Coaches

Coach Berndt has been coaching at Wayzata since the spring of 2003. He will begin his 21st year as the head Wayzata Boys Track & Field coach in 2026. During this time, the Wayzata boys teams have had 38 event Minnesota State Champions (8 relays with 44 different members competing and 30 individual champions), 305 Minnesota All-State athletes (190 in relays 115 in individual events), 182 All-Conference athletes and 311 MN Academic All-State student-athletes. As a team, his teams have won eleven MN State Team Championships, including the 2023, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 State True Team State Championship and the 2018, 2016, 2015 and 2012 Minnesota High School League State Team Championship. In addition, four MN State Meet runner up (2024, 2014, 2011, 2009) and four State True Team runner up (2022, 2021, 2019, 2012) also four third place MN State Meet finishes (2019, 2017, 2013, 2010). The Trojans have claimed ten Conference Team Championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). Coach Berndt is a USATF Level-1 Certified Track & Field coach. He has been selected as the MN Section 6AA/6AAA Coach of the Year eight times (2009, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). Selected as the Minnesota State Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2023 and 2014 in addition to the the USATFCCCA (USA T&F Coaches Association) MN Track & Field Coach of the year in 2018, 2016 and 2015. He was the National High School Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in 2016 and USA T&F Coaches Association (USATFCCCA) National Coach of the Year in 2015. He currently serves as the Past President of the MN T&F Coaches Association and former chair of the MN True Team Committee. Coach Berndt teaches AP European History, World History, and U.S. Military History in the high school (Room C-418). Prior to Wayzata, Coach Berndt ran both Cross Country and Track for the University of North Dakota and was a NCAA All-American in the 800m. He ran for Grand Forks Red River High School winning three ND State titles (400m, 4X400, 4X800) and earning ND All-State in cross country. He is married to Katie, a 2 time NCAA All American in the mile and 4 time NCAA XC national qualifier, with two kids in Wayzata Public Schools. He can be reached at Aaron.Berndt@wayzataschools.org.

Coach Smith is in his eighth year coaching for Wayzata Track & Field coaching the short sprints, long sprints, and sprint relays in 2025.  Coach Smith returned to Wayzata as one of the most decorated athletes in Wayzata Track & Field storied history and still currently holds three school records in addition to many other top 3 event performances in school history. Coach Smith won 5 state event championships and set one Minnesota state record. He ran Track & Field in the Ivy League for Cornell University in Ithaca, New York while earning a business degree. Coach Smith currently is employed by Medtronic and can be reached at mike95asmith@gmail.com.   

Coach Trimberger starts his fifth year coaching the JV sprints for Wayzata in 2026.  Coach Trimberger  Wayzata High School. He is a 11th grade US History teacher in the high school.  In addition to coaching track & field, Coach Trimberger also coaches the 9th football team and mock trial teams. Coach Trimberger is married (Shannon) with two sons, Owen and Tatum. He can be reached at tyler.trimberger@wayzataschools.org 

Coach Popp begins his eighteenth year coaching at Wayzata Track and Field in 2026. During his time as the sprints and later distance coach, Popp coached 102 All State Athletes in the sprints and distances (36 relays and 12 individuals including six event championships in the relays and five runner ups from relays and individuals) and coached all three sprint relay teams to school records (4X200 in 2010, 2012, and 2013 -4X400 in 2011 and 2013 and 4X100 in 2013 and 2019). Coach Popp is also the boys cross country coach in the fall and has transitioned to coaching distance runners full time as the lead distance coach in T&F field as well. In his elevan years as the boys XC coach his teams have finished as MN State Champions in 2023,  2022, 2021, 2017, 2016 as well as runner up in 2025, 2024, and 2015. In six of those years, Wayzata XC club has qualified for the Nike National XC championship in Portland, Oregon. He was named the USATFCCA MN Cross Country Coach of the Year in both 2022, 2017 and 2016. He teaches communications in the high school. Prior to Wayzata, Coach Popp ran both cross country and track at North Dakota State University (North Dakota Agriculture School) in Fargo. He was a multiple All-State runner for Bowman (ND) High School being apart of two ND State Championship Cross Country teams and one ND state title (4X800) in the ND State Track & Field meet. He can be reached at Mark.Popp@wayzataschools.org.

Coach Heebink has been an assistant coach with the distance runners at Wayzata since 2011 and previously coached for 2 years at Watertown-Mayer High School. He ran at Coon Rapids High School and later went to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where he continued to run cross country and track. He continues to run today, having completed over 25 marathons, including 4 Boston Marathons. He can be reached at Brandon.Heebink@wayzataschools.org.

Coach Porter, once a Wayzata Track & Field athlete himself, begins his tenth year as coach of the Trojan throws in 2026. In his first year coaching the throws had the section 6AA champion in both the shot put and discus and has had a number of state qualifiers and place winners since. Coach Porter teaches economics and public policy in the high school. He is also the co-head 9th grade football coach in the fall.  He can be reached at Steven.Porter@wayzataschools.org

Coach Froehling is in his twelfth year coaching both the boys and girls weight throws in 2025. Coach Froehling attended the University of Wisconsin La-Crosse playing four years on the Eagle football team. He threw both the discus and shot put for Farmington High School. In addition to coaching the throws, coach Froehling is an offensive line coach for the Trojans football team as well as a coach with the Trojan Power summer weight lifting program. He can be reached at Benjamin.Froehling@wayzataschools.org.

Coach Clifton is in his 4th year coaching the boys and girls Pole Vault for Wayzata Track & Field. Coach Clifton was a standout vaulter at Buffalo High school earning all state honors. 

Jumps – To be added

Jumps – to be added