Victor C Dunder Awards Presented
April 26, 2011Nineteen skiers will be skiing on some new equipment next season thanks to the participating shops in the Victor C Dunder awards program.
2011 Collegiate Tally Board
April 3, 2011We're starting the 2011 edition of the college tally board. If you've made your college plans, drop us a quick update! We'll update a board on a daily basis.
Section Shakeup
March 27, 2011The Minnesota High School League has announced new section alignments that take effect for the 2011-2012 season. Some major changes, especially in sections 2 and 6.
Victor C Dunder Award Application Deadline Approaching
March 27, 2011The application deadline for the Victor C. Dunder awards is Thursday, March 31st. The annual Victor C. Dunder Ski Equipment Awards help support first year high school skiers with equipment awards.
Michigan High School Championships Results
February 22, 2011Dan Wiitala reports: Traverse City's Ross Williams was the overall champion of the Michigan High School Cross Country Ski Championship Pursuit on Friday, February 18 on the Vasa Trail in Traverse City, MI. With the fastest classic and second fastest skate time, his overall time of 31:13 just edge out teammate Evan Cover by a single second. Upper Michigan dominated the girls racing with all three spots in the Girls Pursuit, starting with Ellen Wiitala from Marquette High School winning her third consecutive pursuit championship in 31:05. Wiitala repeated on Saturday with the Freestyle Sprint Championship at the wire with Anna Meese of Copper Country second. Cover and Williams reversed order in the boys freestyle sprint races, going 1st and 2nd for Traverse City. Traverse City boys took home the team trophy with Copper Country winning the girls team competition.
MSHSNSCA Award Winners
February 21, 2011At their State Meet meeting last week members of the Minnesota State High School Nordic Ski Coaches Association (MSHSNSCA) selected the association award winners for the 2010-2011 ski season. From a field of excellent candidates from across the state members selected Chris Torvi of Irondale for Coach of the Year, Doug White from Roseville for Assistant Coach of the Year and Greg Minerich from Duluth East for Volunteer of the Year.
Minnesota Valley 2011
February 18, 2011Minnesota Valley Ski Team summer training program offerings for juniors have been posted. The group is lead by Reid Lutter, Doug Boonstra, and Randy Gibbs.
Sisu Skiers Summer Training Programs
February 18, 2011The Sisu Nordic Ski Foundation is expanding their summer juniors programs this year. In addition to offering more sessions, including evening workouts and ala carte selections, they will offer sessions with Olympian Kevin Brochman.
Charlie Banks Relays Coverage
February 16, 2011Giants Ridge endured a very warm day as temperatures soared into the low 50s for the Charlie Banks Relays on Wednesday as more than 35 teams competed. Stillwater girls held off Coon Rapids for the victory, while the Ely boys showed their depth sailing to a clear victory in the boys event. Full results linked in, plus photosets from both girls and boys races.
Wisconsin State High School Championships Recap
February 13, 2011The Wisconsin State High School Championships were held on Saturday, Feb 12th on the trails at Nine Mile in Wausau. John Burke provides a full recap.
Section 2 Results
February 10, 2011Camp Ripley concluded three days of sectional meets with the Section 2 meet on Thursday. It was all Wayzata as they swept the team titles placing five boys in the top eleven and incredibly placing ALL seven girls in the top eleven! St. Cloud Tech boys put up a good fight and scored five state qualifiers in the end. Josh Blankenship and Alayna Sonnesyn took the pursuit titles.
Section 7 Coverage
February 10, 2011Racing at the State Meet site, Giants Ridge, Section 7 titles were decided on Thursday. Duluth East put the hammer down, ending the chances of an Ely repeat as they swept the team titles. Duluth East's Ryan Davis pounded out a stellar classic pursuit race to overtake Ely's Jake Dalhberg to win the boys title. Amy Bianco, Ely, and Annie Harvieux, Duluth East, were scored as a virtual tie due to an issue with the pursuit timing.
Section 4 Coverage
February 10, 2011Once again, cold temperatures put a slight delay in the start of a section meet as Section 4 competed on the trails at Battle Creek Thursday. Roseville's Reker sisters, Zoe and Nikki, put on a showcase of their talents handily sweeping first and second overall (respectively), in both the classic and pursuit races. Forest Lake's Joe Jackson took a 17 second lead from the classic race and pushed it out in the pursuit for boys title. Roseville swept the team titles in a squeaker -- girls by 9 points over Forest Lake, boys by just 1 over Stillwater. Stillwater boys will send five to state. Full results linked in, classical photosets and video recaps of the pursuit races online now.
Section 8 Coverage
February 9, 2011Camp Ripley hosted its second day of sectional meets with the Section 8 events on Wednesday. Jake Richards, Detroit Lakes, and Summer Ellefson, independent, both repeated as section champions. Little Falls swept the team titles. Full results posted, plus photosets.
