2023-24 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team announced
Wed, Oct 11, 2023 - By U.S. Cross Country Ski Team
PARK CITY, Utah (Oct. 10, 2023) - U.S. Ski & Snowboard formally announces the 23 athletes representing the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2023-24 season. All athletes nominated to the team in May were selected based on predetermined selection criteria and have formally accepted their nominations to the national team.
The roster is complete with longtime veterans and promising newcomers ready to compete on the sport's biggest stage come November. Returning athletes include three-time Olympic medalist and 2023 world champion Jessie Diggins, 2022-23 FIS Rookie of the Year Ben Ogden and two-time Olympian Rosie Brennan. The roster also includes new talent with five athletes being called up to the national team for the first time.
Ben Ogden and Jessie Diggins and the 2022-23 World Cup Finals in Lahti, FIN celebrating Ogden winning the U23 Rookie of the Year and Diggins clinching second in the FIS World Cup Overall. (Nordic Focus)
The season will take athletes around the world once again but is highlighted with a World Cup in Minneapolis, Minnesota over Presidents Day weekend, bringing the best cross country skiers stateside for the first time in more than 23 years. The 2024 Loppet Cup presented by Stifel will include two days of elite racing, including a 10k and sprint, allowing American athletes to race a World Cup in their home country for the first time in their careers, and American fans an opportunity to see the action in person.
“The U.S. team is hungry to begin the 2023-24 season after a very productive preparation period with excellent training opportunities at Mt. Bachelor in Oregon, the Torsby ski tunnel in Sweden and the Snow Farm in New Zealand, among other locations,” said Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Program Director Chris Grover. “Training progress has been evident in the many outstanding performances by our athletes in major rollerski and running competitions around the globe. Although the entire season will be exciting to watch, some highlights from the team will include the Tour de Ski, which will include non-traditional longer events in both Toblach and Davos, and of course our home World Cup at Wirth Park in Minneapolis.”
The 2023-24 World Cup season kicks off with period one in Ruka, Finland Nov. 24-26, with three races: classic sprint, 10k classic and 20k skate race. The final FIS World Cup schedule can be found here. An in-depth ‘How to Watch’ announcement will be released shortly through the U.S. Ski & Snowboard website and social media channels.
Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team
(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate)
A TEAM
Women
- Rosie Brennan (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; Dartmouth College; 12/2/1988)
- Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN; SMS T2 Team; 8/26/1991)
- Julia Kern (Waltham, MA; SMS T2 Team; Dartmouth College; 9/12/1997)
Men
- Ben Ogden (Burlington, VT; SMS T2 Team; University of Vermont; 2/13/2000)
- James "JC" Schoonmaker (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska; 8/12/2000)
B TEAM
Women
- Sophia Laukli (Yarmouth, ME; Aker-Dæhlie; University of Utah; 6/08/2000)
- Novie McCabe (Winthrop, WA; Alaska Pacific University; University of Utah; 12/15/2001)
- Sydney Palmer-Leger (Park City, UT; SMS T2 Team; University of Utah; 2/04/2002)
Men
- John Steel Hagenbuch (Ketchum, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Dartmouth College; 10/01/2001)
- Luke Jager (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Utah; 1/17/2000)
- Zak Ketterson (Minneapolis, MN; Team Birkie; Northern Michigan University; 4/02/1997)
- Zanden McMullen (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 5/31/2001)
- Scott Patterson (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Vermont; 1/28/1992)
- Gus Schumacher (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 7/25/2000)
D TEAM
Women
- Haley Brewster (Avon, CO; University of Vermont; 6/06/2003)
- Sammy Smith (Boise, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 9/22/2005)
- Ava Thurston (Waterbury, VT; Mansfield Nordic Club; Dartmouth College; 1/06/2004)
Men
- Brian Bushey (Montpelier, VT; University of Utah Ski Team; University of Utah; 11/06/2002)
- Michael Earnhart (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 8/11/2002)
- Walker Hall (Winthrop, WA; Methow Valley Nordic Team; University of Utah; 6/11/2002)
- Max Kluck (Butte, MT; Bridger Sports Foundation; University of Utah; 9/25/2004)
- Will Koch (Peru, VT; SMS T2 Team; University of Colorado Boulder; 2/21/2002)
- Derek Richardson (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 5/21/2004)
Cross Country Coaches and Staff
- Cross Country Program Director: Chris Grover
- Cross Country Development Director: Bryan Fish
- Head Coach: Matt Whitcomb
- World Cup Coach: Jason Cork
- Development Coach: Greta Anderson
- D Team World Cup Coach: Kristen Bourne
- Cross Country Sport Coordinator: Adam St. Pierre
- Cross Country Press Officer: Leann Bentley
Service Staff
- Head of Service: Oleg Ragilo
- World Cup Service: Bjørn Heimdal
- World Cup Service: Eli Brown
- World Cup Service: Chris Hecker
- World Cup Service: Karel Kruuser
- World Cup Service: Paul Choudoir