Endurance athletes at Gogebic Community College are transitioning from cross-country running to Nordic skiing. The Samsons enjoyed a successful fall running season, competing throughout the upper Midwest and beating some four-year college teams. For the first time, three Gogebic men bested the difficult 30-minute barrier in the 8K and all runners greatly improved their times as the season progressed.

Now the athletes are focusing on the Nordic ski season. Skiers have been preparing all fall with six days of dry-land training each week, including roller skiing, hill work, running and strength training. When not competing in cross-country races, the team travelled to the Porcupine Mountains for three and four hour trail runs. In the past week, skiers have been on snow three times, finding snow wherever they can. Two skiers have travelled as far as Montana to find early season snow.

Gogebic skiers will focus on Central Collegiate Ski Association races against four-year college teams from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The team will also compete in regional ski races such as Wolverine Ski Race, Iron County Pursuit and the SISU Ski Festival. At least two team members plan to compete at the Junior Olympics in March.

Gogebic's skiers come from a three-state area, including Micah Ohman and Leif Gilsvik from Minnesota, Kyle Weber from Drummond, Elizabeth Haataja from Calumet and three local skiers, Ben Noren, Sam Kolesar and Rachel Borth.

(Photo caption: Minnesota skiers Leif Gilsvik and Micah Ohman prepare for Gogebic's 2010-2011 Nordic ski season)

Will Andresen, Coach
Men's and Women's Cross Country Running and Nordic Ski Teams
Gogebic Community College