Section 6 Coverage
February 9, 2011Slighty warmer weather on Wednesday allowed the Section 6 meet at Baker Park to run on schedule. Hopkin's Connor Benton gave Eden Prairie's Kyle Bratrud a tough fight for the pursuit title with Bratrud pulling out in the final meters. Minneapolis Southwest's Claire Galvin roared back in the freestyle race to easily win the pursuit title as the Southwest girls team advanced to state. Minneapolis Southwest boys edged out Edina by a mere three points to take the team title. Full results linked in, plus photosets and video recaps posted.
Section 3 Coverage
February 8, 2011Section 3 teams faced off Tuesday morning on the hilly terrain at Battle Creek West. Thomas Kendrick, St. Paul Central, crushed the competition in the boys race, kicking his way to nearly a minute lead in the classical and adding a little more in the skate for the overall title. Burnsville's Sharmila Ahmed, fresh from international competition, showed she is ready to challenge for the State title with a strong performance in the girls race, winning by two minutes over the nearest competitor. Minnehaha Academy boys topped St. Paul Central and Highland Park girls narrowly defeated Burnsville for the team titles.
Section 1 Coverage
February 8, 2011Brian Abery reports: In spite of the frigid temperatures, there was some inspired racing at the Section 1 Championships on Tuesday at Valleywood Golf Course in Apple Valley. In the Girl’s events, Lakeville North senior Michelle Ferguson skied to a 14-second lead in the classic race, but was unable to hold off Eagan sophomore Sonja Hedblom who caught her at 3km in the Freestyle pursuit and skied to an impressive 20-second victory. Ferguson’s team mate Amanda Wilson skied to a 3rd place finish 1:54 back The Lakeville North girls placed four skiers in the top six running away with the Section title. The Boy’s race was a battle between the top skiers in the South Suburban Conference with Lakeville North’s Ben Saxton winning the Classic race and then holding off Eagan senior Chris Parr in the Freestyle pursuit by a margin of 15-seconds. Although Saxton’s team mate Lewis Kunik topped Apple Valley’s Andy Dodds for 3rd, the depth of the Eagan team prevailed as they placed 5 skiers in the top thirteen to win the section title by a 5-point margin over Lakeville North.
Section 5 Coverage
February 8, 2011Cold temperatures and a brisk wind delayed the start of the Section 5 meet by an hour and half on Tuesday morning at Camp Ripley. When racing got underway, it was Andover delivering on a sweep of the boys and girls team titles. Individual titles were won by Calvin Mehrhof, Coon Rapids, and Kaley Shagen, Osseo, both in dominate fashion. Full results posted, along with photosets from the classical races and video recaps of the freestyle pursuit events.
Minnesota High School Coaches Nordic Ski Rankings
February 7, 2011On the eve of the Minnesota High School sections, the Coaches Association has released their latest rankings. Things have started to settle down as top teams held their position, as well as Lakeville North's Ben Saxton in the number one slot. Ely's Amy Bianco is the big mover, unseating Annie Harvieux, Duluth East, at the top of the girls rankings.
Midwest Junior Olympic Team Named
February 2, 2011Central Cross Country Skiing has posted the Midwest Junior Olympic Team that qualifies to compete that Junior Nationals in the Twin Cities this March.
ABC Relays Coverage
January 15, 2011The ABC Relays drew yet another big field for the popular classic/freestyle relays at Theodore Wirth Saturday morning. The boys race saw a number of lead changes as Minnetonka took the lead for the first two laps before being overtaken by Roseville. However, it was the Stillwater boys coming from behind to take the victory on the final leg. In the girls event, MPA and Coon Rapids shared the early lead before Stillwater took control and collected the victory, completing a sweep for the team. Full results, photosets and video recaps online now.
Mesabi East Invite Coverage
January 8, 2011The might Mesabi East Invite ran Saturday on the trails of Giants Ridge in Biwabik with over 1100 high school skiers participating. Cold weather delayed the start by an hour and the temperature didn't climb over zero for the races. Lakeland's (Wisconsin) Kevin Bolger started things off with a dominating performance in the classic race, winning by more than 30 seconds. Zoe Reker, Roseville, took the girls classic. In the boys freestyle, Kyle Bratrud, Eden Prairie, won by just four seconds over Detroit Lakes Jake Richards. Nicolette Amber, Northwestern (Wisconsin), topped the girls skate field. Results online now, photo sets from Jay Richards and Karen Skoyles posted. More photos added: View sets from Ron Kutsi, Dave Johnson, and Todd Bauer.
