JACKSON, Wyo. — Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club (JHSC) qualified 10 Nordic skiers to the Junior National Championships.
JHSC Nordic student-athletes last weekend traveled to Soldier Hollow, Utah to compete in the final qualifier for the U.S. Junior National Championships. Ten JHSC athletes, and one alternate, were selected to represent the Intermountain Divisional (IMD) Team at U.S. Junior National Championships in Truckee, California.
“The commitment and teamwork from this group of athletes has contributed to their success this year. To get to this point in the season, they have trained year-round to meet their personal goals,” said Nordic Program Director and head coach, Ben Morley. “Even when athletes had setbacks in the early season, they moved beyond themselves, focused on training, and knew that the results would come. With that attitude, our team is racing faster than ever.”
Elijah Weenig, Sam Johnson, Desmond Concannon, Bridger Stiles qualified for Male U18-20. Mason Wheeler, Mac Wirth, and Will Johnson qualified for Male U16. Kate Brigham, Natalie O’Brien, and Aurora Stiles qualified for Female U16. Birch Klomparens is an alternate for Female U18-20.
The IMD team is allowed a maximum team size of 25 boys and 25 girls. This is the most youth to qualify for Junior National Championships from Jackson in many years, topping last year’s total of seven athletes.
Brian Krill, JHSC executive director, added, “More than anything, these results are the sum of what we are working on at the JHSC to raise champions in sport and life. Two record years of kids qualifying for junior nationals is a testament to their efforts as athletes and people, along with systematic improvements at the Club. The goal is to keep this momentum rolling into the future.”
The JHSC Nordic Junior Qualifying Team will travel together to the race March 6-14, 2020 in Truckee, California. This week, many of the athletes are racing in the Wyoming High School State Nordic Championship. For the next few weeks, athletes will focus their training on speed and tactical work then start tapering for Junior Nationals.
The rest of the team will conclude their season at the Western Club Championships in Soldier Hollow, Utah on March 14.
