BSM nordic skiing is ready for a big year, and they are hoping their veteran leadership and strong skiers will lead them to success.

Nordic is coached by new head coach Kate Hokanson and returning assistant Jim Wander. Led by senior captains Clyde Selke, Sammi Tarnowski, Tracy Renier, Nicole Dorn and junior captain Keelan Gorman, the team is ready for success.

Clyde Selke, a veteran on the team, has been participating in nordic since seventh grade. He has had a very successful career up to this point, as he qualified for Nationals his freshmen year, and State his sophomore year. However, this year he wants to focus on enjoying nordic and focus less on winning. “I am doing it more for fun and exercise this year. I am not going to get too caught up in the competition,” Selke said.

However there are some who have hopes of achieving big goals this year. Junior Ava Schieffert has a goal of not only competing in State, but qualifying for Senior Nationals and has an end goal of competing in college. She is a part of a club program, Endurance United, which is a competitive club program that takes place during the same time as BSM Nordic. “Skiing is my life,” Schieffert says.

Last year the team sent two skiers off State: Gorman (11) and Charlie Brown (10), and they individually both placed top 50 in State. Brown is a student from Groves Academy who competes for BSM and earned MVP of the varsity team last season.“She works harder than anyone I know,” junior Emily Clear said.

Gorman, a returning state participant, wants to not only qualify, but win it all this year, and he is definitely on track. He is constantly improving in the offseason by working out in the weight room, doing conditioning drills, and keeping a strong mental mind set. Gorman has many goals for this season. “I’m looking to get huge and go to State,” Gorman said.