Mchenry Pack TFCC
FALL CROSS COUNTRY CLUB | Registration | gear store
The McHenry Pack TFCC is run in partnership with The Pack TFCC non-profit organization, which provides affordable opportunities for kids to participate in cross country and track and field at the youth, middle school, and high school levels. Our mission is to build community, teach fundamental skills, and create a fun, welcoming environment where every athlete can develop a lifelong love for running, jumping, and throwing.
Our philosophy emphasizes collaboration between middle school coaches, high school coaches, parents, athletes, and other Pack TFCC clubs. Rather than focusing on high-pressure competition, extensive travel, or elite training, we provide accessible, community-based programming where kids can learn the fundamentals of track and field in a supportive local environment. This camp provides primary service to those in McHenry, Woodstock, Crystal Lake, Cary, Round Lake, and nearby suburbs.
Contact: Executive Director and Lead Coach - Dean Roehrborn, mchenry@thepacktfcc.com
Meet the Coaches
Executive Director + Lead Coach
Dean Roehrborn
Dean Roehrborn is a social studies teacher at McHenry Community High School, where he has served as an assistant coach for the cross country and girls track and field programs since 2021. His primary focus is working with distance athletes, though he has experience coaching sprints and field events as well.
Dean developed his passion for running as a member of the cross country and track & field teams at Palatine High School under coaches Chris Quick and Alex Soto. He went on to attend Southeast Missouri State University, where he earned his degree in Social Studies Education before returning to the Chicagoland area to pursue both teaching and coaching.
Dean's coaching philosophy is centered around helping young athletes become the best version of themselves, both on and off the track. He encourages athletes to step outside of their comfort zones and embrace challenges while providing a supportive environment that promotes confidence. He believes that running is always a team sport and focuses on creating a strong sense of community, while ensuring that athletes enjoy the process and have fun along the way.
Outside of coaching, Dean enjoys playing music, disc golf, and spending time with his family.
Head Sprints/Jumps Coach Raegan Stinger
Raegan Stinger is a social studies teacher at Cary Junior High, currently enjoying her first year in the classroom. She is thrilled to step onto the track this season, where her primary focus will be working with the sprints and jumps athletes.
Her passion for running began at a young age in middle school and continued through her time at McHenry Community High School. A highlight of her competitive career was her senior year, where she qualified for the state meet as a member of the 4x200m relay team. Following high school, Coach Stinger attended North Central College, where she earned her degree in social studies education and competed at the collegiate level during her freshman year.
Her coaching philosophy focuses on cultivating a growth mindset where athletes learn to take ownership of their progress and view every challenge as an opportunity to build resilience. She aims to help her athletes build the confidence and hard work they need to succeed both in their events and in their lives outside of sports.
Outside of coaching, she enjoys attending country concerts, reading, and hanging out with her friends.
Assistant Distance Coach Skyler Balzer
Skyler Balzer graduated from McHenry Community High School in 2024, where she developed her passion for running after joining the track and field program as a freshman. During her time competing in both track and cross country, she grew into a dedicated leader, serving as a team captain her senior year and helping foster a positive and supportive team environment. In 2024, she qualified for the IHSA State Meet in both the 1600m and 3200m.
Skyler is now a sophomore at Bradley University, where she continues her academic and athletic career as a member of the cross country and track & field teams.
Skyler is passionate about using running to inspire others and believes that anything is possible with hard work and a positive attitude. She is excited to work with young athletes and help them grow both as runners and as individuals.
Assistant Sprints/Jumps Coach Avery Stinger
Avery Stinger is a passionate freshman at McHenry Community College, where she is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Throughout high school, Avery was a dedicated track athlete, competing all four years and making a big impact on her team. She helped break the 4x1 school record twice—first in her junior year, when she also qualified for state, and then again in her senior year by breaking the record once more. Although Avery has decided not to run track in college, her love for the sport continues strong. She’s excited to use her experience and passion to inspire and push young athletes to reach their full potential in track and field.
In addition to her academic and athletic pursuits, Avery will be playing basketball at MCC starting this fall. Outside of school and sports, she enjoys playing pickleball, going on walks, and baking, which helps her relax and stay active in her free time.
Assistant Cross Country Coach Jenny Ellis
Jenny Ellis is currently a teaching assistant with the Bridges program at Matthews Middle School. This is her 18th year coaching cross country and track as she was at Carl Sandburg Middle School (2007-2010), Mundelein High School (2011-2014), and Matthews Middle School (2016-Present). Her primary focus is mid-distance and distance runners.
Jenny started competing as a 7th grader at Wauconda Middle School and continued running throughout high school and college, where she attended Olivet Nazarene University. Her highlights in college included winning her Cross Country Regional three years in a row and earning All-American in the NAIA marathon. Post college, she broke 3 hours in the marathon and took first place in two 50ks.
Jenny enjoys encouraging young athletes and inspiring them to be the best version of themselves. She loves running alongside her athletes and pushing them to be faster than they thought possible. Having battled challenges from anemia to mental struggles to disordered eating, she is able to connect to athletes facing different challenges.
Outside of coaching, Jenny enjoys backpacking the Appalachian Trail with her parents, riding her bike, playing disc golf, listening to the Cubs on the radio, playing the piano, and writing parodies, books, and raps.
Assistant Cross Country Coach Mitchell Ruffin
Mitchell Ruffin is a substitute teacher at McHenry Community High School in his first year post-graduation. He is excited to work with all runners, with his primary focus being on distance athletes.
Mitchell started his cross country and track career in 6th grade, but it really began to gain momentum while at Jacobs High School. There, he worked under coach Kevin Christian, becoming one of the top runners by his senior year. After graduating high school, he joined the running club at Illinois State University while earning his degree in English Education.
Mitchell’s coaching philosophy is based around understanding individual needs in order to grow. Not everyone operates the same, so it is important to know what works for you and what doesn’t in order to bring out an athlete’s best potential. He also values the importance of perseverance, and the idea that growth means getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. Running can be physically and mentally demanding, so runners need to be prepared to push back in order to push forward.
Outside of coaching, Mitchell enjoys hobbies such as drawing, reading, keeping fish, and remembering the names of all 1025 Pokemon.