Anchorage, Alaska – The 2023-24 U.S. Cross Country Ski Team will feature nine athletes connected to Alaska, as announced this Tuesday. Notably, Anchorage’s Rosie Brennan and JC Schoonmaker lead the Alaskan contingent. Both athletes train with the prestigious Alaska Pacific University (APU) Elite Team.
APU Athletes Dominate Selections
Brennan, showcasing her prowess as a two-time Olympian, joins the women’s A Team alongside Julia Kern of Massachusetts and Jessie Diggins from Minnesota. On the men’s front, Schoonmaker, who showcased his skills in the 2022 Olympics and once skied for UAA, teams up with Vermont’s Ben Ogden on the A-Team.
Ski Team Program Director Chris Grover shared his enthusiasm about the forthcoming season, stating, “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.”
Further Recognitions and Appointments
Further strengthening Alaska’s representation, APU’s Novie McCabe has earned her place on the women’s B Team. The men’s B Team showcases a rich tapestry of Alaskan talent, featuring four skiers from Anchorage. All these skiers have affiliations with APU, including Luke Jager, Zanden McMullen, Scott Patterson, and Gus Schumacher. Impressively, Patterson and Schumacher represented the U.S. in the 2022 Olympics. Moreover, Jager, a fellow 2022 Olympic team member, celebrated winning two national titles last winter.
APU’s Michael Earnhart and Derek Richardson now have spots on the Development Team. Additionally, Greta Anderson, once an APU skier and coach, now spearheads efforts as the U.S. Team’s development coach.
U.S. Ski and Snowboard set the rigorous criteria for the team’s selection.
Anticipation Builds for World Cup Season
With enthusiasm building, fans and athletes eagerly anticipate the 2023-24 World Cup season launch, set to kick off from Nov. 24-26 in Ruka, Finland. In a historic move, America will host the World Cup this season. Minneapolis is preparing to welcome a global audience of athletes and fans from Feb. 17-19.
A Team Athletes
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 Athletes
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 Athletes
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)
Coaching and Support 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
Dedicated 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
