Minnesota Athletes Vital to Growth and Success in Nordic Skiing

January 12, 2024 While the lack of snow has curtailed cross country skiing in Minnesota this winter, the World Cup championship races in Europe have a strong dose of Minnesota participation and history.  Jessie Diggins continues to amaze; the 5’ 4” Afton, Minnesota athlete has a significant lead in the standings for 2023-24.  It follows

MIAC COACHES WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE OLYMPICS AND OLYMPIC COACHES WHO ATTENDED MIAC; FINAL INSTALLMENT OF SIX PART SERIES

In a testament to the quality of athletes recruited to coach in the MIAC, there are a handful of MIAC coaches who are Olympians, and one Olympic coach was a graduate of a MIAC school. Roberto Sobalvarro (Owatonna), a graduate of Macalester, was the 2012 Olympic head women’s fencing coach. Seen below with another Olympian

MIAC OLYMPIANS: NORTHFIELD’S OLES AND CARLS and a Bethel Royal at Arden Hills; PART 5 OF A SERIES

Northfield’s two colleges, St. Olaf and Carleton, have both had representation at the Olympics, although Carleton’s is not from Minnesota. Philip Dunn was a cross country runner and distance runner in track at Carleton, but the Oregon native qualified for three Olympics in race walking. A 4-time national champion, Dunn competed in the 50K racewalk

MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL STATE TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES WHO ACHIEVED FAME IN OTHER SPORTS AND CAREERS, PART 3 of 3

A number of US Olympic and national cross country ski team members have excelled at Minnesota state track and field and cross country meets: Todd Boonstra (Burnsville), Barb Jones (St. Paul Central), Ian Torchia (Rochester Lourdes), Ben Husaby (Eden Prairie), Kevin Brochman and Todd Kampainen are premier examples. Three-time Olympian Todd Boonstra (pictured below winning