Junior Worlds, U23 XC Ski teams named

Mon, Jan  23, 2012 - By USSA

PARK CITY, UT – The U.S. Cross Country Ski Team named its 2012 FIS Junior World Championship Team and Under 23 World Championship Teams. The athletes were selected based on results at the 2012 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Rumford, ME Jan. 2-8. The Junior Worlds will be held Feb. 19-26 in Erzurum, Turkey.

Jessie Diggins, shown here at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships, is among the top U.S. cross country skiers chosen for the Under 23 World Championships and Junior World Championships to be held in Turkey in February. (USSA-Bryan Fish)

HIGHLIGHTS

• UVM's Scott Patterson (Anchorage), making  his third Junior Worlds team, is the senior member of the men's squad with a focus on distance events.
• Cambridge Sport Union's Corey Stock (Lincoln, MA) will lead the women's Junior Worlds team with strength in both distance and sprint, with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club's Emily Hannah (Steamboat Springs, CO) strong in freestyle sprint. Both are first time team members
• The U23 Team will be led by U.S. Ski Team veterans Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) and  Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO), both members of the 2011 World Championship Team.
• Diggins was 7th in the 5k freestyle and 12th in pursuit at the 2011 Junior World Championships. She is the current SuperTour leader in all categories and just combined with Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) for a World Cup podium in a team sprint.
• Hoffman was 9th in the 15k freestyle at the 2011 U23 World Championships and will focus on the 15k classic and 30k skiathlon at this year's Championships.
• Erzurum is located in Eastern Turkey at relatively high elevation. It was the host for the World University Games in 2011.
• The Team will first travel to Madona, Latvia and Albu, Estonia for training and competition in Scandinavian Cup events before heading to Erzurum.

QUOTES
Bryan Fish, Coach
Both the Junior World and U23 teams are a blend of seasoned veterans and fresh faces. We'll prepare for the Championships by bringing the teams together for a training camp and competitions in Latvia and Estonia to allow them to work into a rhythm and build confidence before toeing the line in Erzurum.

Veteran Scott Patterson will lead the men's Junior Worlds Team with strong newcomers Corey Stock and Emily Hannah for the women.

On the U23 squad, Jessie Diggins is coming off a strong U.S. Championships earning the title in every event and a great sprint weekend in Milan. Noah Hoffman was very impressive in the 30k class winning by 53.6 seconds at U.S. Championships. Both of these athletes have podium potential.

2012 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
Men
Logan Hanneman, Fairbanks, AK (University of Alaska-Fairbanks)
Forrest Mahlen, Anchorage (Alaska Pacific University)
Cole Morgan, Bozeman, MT (Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation)
Scott Patterson, Anchorage (University of Vermont)
Mike Vigers, Vail, CO (Ski and Snowboard Club Vail)
Will Wicherski, Boise, ID (Williams College)

Women
Emily Hannah, Steamboat Springs, CO (Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club)
Stephanie Kirk, Anchorage (Alaska Winter Stars)
Mary O'Connell, Steamboat Springs, CO (Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club)
Corey Stock, Lincoln, MA (Cambridge Sports Union)

2012 UNDER 23 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
Men
Erik Bjornsen, Winthrop, WA (U.S. Ski Team/Alaska Pacific University)
Reese Hanneman, Fairbanks, AK (Alaska Pacific University)
Noah Hoffman, Aspen, CO (U.S. Ski Team/Ski and Snowboard Club Vail)
Eric Packer, Anchorage (Dartmouth College)
Ryan Scott, Bozeman, MT (Ski and Snowboard Club Vail/Montana State University

Women
Sadie Bjornsen, Winthrop, WA (U.S. Ski Team/Alaska Pacific University)
Jessie Diggins, Afton, MN (U.S. Ski Team/Central Cross Country Ski Association)
Becca Rorabaugh, Anchorage (Alaska Pacific University)

FIS JUNIOR WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Feb. 20 – Men's and women's freestyle sprint
Feb. 22 – Mens' 10k classic, women's 5k classic
Feb. 24 – Men's 10+10k CL/FS skiathlon, women's 5+5k CL/FS skiathlon
Feb. 26 – Men's 4x5k mixed technique relay, women's 4x3.3k mixed technique relay

FIS UNDER 23 WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Erzurum, Turkey
Feb. 21 – Men's and women's freestyle sprint
Feb. 23 – Men's 15k classic, women's 10k classic
Feb. 25 – Men's 15+15k CL/FS skiathlon, women's 7.5+7.5k CL/FS skiathlon