BSM nordic skiing is starting the season strong with a new head coach, big goals, and a unique new training philosophy. Katherine Hokanson, a three year nordic coach, will be taking the reins as the head coach of the BSM nordic team. Katherine has a family and background rooted in nordic skiing. She attended the same school as, and was inspired by, Olympic skier Jessie Diggins. Although initially resistant to joining nordic skiing, she soon fell in love with the sport.  

Coach Hokanson’s approach to the season emphasizes team bonding and an open mindset. “My main goal as a coach this year is to come into the program and begin by observing the existing structure and getting to know the team. What’s working? What’s not? What is important to the team?  From there I do what I can to make our program as strong as possible, so the skiers can achieve their team and individual goals and so that next year we can set new goals together,” Hokanson said.   

With an open approach to the season, Hokanson can build a team with big, long-term goals, and work to achieve them. Coach Hokanson was initially drawn to BSM by a coach that she worked with. “I like working with small, close-knit groups, and I think that describes the team at BSM,” Hokanson said.

Training regimens that Coach Hokanson plans to bring to the BSM Nordic team are varied and have been developed by her diverse background in the sport. She hopes to utilize both dryland and snow training to prepare for races. Her personal favorites include tough strength workouts.  

Coach Hokanson has a lot of great role models that she looks up to for inspiration.  Kikkan Randall, an Olympic skier, is a source of great inspiration for her.  With a background that was filled with Nordic skiing, to really embracing the sport as an assistant coach for Mounds Park Academy, coach Hokanson is prepared for the challenge and the excitement of a head coach position.

Her plan for the season is pretty relaxed.  “Nordic skiing calls for a lot of flexibility when planning,” Hokanson said. Some days will require group work, where the team will break up to do interval sets. Other days will require a large group to go on a recovery ski. However, the team will always start and finish practice together as one unit to build team chemistry. “I know we have successful athletes on this team and I want to give them the support they need to continue being successful and to elevate the whole program,” Hokanson said.