Meet the Coaches
Dana Tessmer is a Dexter High School graduate from 2015. She continued her track and field career in college, pole vaulting at Oakland University while acquiring her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. During college, she started coaching the summer series with Geoff and Janell Gerstner (legends and founders of Up & Running!) and then began coaching at Dexter High School in 2023.
Fun Fact about Dana: She was born to go on Survivor, but cursed with a fear of spiders.
Noah Gary
Bio coming soon!
Josie Mettes is a 2021 Dexter High School graduate and competed in pole vault from 8th grade through her senior year of high school. During her final season, she broke the women’s pole vaut school record (which she held for only a year before her sister came along and broke it again). Josie began working with middle school vaulters during the 2023 spring season and just recently wrapped up her third season as a coach.
Fun Fact about Josie: She grew up an adamant Ohio State fan, but ultimately went to the University of Michigan despite her parents’ plea. Go Bucks! Go Blue!
Maura Lane began her pole vault journey during her junior year of high school, training at Vaulthouse in North Carolina before continuing her track and field career at Eastern Michigan University. In 2024, she began coaching at Lincoln High School and has loved coaching ever since. Her coaching philosophy is that pole vault should always be fun and carefree - even while competing at a high level!
Fun Fact about Maura: She always has a new ‘side quest’ lined up… and somehow, it usually involves running - her least favorite activity.
Wendy Mettes
Bio coming soon!