Bio

Coach Mike is a native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He grew up on a dairy farm and attended a one room school until high school. He attended Lennox, South Dakota high school where he excelled in Cross Country and Track. He was the South Dakota State A Cross-Country champion in 1974 and held Lennox High School track bests of 800 meters - 2:01.5, 1600 meters 4:23.4 and 3200 meters of 9:37.6. He attended South Dakota State University and was part of two Division II National Cross-country runner up teams (1977,78). He had track bests of 3:54.1 (1500 meters), 14:50.4 (5,000 meters) and 30:29 (10,000 meters) and 2:20:31 for the marathon. He graduated from SDSU with a BS (1980) and MS (1983) in Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

Post college Coach Mike ran for the Brooks shoe company with bests of 30:28 (10K), 47:01(15K), 49:43 (10 mile),1:03:52 (20K), 1 Hour Run 11 miles, 1680 yards, 1:07:00 (1/2 marathon), 2:18:26 (marathon). He qualified for the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Marathon Trials. He retired from competitive running in 1991. After stopping running due to injury, he became a competitive cyclist. As a cyclist, Mike has competed in such events as the 24-hour races, with a personal best of 422 miles. Single crossing of South Dakota (412 miles) 19 hours, 40 minutes. Double crossing of South Dakota (824) miles in 65:35, hours. Race Across the West 860 miles race from Oceanside, CA to Derango, CO (81 hours). Race Across America – 3000 miles, did not finish.

Professionally Coach Mike taught secondary education at a Civilian Conservation Center (Job Corp) from 1983-89. He completed certification by the American College of Sports Medicine as an Exercise Physiologist (1992) and Preventive/Restorative Program Director (1994). He is a Fellow of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. He served as president of both the South/North Dakota and the North Carolina associations of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. He managed Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation programs from 1990 to 2023 when he retired and relocated to the Mars Hill area.

Coach Mike has been married to Karen Dunlap since 1980 and they have three children and two grandchildren.

Coach Mike is grateful to have the opportunity to help athletes meet their spiritual, educational, and athletic goals by sharing his expertise and enthusiasm in a positive way.