Head Instructors

David Arnebeck

  • Over 40 Years Mixed Martial Arts Experience
  • Over 30 Years Teaching Experience
  • Founder: Warrior’s Cove Martial Art Centers
  • Founder & Master Instructor: Shinbudo MMA System
  • Rickson Gracie Black Belt: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
  • Official Rickson Gracie Instructor: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
  • 3rd Degree Black Belt: Tang Soo Do
  • Certified Kyo Sah Instructor: Tang Soo Do
  • Assistant Instructor: Wing Chun Kung Fu
  • Assistant Instructor: Chi Kung Kung Fu
  • Brown Belt: Danzan Ryu Jiu Jitsu
  • Extensive training in: Boxing, Weapons, Meditation
  • Systems Designer: Self-Emergent Training Environments
  • 8 International & National Championship Titles in both Sparring & Grappling Competitions
  • Numerous 1st Place Wins in Regional Black Belt Tournaments

Carolyn Arnebeck

  • Certified Core Power Yoga Instructor
  • Certified Instructor: Aerobic Kickboxing
  • Assistant Instructor: Women’s Self-Defense
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Tom Crone

  • Co-Founder: North Star Judo
  • 7th Degree Black Belt in Judo
  • Highest Ranked Judo Master in Minnesota
  • Over 45 Years of Judo Experience
  • Six time Minnesota State Judo Champion
  • Pan-Am Team Alternate
  • Served 5 Yrs National Jr Olympic Coaching Staff
  • Trained and coached six 1996 Judo Olympians
  • Co-author of The Basics of Judo

Chris Daeger

  • Acting Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)
  • Former Navy SEAL

Joe Davis

  • Acting Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)

Joe Hall

  • Acting Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level) 
  • Competition Team Member

Nate Howe

  • Acting Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)
  • Purple Belt: Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu
  • Competition Team Captain
  • Professional MMA Fighter

Michelle Holtze

  • Co-Founder: North Star Judo
  • 6th Degree Black Belt in Judo
  • Over 35 Years of Judo Experience
  • 2000 Pan Am Judo Competition – Silver Medal
  • 2003 World Judo Championships – Gold Medal
  • 2005 Elected to Board of Directors – U.S. Judo Assn

Chris McWethy

  • Certified Instructor: Eskrima

Ben Neumann

  • Acting Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)
  • Competition Team Captain
  • Professional MMA Fighter

Mike Norton

  • 2nd Degree Black Belt in Judo

Christina O’Brien

  • 2nd Degree Black Belt in Judo

Jesse Reine

  • Instructor: MMA
  • Black Belt: MMA (Expert Level)
  • Purple Belt: Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu
  • Competition Team Captain

Joe Westerlund

  • Acting Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)
  • Competition Team Member 

Full Name:        Phone:

Email:       

Senior Assistant Instructors

Zach Brauer

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level) 
  • Competition Team Member

Jody Brown

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Ed Burke

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Lance Christianson

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Phil Clubb

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level) 

Pete Gaffney

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)
  • Competition Team Member

Dan Grindle

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)

William Jeans

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Senior Assistant Instructor: Kickboxing
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Ehsan Karamafrooz

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)

Mark Komendant

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Mark Lessard

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Dan LeVoir

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Tom Lytle

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)
  • Competition Team Member

Patrick McIntyre

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)
  • Competition Team Member

Tom Menton

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Tom Mondragon

  • Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level) 
  • Competition Team Member

Brenner Sandburg

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Ben Scherer

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)
  • Competition Team Member

Dan Schneidkraut

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)

Charlie Schultz

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)
  • Competition Team Member

David Skora

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)
  • Competition Team Member

Dan Smith

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Seth Snedden

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Chris Spencer

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)
  • Competition Team Member 

Seth Swanson

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)

Todd Traczyk

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)
  • Competition Team Member

Jamie Tresidder

  • Senior Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)
Assistant Instructors

Jake Bills

  • Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Kyle Christianson

  • Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Assistant Instructor: Family MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Wes Gustafson

  • Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Assistant Instructor: Family MMA
  • Gold Belt: MMA (Basic Level)

Andy LeBarron

  • Acting Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Gold Belt: MMA (Basic Level)
  • Competition Team Member 

Jake Lee

  • Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Mahir Lukarevik

  • Acting Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Blue Belt: MMA (Advanced Level)

Zach Palmer

  • Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Jeff Piri

  • Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Gold Belt: MMA (Basic Level)

Thomas Purdue

  • Acting Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Ryan Robinson

  • Acting Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)
  • Competition Team Member

Ed Schutte

  • Acting Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)

Max Valiarovski

  • Acting Assistant Instructor: MMA
  • Red Belt: MMA (Intermediate Level)
Get Started Today!!
If you are interested in taking one or more classes at the Warrior’s Cove, you may visit to observe the classes. We have a seating area for visitors. You may also participate in one free class – in each program that we offer.  You will find our instructors and the other members to be friendly, informative, and supportive. Simply fill out the GET YOUR FREE TRIAL form above to get started today! 

Please contact us if you have any questions.