Coaches and Speakers
Jena Winger
Camp DirectorJena is a certified mental performance coach and high school track & field coach, and the Camp Director of Cascadia Running Camp. A lifelong runner, Jena joined her first track team at five years old and went on to compete collegiately as a six-time NCAA Division III National Qualifier, four-time Northwest Conference Champion, and 2008 NWC Athlete of the Meet. Her experiences as an athlete deeply inform her coaching philosophy.
Jena specializes in helping athletes understand how the mind works and how to develop mental skills, such as self-talk, visualization, and emotional regulation, to compete with purpose and presence. She brings experience supporting athletes across a wide range of ability levels, blending evidence-based mental skills training with the joy and challenge of trail running in the Pacific Northwest.
Certified Mental Performance Coach and Performance Visualization Specialist through Positive Performance Training
USTFCCCA Certification: Track & Field, Endurance Specialization
Founder of Wingman Performance Coaching
Former Senior Footwear Product Line Manager at Brooks Running
Willamette University cross-country, track & field; former school record holder (3,000 steeplechase). Major in Exercise Science and minor in Economics
Former running reporter for Runnerspace and Nike
Fun fact: Jena has her FAA Private Pilot certificate for single-engine land planes
Elizabeth Carey
Associate DirectorElizabeth brings a blend of coaching experience, authorship, and advocacy to Cascadia Running Camp. She is the head cross-country and assistant track and field coach at Garfield High School and co-author of Girls Running: All You Need to Strive, Thrive, and Run Your Best, a resource focused on supporting the physical, mental, and emotional development of young runners.
An endurance coach since 2002, she has coached at most levels of the sport, including NCAA programs. She ran Division I cross-country and track for Columbia University, and has worked in many corners of the running and outdoor industry, including journalism, retail, marketing, public relations, community groups, and non-profit initiatives.
Elizabeth earned her master’s in journalism from Syracuse University. Her writing has been published in Runner’s World, Women’s Running, DyeStat, Outside, and The New York Times. A public speaker, she presents at conferences and conventions.
Elizabeth advocates for an athlete-centered approach. She’s committed to creating a healthy, empowering environment, particularly for adolescents navigating sport. Her work emphasizes long-term athlete development, confidence, and sustainable performance.
USATF Level 1 Certified Coach
Safe Sport trained
Four-year distance runner at Columbia University; BA in urban studies and political science
Master’s degree in Magazine, Newspaper and Online Journalism from Syracuse University
Former Editor-in-Chief of Run.com; digital editor of SKI and Skiing magazines
Former Director of the Melody Fairchild Running Camp
Coached Cross Country and Track and Field at Oregon State University and Syracuse University
Fun fact: She’s a proud pug mom
Meaghan McCluskey
Board MemberMeaghan brings a broad and deeply rooted background in the running community to Cascadia Running Camp. She has worked across many facets of the sport, from athlete support and specialty run retail to coaching high school runners, building a well-rounded understanding of what young athletes need to thrive.
Meaghan is currently an assistant coach for both track & field and cross country at her alma mater, Gig Harbor High School. She previously coached as an assistant at Sehome High School and spent formative years immersed in the running culture of Bend, Oregon, where she worked closely with athletes through roles connected to running brands and specialty footwear.
NAIA cross country and track & field athlete at Black Hills State University; BA in English
USTFCCCA certification: Track & Field Endurance Specialization and Technical Certification
Member of the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association Board of Directors
Social media manager and creative marketing entrepreneur with experience building brand presence in the running community
SafeSport trained
Fun fact: Has raced everything from the mile to ultramarathons, experiencing firsthand the unique challenges and joys of every distance in between
Liza Rickey
Board MemberLiza Rickey brings over two decades of educational leadership and 15 years of coaching experience at both the club and high school levels. A former elementary school teacher and principal of 20 years, Liza has dedicated her career to mentoring, supporting, and developing young people both in the classroom and on the track and trail.
As a long time runner, Liza started with a standout high school tenure in a state-winning program, leading to a collegiate career at the University of Washington, where she competed at the NCAA Championships in her senior year.
Since taking over as the Head Cross Country Coach at Issaquah High School in 2020, Liza has built a premier distance program with over 120 athletes annually. Under her leadership, her teams have captured 3 State Titles and finished as State Runner-Up 5 times. She also serves as distance coach for the Issaquah High School track program.
Beyond training and competition, Liza is deeply passionate about holistic athlete health, specializing in fueling for performance and REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) prevention. She regularly presents to teams, coaching clinics, and running camps on these vital topics to empower young athletes with healthy, sustainable athletic habits.
SafeSport Trained
Four year track and cross country runner at UW; BS in Zoology
University of Washington; Masters in Teaching and Danford Leadership Educational Program & School Administration
3-time 4A Washington State Cross Country Coach of the Year
Fun Fact: Liza holds dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland!
Ford Eimon
Ford Eimon has been an assistant cross country and track coach at Bainbridge High School since 2022. A Bainbridge alum, Ford brings both competitive experience and a deep love of the sport to his coaching. He has completed five marathons, including the Boston Marathon, as well as a 50K trail race, and enjoys using running as a way to explore new places—having traveled to 16 countries and counting. Originally drawn to cross country as conditioning for soccer, Ford fell in love with the freedom and versatility running offers, both in sport and in everyday life.
Camp Coach
Jonathan Ericksen
Camp CoachJonathan Erickson has been an assistant cross country coach at North Kitsap High School since 2008, and is a familiar face in the local running community through his leadership at Poulsbo Running. He’s been involved with the North Kitsap program over multiple seasons and is passionate about connecting athletes to the wider running community—racing, volunteering, and showing up when it matters.