Coaches
Mark Zenk
High School Head Coach
24th Year at Mankato West
12th Season
Coach Zenk was the main advocator to start the Mankato West Robotics program eleven years ago. He has been the coach since day one and enjoyed every minute. Coach Zenk has witnessed the program grow from one team of six students in year one to 9 teams with 47 students this season. Coach Zenk’s main goal of every season is to promote VEX Robotics to schools and the community all around MN. Coach Zenk also strives to run a quality regional tournament in Mankato every year and helping mentor other Event Partners to run their own tournaments. The goal for all the teams is to compete at a high level and reach the MN state tournament and qualify for the World Championships in Dallas, TX.
Dave Luiken
Middle School Head Coach
6th Season as VEX Coach
1st Season as Middle School Coach
Coach Dave has enjoyed coaching VEX Robotics in the Mankato area for six seasons – the previous five seasons in the VEX IQ program with 4th through 6th graders. He has also enjoyed the many other aspects of volunteering in different VEX tournaments including being the Event Partner for the first ever Mankato Match VEX IQ Tournament in February 2024. Coach Dave looks forward to teaching his teams the many valuable life skills that VEX offers – including problem solving skills, learning to work within a team, and the joy of celebrating hard work.
Rachel Arndt
High School Assistant Coach
4th Season
Returning for her 3rd year of coaching as a graduate from the West Vex robotics program is Rachel Arndt. After graduating from West, she continued her education at South Central College completing the Mechatronics A.A.S. program. While working full time she decided to pursue her B.S. degrees in Operations Management from MSU Moorhead. She applies concepts from both her degrees in her coaching strategies. Coach Rachel competed in Vex for 3 years ending her competition career down at world’s winning the Design award with her team Kabuum. Her goal is to encourage and challenge kids to make effective and strategic decisions both on and off the competition field.
