Katie Ohlund - Cougar Dance Team Head Coach

Coach Katie began competitive dance and gymnastics at the age of 5. In high school, she was a 3 year member, captain and choreographer of a local high school dance team. Katie was also a 3 year member and captain of the nationally ranked St. Cloud State University Dance Team. While she was a captain her junior year in college, the team received a paid bid to UDA Nationals and placed 2nd at the UDA National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, Florida. The team also took home the first place titles at the UDA Spirit of America Championship and the Winter Carnival Competition. Katie has been a choreographer for several high schools in Iowa and had held private technique clinics for high schools in the Midwest. She graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and a minor in International Business. Prior to coaching, Katie had been a judge for the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and a member of the Judges Association of Minnesota Dance Teams (JAM) since 1999. She served on the JAM Board of Directors from 2006-2009 and was re-elected to serve again from 2010-2014. Katie Ohlund is the former President of JAM and recently served as a MSHSL Dance Team Rules Coordinator. She began judging at the State Dance Team tournament in 2004 and has served as a Superior Judge and the Assistant Supervisor of Officials at the State Tournament. Coach Katie was honored to be chosen as the Minnesota Association of Dance Team (MADT) Rookie Coach of the Year for the 2018-2019 season.

Katie has taught dancers ages 2 through adult and prides herself on being a well-rounded, versatile instructor. She has taught competitive jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical and high kick. Coach Katie loves getting to know her students and combines her passion for dance with her love for people. In her spare time, Katie enjoys spending as much time as possible with her husband Jade, and her two kids, Jack and Lauren and their mini-Aussiedoodle Hazel.

Frankie Stocker - Varsity Assistant

Coach Frankie is originally from Faribault, MN and she has been dancing for 21 years. She began at a local studio in her hometown and went on to dance for the Faribault Emeralds dance team for 6 seasons. While on the team, Frankie served as a captain for 2 years, she was part of the Wells Fargo All-Tournament team as a junior and she was named All-Conference for 3 consecutive seasons. Following high school, Frankie went on to coach the Emerald varsity program for three years. She was the head coach for the New Prague dance team for 1 year and she has now found her home as a varsity assistant for the Cougar Dance Team! Coach Frankie has a track record for success, making nine state tournament appearances as a coach with two top three finishes. Along with coaching dance team, Frankie has taught for several years at local dance studios in various styles.

Outside of dance, Frankie is working as a Registered Nurse in the labor and delivery unit at Northfield Hospital. She is married to her wonderful husband Jacob, and they 3 have a sweet kids, Sullivan (Sully), Helena (Lainey) and Bennett. They love their fur babies - a miniature Schnauzer, Marlee and their mini Goldendoodle, Mabel. Coach Frankie loves to spend time outdoors, hiking and kayaking. Frankie can’t wait to get the season started and see what the new year has in store for CDT!

 Jordyn Krouch - Varsity Assistant

Coach Jordyn began dancing at age 4 as a competitive dancer at Premiere Dance Academy in Prior Lake and Studio 4 in Burnsville. Jordyn was a 4 year member of the Prior Lake Dance Team where she was a varsity captain both her junior and senior years. Jordyn graduated from the University of Missouri in 2016 with a degree in Journalism. While in college, she spent four years teaching dancers ages 3-18 at Dance Arts Studio in Columbia, MO. She then returned to Minnesota and was an assistant coach for the Burnsville Blazettes Fall Team in 2016 and 2017. Coach Jordyn married her high school sweetheart, Cedrik, in October 2022. Jordyn and Ced are proud parents to the sweetest boy, Graham, born in November 2024 and a mini Goldendoodle named Freddie, after Freddie Mercury. Coach Jordyn loves having the opportunity to work with dancers and watch them grow as athletes and as people. This is her eighth year with the Lakeville South coaching staff and she couldn't be more excited for another great year with the Cougar dance family!

Jessica Huss - JV Head Coach

Hailing from Burnsville, Jess and her adorable furry roomie Miley, live in a condo in the heart of the city. Dance has been part of Jess’ life since she was three. She is a Lakeville high school graduate and a dance team alumni, captain and all conference dancer. Coach Jess is also a University of North Dakota graduate, where she danced on the Fighting Sioux dance team. While in college, she coached a team of five girls in a small town outside of Grand Forks – they placed 4th in state. An admitted shopaholic, Jess is always planning, organizing or shopping for her next vacation – an essential element to her happiness. Jess is a firm believer in having fun. She believes when you enjoy life, people find it contagious. She wants to inspire and motivate people to do their best through dance and life. Winning will come and go but how you enjoy the ride is what is most important in her book. Success is a wonderful goal but Jess’ purpose as a coach is to demonstrate that being a part of a loving and caring team is an experience that will last a lifetime. She is a Talent Acquisition Specialist in Intermediate School District 917 by day but Jess has been coaching in Shakopee for fall the past seven years. Coach Jess is excited for her fifth year with the Cougar Dance Team. LET'S GO COUGARS!

Abbie DiTolla - JVB Head Coach/JV Assistant

Coach Abbie grew up in Lakeville, MN and graduated from Lakeville North High School in 2016. In high school, Abbie was a four year varsity member and senior captain of the Lake Liner Dance Team. Abbie has been dancing since she was four years old and is so excited to continue her dance career as a coach! After high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated in May 2020 with a degree in Mathematics. Abbie is now a graduate student at the University of Minnesota working to earn her Masters of Education for Secondary Mathematics. In August of 2023, Coach Abbie married her high school sweetheart, Alex! Outside of teaching and coaching, Abbie loves spending time with her friends and family, and especially with her dogs, Quinn and Penny. After spending a few years away from home, Abbie could not be more excited to continue coaching with the amazing dancers and coaches of CDT!

