Jordan Fuglestad started teaching at Elkhorn North High School in 2022. Along with being a science teacher, he took on the role of head Boys and Girls cross country coach.

Since then Fuglestad has led the girls cross country team to success, going 3rd, 2nd, and 1st at the state championship in his past three years of work. The girls cross country team’s first place finish in the 2024 state championship was the first in school history. As a result of his immense hard work, Fuglestad received Girls Cross Country Coach of the year for 2024; a highly deserved achievement. 

Prior to working at Elkhorn North, Fuglestad was a cross country, basketball, and track coach at Millard South. From Millard South he brought coaching skills and tactics that helped lead the girls cross country team to success. 

“You can’t rush improvement,” Fuglestad said. “We focused more on building week after week, and started individualizing [workouts and goals] to each athlete.”  

In doing so, athletes were able to focus on other factors that contributed to their performance. Important components, like sleep and calorie consumption, often are overlooked due to the rigorous sports schedules, however, the girls were able to worry about these components furthering their abilities. 

“Consistency is really important, if you stick with it, you will improve eventually,” senior Anna Ripley said. “He always says control what you can control.” 

 Going through a physically and mentally demanding sport, the girls cross team easily puts their trust in Fuglestad. He continues to individualize for each athlete and provide consistency to each runner.

 In the midst of being a science teacher, Fuglestad actively looks for other ways to improve his coaching, often finding new workouts and mindsets for the girls to follow. 

“He always tells us we don’t need to be stressed,” Ripley said. “There isn’t any pressure because he prepares us really well.” 

Jordan Fuglestad’s work does not go unnoticed by his athletes. He consistently goes above and beyond the expectations of a coach by being a good support system. 

“Fuglestad is very comfortable, and he jokes around a lot,” Ripley said. “It makes the atmosphere very light-hearted and fun.” 

 With the coaching of Fuglestad, the girls cross country team will continue to flourish. 

“He really knows what he’s doing,” senior Avery Melendrez said. “[Fuglestad] puts in hours of research into what we do and it’s obviously led to our success over the past three years.”