Meet the Staff

Cody Wang -  Director of Athletic Performance / Operations Manager

Cody began leading the day-to-day operations at 1st Athlete in February of 2019. Prior to that Cody served as a player development coach for Minnesota Made Hockey starting in June of 2018. Cody possesses a dynamic background as a former high school and collegiate athlete, corporate leader, military leader and educated professional (Bachelors and Masters degree) in the field of strength and conditioning and athletic performance. He also is recognized as a Performance Enhancement Specialist by the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Prior to joining 1st Athlete and Minnesota Made Hockey Cody served as a football and baseball coach for St. Thomas Academy and as a Manufacturing Supervisor for Medtronic. Cody is also a retired Army infantry officer who served on multiple combat tours in the Middle East. Additionally, Cody played football collegiately as Minnesota State Moorhead and North Dakota State University, receiving the Doc Geib award on multiple occasions as the most dedicated player for the MSUM football team. Originally a Moorhead Spud, he grew up playing hockey in the tradition rich Moorhead Youth and High School programs, along with being a standout football, baseball, and track and field athlete.

Cody’s no nonsense approach to developing as an athlete is the culture 1st Athlete will be built on. He believes in hard work, consistency, and accountability!  

Email: codyw@mnmadehockey.com

Aaron Appelwick - Strength and Conditioning Coach / Hockey Skills Trainer 

Aaron has been a lifelong athlete participating in multiple sports: swimming, cross country running, triathlon, football, and hockey to name a few. Aaron served in the U.S. Air Force for 13 years, during this time he split time as a Non-Commissioned Officer and competing as an athlete. While in the Air Force Aaron led airmen as part of the 341st Tactical Response Force, responsible for securing America's nuclear weapons along with providing law enforcement SWAT capabilities to the Air base. 

He spent time competing as an elite triathlete on the Air Force Triathlon Team, as well as a member of the U.S. Armed Services Europe Hockey team, and the U.S. Air Forces Europe Cross Country running team where he competed throughout Europe and the United States. Aarons passion for sports and fitness continued upon his transition out of the military as he obtained a Masters Degree in Exercise Science and is recognized by the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Performance Enhancement Specialist. 

Email: aarona@mnmadehockey.com

Jens Munson - Hockey Skills Trainer 

Coach Munson was born and raised in Edina. He graduated from Columbia Heights HS in 1989 and played 3-years of varsity hockey and was named all-conference his senior year. After his prep career Jens played 2-years of juniors for the Tri-Metro Junior Whalers, serving as a captain his final season. Jens has a vast amount of experience coaching youth hockey in both Apple Valley and Edina, and is currently coaching Squirts with Edina Hockey Association. Jens son, Cullen Munson, was a former standout player for the Hornets and a four-year letterman for the U of M Golden Gophers receiving the Big Ten Sportsmanship award and all Big Ten academic honors his senior year. Coach Munson has a tremendous amount of passion for the game of hockey and enjoys sharing this passion with every athlete he works with!  

Email: jensm@mnmadehockey.com