Coaches

MICHELE SPEAR-COWELL- PROGRAM DIRECTOR/COACH

Michele Spear-Cowell, Program director, began ski racing at age 8. She grew up learning to ski and ski race here at Brantling. Her racing career took her to many different ski areas and parts of the country for competitions and fun.

In high school she was Section V and NY State champion in 2007, also overall winner of Empire State Games 2007. She then went on to race for Colby-Sawyer College in NH. There she helped her team win regional titles 2008 and 2009, 2nd and 3rd place overall at USCSA National championships 2008 and 2009 respectively.

After college Michele attended Clarkson University where she earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She returned to the Rochester area working as a Physical therapist and returned to Brantling as a coach. Over the years Michele has coached many young athletes who have had local and regional successes. Michele's most favorite part of coaching is helping young athletes fall in love with the sport of skiing.

Off the slopes you can find Michele running, biking, or hiking. In the summer she enjoys competing in triathlons around the finger lakes and boating in Sodus Bay with friends and family.

ALEX ROSS - COACH

Coach Alex is thrilled to join the Brantling Team this year! She has a local background in skiing and competitive experience at St. Bonaventure University. Coach Alex brings a wealth of expertise to the program.
As a certified Level 200 Coach with nine years of experience coaching at Bristol Mountain Race Club and Loveland Ski Club in Colorado, Alex is dedicated to athlete development. She emphasizes building confidence through strong fundamentals, a positive coaching approach, and fostering an enjoyable and motivating environment for her athletes.

DEVON TUNLEY - COACH

Devon Tunley, coach, learned to ski at Brantling when he was 10 years old. He joined the race team in his teenage years and has been skiing at Brantling ever since.

The skills he developed and the love he has for the sport have taken him skiing across the country. After attending SUNY Morrisville, Devon moved to Colorado and helped teach many kids and adults of all ages to become stronger skiers.

His favorite part about teaching and coaching is watching new skiers gain the fundamental knowledge and grow their confidence in the sport, as well as in themselves. Since returning to Wayne County, he has assisted with coaching the Wayne Central varsity ski team and has continued to spread his passion for skiing and ski racing to anyone who will listen.

If there is snow on the ground, you’ll find Devon skiing with any free time he has. He enjoys to ski with his three younger siblings, who also grew up attending Brantling’s skiing and racing programs. If there is no snow, he is either on a golf course or fishing in a stream somewhere.

BRIAN BROTSCH - COACH

Brian Brotsch, coach, learned to ski when he joined his Middle School Ski Club in 4th grade and has been skiing ever since. As a teenager, he raced for both his high school and college teams, with some of his fondest memories coming from practicing at Brantling.

Life led Brian to Colorado, where his love for the sport only deepened. He spent six years skiing the Rockies. However, his family business brought him back to the Rochester area. When it came time to introduce his own children to the joys of skiing, there was no doubt that Brantling would be their mountain of choice. Over the past decade, Brian's children have become members of Brantling's Skiing and Racing programs. It was through their involvement that Brian's coaching journey began. This year, with his son on the team and his daughter participating in Grizzlies +, Brian took the opportunity to share his passion and expertise with young skiers.

During the off season Brian spends his free time hiking, camping and traveling with his family.