President: Anna Bruning
Anna graduated from Oregon State University in 2020 with a Masters of Science in Kinesiology & Adapted Physical Activity. At OSU, Anna worked with the IMPACT program (a motor skills fitness program for people with disabilities), ran adaptive intramural sports like goalball & sitting volleyball, and conducted her research in inclusivity of people with disabilities in university campus recreation/gym settings. Anna also worked with a Therapeutic Riding program at Northeast Passage while at the University of New Hampshire, and took classes in recreational disability services. After noticing the lack of adaptive recreation services in Missoula, she reached out to @dreamadaptive to connect with people in the area and form Missoula Adaptive Recreation & Sports.

Program she's most excited about? Sled Hockey!

Secretary: Erika Nuetzel
Erika first became involved in adaptive recreation as a volunteer ski instructor for Oregon Adaptive Sports in Bend, OR. Having just graduated with a degree in Fine Art, she was having fun guiding outdoor rec tours and teaching yoga, though her experience with OAS ignited a passion for adaptive rec and advocacy that pushed her to make a career change. Upon landing in Missoula for her Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Public Health programs at the U, Erika was surprised by the lack of adaptive programming in town. Volunteering with DREAM in Whitefish, TRAILs in Salt Lake, Empower SCI, and working in the UMPT and New Directions clinics introduced her to some incredible folks with a shared vision for starting Missoula Adaptive Rec. She’s grateful to have joined an energetic team to get MARs off the ground and improve access and inclusivity in this wonderful community!

Program she’s most excited about? Adaptive cycling! And skiing. And paddling. It’s hard to choose just one!”


Treasurer: Sherene Ricci
Hi, I'm Sherene and lots of people know me as Lefty! Born and raised in Missoula, I was destined to love the outdoors. So when I lost my leg at the hip joint due to cancer in 2001, my first happy thought was that I could learn to ski again on one leg. I didn't even know what that was called at the time but thankfully I was supported by an adaptive sports org in Bozeman. There they taught me the basics of standup skiing with outriggers, and its called three-track skiing by the way. I was up and skiing just before my 1st "ampuversary".

Shortly after gaining my confidence through skiing, I discovered handcycling and realized that adaptive biking could open up the world to me again. My adaptive bike could take me places that my crutches couldn't. After that it was kayaking and all the beauty that paddling and water sports brings into the soul. Next came sled hockey, which reminded me of team work and fast paced competitive fun that I hadn't experienced since I was a kiddo.

I am so grateful for the influence that adaptive sports has had on me, for all the adventures I've had, for all the friends I've made along the way, and for all the places I've had the chance to see! These opportunities have filled my life with joy and resilience!

My goal is to now pay it forward in my own community through Missoula Adaptive Rec and Sports! I predict we will see more local adaptive athletes with opportunities for recreation, attract disabled visitors to our town to recreate (along with their tourist dollars), and expand the accessibility of Missoula's vast network of Paths/Trails/River Access Points/Open Spaces/Etc. to include EVERYONE!
#leftylovesyou

At-Large: Brenden Dalin


At-Large: Mike Manhardt
Mike is located in missoula and moved here in 2009 in search of recreation and a masters degree. Originally from central Wisconsin, he received a bachelors of mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison back in 2003. After finishing his masters of business administration from the University of Montana in 2011 he decided he never wanted to leave.

After an unfortunate tree felling accident, Mike became an adaptive athlete in September 2018 due to a spinal cord injury. Since his accident, adaptive recreation has become a passion of Mike’s as he wanted to get back to doing the things he loved in and around the mountains of Montana. Mike has become a successful elk hunter, advanced mountain biker, skier, fly fisherman, kayaker and most recently a painter. He still works as a mechanical engineer for hire, designing recreational vehicles as well as designing his own adaptations for living with limited hand function. He is also the vice chair of the Montana Statewide Independant Living Council at present.

You can typically find Mike with his partner Maggie and their trusted canine companion Bodhi on the trails around town!

At-Large: Tami Hoar

Honorable Mention: Molly Blair, DREAM Adaptive, and many other adaptive recreation friends of MARS for providing their expertise at our conception.