Linnea Tureson - Varsity and JV Assistant

Linnea began dancing at 3 years old at South Metro Dance Arts Center in Lakeville where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and contemporary. She began competitively dancing at the age of 5 and went on to win several national championships throughout her 15 years as a studio dancer. Linnea is a Cougar Dance Team alumni and graduated in 2023 from Lakeville South High School. She was a 4 year varsity member and 2 year captain of the Cougar Dance Team. Throughout her years on CDT, she has won 3 All Conference awards and represented the team as an All State Jazz dancer for 3 years. Outside of dance, Linnea attends the University of Minnesota where she studies Psychology. She enjoys spending time outside with friends, family, and her dog Max. Linnea’s goal as a coach is to help each dancer achieve their full potential in a fun and positive environment. This will be Linnea’s third year coaching at Lakeville South and she can’t wait to see what the new season brings!

Lauren Ocken - Varsity Assistant

Coach Lauren grew up dancing at Premiere Dance Academy in Prior Lake. Along with studio dance, Lauren was part of the varsity Cougar Dance Team all four years of her high school career and was a captain her senior year. Lauren competed at the Miss Dance Team MN competition and was honored to be chosen as part of Team Minnesota for two years. After high school, Lauren went on to dance at Minnesota State University, Mankato (Go Mavs!) where she won a National Championship.

Lauren is currently a Registered Nurse, working at Fairview Ridges Hospital. We are so excited to have Coach Lauren back with CDT for her 2nd season! She is such an excellent mentor and coach.

Tori Wacholz - JV Assistant

We are so excited to welcome Coach Tori back to CDT! She grew up in Lakeville and graduated from Lakeville South in 2016. She grew up dancing at Studio 4 and was part of the Cougar Dance Team during her high school years. She loved her time on the team and was a captain of CDT her senior year! After high school, Tori attended Drake University and studied Health Sciences. At Drake, she was a dance team captain, sang in the A capella group and ran The Dance Marathon fundraiser on campus. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Coach Tori went on to grad school and is now an Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant at a local hospital. She married her high school sweetheart, Blake, in 2023 and they’re enjoying life together in the North Loop, Minneapolis.

When she’s not working, catch Coach Tori at a concert, reading, trying new restaurants and travelling. She is so excited to be back in the dance world and to get to know the current CDT roster. Once a Cougar, always a Cougar!

Elliana Pettis - Varsity Assistant

Coach Ellie’s dance journey began at the age of 3. She grew up dancing competitively at Dance Works Performing Arts Center. In addition to studio dance, Ellie was also part of the Lakeville North Dance Team for 3 years. She was named to the MADT All-State jazz team her junior and senior years of high school, and she was also chosen as a captain of the Lake Liners her senior year.

Coach Ellie is a current member and captain of the Minnesota State University - Mankato dance team. She has 5 national titles under her belt as part of the Maverick dance team - Go MAVS! She is studying Business Marketing with a minor in Graphic Design at MNSU. We are so excited to have Coach Ellie on our staff this year and can’t wait to see her on the other side of the coaches table.

Gabbie Nygren - JVB/JV Assistant

Welcome back to CDT, Coach Gabbie! She is beyond excited to come back and coach the team as an alumni of CDT. She grew up dancing in local studios, starting at the age of 3. She began her journey at DanceWorks Performing Arts Center and also dance at South Metro Dance Arts Center. Gabbie was part of the Cougar Dance Team for 4 years, where she danced on both the varsity jazz and varsity kick teams.

After high school, Coach Gabbie went on to dance at St. Cloud State University for 3 years. Go Huskies! After moving back to the area, she began working in substance abuse residential treatment centers. She is now a Mental Health Case Manager in a non-residential setting. Recently, Gabbie trained with the MN Vikings Cheerleaders and the MN Timberwolves as a finalist during both 2025-2026 audition processes. We are so excited to have you back, Coach! Your passion and grit is undeniable and we can’t wait to see you pass that along to CDT.

Ella Hendrickson - Assistant Coach

Coach Ella is so excited to be joining the Lakeville South CDT family! She started dancing at the age of 5 and moved into competitive dance at Spotlight Productions Dance Studio when she was 9 years old. In addition to studio dance, Ella was a member of the Eagan Dance Team for 4 years and was also chosen as a captain her senior year of high school. She was honored to be part of the MADT All-State kick team her junior year of high school and the MADT All-State jazz team her senior year.

Throughout her high school years, Coach Ella competed at the Miss Dance Team Minnesota competition. She placed 1st in her age group her freshman, sophomore and junior years and was 3rd her senior year in the Miss Division! She was also a 3 year member of the incredible Team Minnesota, competing at the national Miss Dance and Drill Team competition each year in California. While competing at the national level, Ella was awarded the title of Teen Miss Dance and Drill Team USA!

Ella is a current member of the University of St. Thomas Dance Team, where she is studying Exercise Science. ROLL TOMS! We are so happy to have you in our Cougar family, Coach. We can’t wait to work with you!