
Thomas Richter is a knowledgeable baseball instructor with a strong coaching background and a focus on athlete development at multiple levels. He is currently a student coach at UW–Stout and has experience coaching both local and travel baseball programs. Thomas brings a well-rounded, intentional approach to training, combining on-field skill development with mental performance principles.
- Current Student Coach at UW–Stout
- Experience coaching multiple levels of local and travel baseball
- MPM Certified Athlete through Brian Cain's certification course
- National Green 13 Leadership Award Recipient
CARTER GUNDERSON
Instructor
Areas of Instruction: Pitching, Hitting (Youth), Infield Skills (Youth)
Carter Gunderson is a high-level baseball instructor with competitive playing experience and a passion for developing young athletes. He is a current pitcher at Rock Valley Community College, bringing firsthand knowledge of advanced pitching mechanics and performance at the collegiate level. Carter's background as a championship athlete and multi-time all-conference honoree allows him to relate to players while teaching the skills needed to compete at the next level.
- Current Pitcher, Rock Valley Community College
- Transfer from Northern Iowa Area Community College (1 season)
- 4-Time All-Conference Honoree, Eleva-Strum High School
- 2024 WIAA State Champion, Eleva-Strum Baseball
- Recorded pitching velocity up to 92 MPH
- Pitching Coach: Youth through High School
- Hitting Coach: Youth Athletes
- Infield Coach: Youth Athletes
Softball
Hannah RItter
Director of Softball/Baseball Operations
Areas of Instruction: Hitting, Catching, Mental Approach
- 2x World Series Appearances
- All-Time Hits Leader (WIAC & UWO)
- 3x UWO Team Captain
- IHSA State Champion (2017)
Soccer
Jack LeZalla
Director of Soccer Coaching
Contact: jack.lezalla@valleysports.academy
Originally from St. Michael, Minnesota, Jack began playing club soccer for STMA United before playing for Twin Cities Fire. He went on to play one season at Northern Michigan University before transferring to the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Midway through his college career he discovered that coaching was his true passion.
Jack is a passionate young coach looking to make an important impact in the area and is very involved within the soccer community in the Chippewa Valley.
Josh Ranft
Director of Soccer Operations
Contact: josh.ranft@valleysports.academy
Josh was born in Milwaukee, WI and moved to Eau Claire in 2019. After playing soccer throughout childhood and high school, he started coaching the same year he moved to the Chippewa Valley. He is currently working on obtaining his USSF D License.
In addition to coaching youth soccer, Josh is the General Manager of Union des Bateaux FC, a men's amateur soccer club based in Eau Claire. Starting as a player in 2019, he moved into a coaching role in 2020 and the GM role in 2023. As coach, UDBFC won the Wisconsin Primary Amateur Soccer League from 2020–2022. As GM, the club added a second team and joined the United Premier Soccer League in 2023, with a third team added in 2025. The club's main focus is to provide players growing up in Eau Claire a clear pathway to the adult game.
- Boys' Varsity Assistant Coach, Eau Claire Memorial High School (Fall 2024–present)
- Girls' JV Head Coach, Eau Claire Memorial High School (Spring 2024–present)
- U12–U16 Boys Coach, Eau Claire United SC (2019–20)
- U14–U15 Boys Coach, Eau Claire United SC (2022–23)
Grace Peed
Skills Coach
Grace is originally from DeKalb, Illinois and a recent graduate of Northern Illinois University with a degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Coaching. She played at both the club and college level and brings 2+ years of youth coaching experience. Grace recently made the move back to the Chippewa Valley and is excited to be a part of the Valley Sports Academy and Guardians SC team!
Strength & Conditioning
NATE CUSTER
Sports Performance Coach
Originally from Chippewa Falls, Nate played football, baseball, and basketball at Chippewa Falls High School before attending the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where he played 4.5 years of football and earned a BS in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Strength and Conditioning. After graduating in December 2023, he went on to intern with the Wisconsin Badgers football strength and conditioning program.
Nate developed a passion for helping people get the most out of themselves through his experience in college sports and is excited to bring directed, intentional training to athletes and adults in the Chippewa Valley.
- BS in Kinesiology, Strength and Conditioning emphasis — UW-Whitewater
- 4.5 years collegiate football, UW-Whitewater
- Strength & Conditioning Intern, Wisconsin Badgers Football
Administrative
CHASE HOOPLE
General Manager
Contact: chase.hoople@valleysports.academy
Chase is a Chippewa Falls native with a passion for giving back to the Chippewa Valley. A multi-sport athlete growing up, he played hockey, baseball, and golf at Chippewa Falls Senior High School before going on to play 4 years of collegiate golf. He has since gotten into coaching hockey, working with players ranging from 10U through high school.