Holiday Relays Coverage
December 18, 2010The big Holiday Relays ran on the trails of Troll Hollow on Saturday. In the opening event, the Roseville and Stillwater girls broke away right from the start line, with Roseville moving ahead to take the clear victory. In the boys classic, Roseville again shot out to an early lead but it was Stillwater that came storming back on the second leg and then stretched their lead all the way to the finish. The girls afternoon race had the biggest drama of the day as Irondale's Mattie Watts stormed up from third place to take the lead from Wayzata on the final climb and seal the team victory. The boys race started out tight for the first la with Wayzata in front, but once again it was Irondale making a big move on the second lap and holding on for a team sweep in the afternoon events. Stillwater swept the combined trophies, posting the best time in both the boys and girls classic/skate combined totals en route to claiming the Bill Simpson Trophy for the best overall time in all four events. Full results, photosets, and video clips, online now.
Julia Harrison Named National Finalist for High School Heisman Award
November 14, 2010Westonka senior Julia Harrison has been named one of 12 national finalists for the 2010 Wendy's High School Heisman Award. This year more than 55,000 students across the country applied for this prestigious high school award. Harrison competes in track, cross-country running, and Nordic skiing, and finished 11th at the State Meet last February.
Minnesota State CC Meet Coverage
November 6, 2010Breezy conditions with sunny skies were the backdrop for the 2010 Minnesota State High School Cross-Country championships at St. Olaf Saturday morning. The event got off with a bang as MPA's Mason Ferlic upset defending champ Murbarik Musa, Worthington, in the opening class A boys race. Perham boys took the team title ahead of Staples. The girls class A featured an even bigger surprise as Marisa Shady of Esko pulled ahead of top ranked runners Lauren Friese, Fairmont, and Elena Danielson, St. Cloud Cathedral, to take the victory. Adrian girls won the team title. In the afternoon events, the class AA boys opened things up with Wayzata putting down a dominating team performance to easily win the title. St. Francis' Adam Zutz provided some major drama as he overtook Burnsville's Cole O'Brien in the final straightaway to take the boys title. Maria Hauger, Shakopee, led, wire to wire to repeat as girls class AA champ. Eden Prairie won the girls title. Videos from all four races late tonight.
MSHSNSCA Fall Meeting Minutes
November 1, 2010The meeting minutes from the Minnesota Fall Coaches Meeting, held October 23rd in Mora, have now been posted.
Fall Coaches Meeting and Nordic Ski Expo Coverage
October 23, 2010There was a solid turnout Saturday in Mora for the annual Fall Coaches Meeting which this year featured an extensive Nordic Ski Expo. We've got a short report, photos and even a couple of product highlight videos.
Washington County Parks Scheduling
October 15, 2010Washington County has posted their information on meet/practice scheduling, along with their reservation form. And they confirm lighted trails for next season at Lake Elmo, along with some trail changes this season.
Roy Griak High School Coverage
September 25, 2010After light rain early in the morning, the precip moved out and eventually gave way to some sunshine for the afternoon high school races at the Roy Griak Invite in Lauderdale on Saturday. Surprisingly, the course was relatively firm despite the recent heavy rains. Top ranked Adam Zutz, St. Francis, held of a competitive field to win the Gold boys race. Notre Dame Academy's Allie Woodward won the girls race. Madison West topped Edina for the Gold boys team title, Dowling Catholic won the Gold girls crown. In the boys Maroon race, Nathan Hauge, Brandon Valley, edged out the lead pack for the victory. Allie Fons, Franklin, made a late race surge to take the girls title. Maroon team titles went to Minneapolis Southwest boys and Wausau East girls.
Rolf Melby Invite Coverage
September 3, 2010One of the early season high school cross-country showdowns was held Friday morning in Northfield as more than 1200 runners competed in the Rolf Melby Invite. The race featured the same course as the Minnesota State Meet.
Interview: Jessie Diggins
July 18, 2010Jessie Diggins wrapped up her high school racing years with another State title last February and is now making the move to the next level as she joins the CXC Elite team. We talked with Diggins about her training and plans for the upcoming season as well as a look back at that exciting State Meet race at Giants Ridge.
USSA National J2 Talent Camp
July 14, 2010The inaugural USSA National J2 Talent Camp will be conducted this July 31- August 8, 2010 on the campus of Michigan Technological University (MTU) in Houghton, Michigan. The camp will provide a great opportunity for many of the top young cross country skiers in the U.S. to train together and to learn from top USSA coaches and U.S. Ski Team staff.
Annie Hart Named Scholar-Athlete of the Year
June 21, 2010The Star Tribune has named St. Paul Academy's Annie Hart, who provided one of the most exciting finishes in Minnesota State Meet Nordic skiing history, as their Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Junior Nationals Trail Fund Drive
May 24, 2010The City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation is launching the 2010 Junior Olympics Trails Fund, hoping to raise $20,000 by the end of July to improve infrastructure and complete the 5K competition loop. The U.S. Ski Association’s Junior Olympics is coming to Wirth in March of 2011.
New BSM Nordic Ski Coach Announced
May 17, 2010Marc Beitz has been named as the new Benilde-St.Margaret Varsity Nordic Ski coach.
2009-10 Season Highlights
May 1, 2010Catch highlights plus full results and photos from the 2009-2010 high school racing season.