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GCC Creating New Nordic Ski Team on May 16, 2009
Greetings from Michigan's Upper Peninsula!
Gogebic Community College - located in Ironwood, Michigan - has created a new Nordic Ski Team for the 2009-2010 season!
This new program may be a perfect fit for skiers passionate about the sport and wanting to spend more time on snow to meet their skiing goals. Ironwood is usually the first place in the Midwest to have plenty of snow and great early season skiing. And it's home to some of the best trails in the Midwest, including ABR and Wolverine ski trails (one of the best "perks" for GCC skiers will be season passes to both of these trail systems). Plus, the college is built on a ski hill with its own small Nordic ski trail.
I'm very excited about the opportunity to coach this new ski team. After graduating from high school in Eau Claire, I received a scholarship to compete for Northern Michigan University. While at Northern, I qualified for the NCAA National Championships my first three years and was the lead-off skier on the NCSA National Champion relay team in my senior year. For many years, Nordic skiing was my life. I didn't meet all of my goals, but I came about as close as possible to my potential - and fell in love with the sport. I also fell in love with the snow, trails and weather of the U.P. I'm a wave 1 Birkie skier - equally proficient in skating and striding - and a sub 3 hour marathoner. I'm currently training for my second 100 mile trail run this summer. I hope to share my passion for the sport with today's collegiate skiers.
My coaching philosophy will be to create individual training and racing programs to meet the specific background, talents and goals of each skier. We will compete in Central Collegiate Ski Association races plus a few citizen races. Ironwood will host four high quality ski races in 2009-2010, including the Grandview Ski Challenge (December 12-13), the Stormy Kromer Pursuit (January 2-3), the (new!) Sisu Ski Marathon (January 9) and the ABR Spring Race (March 15th). One of the first races for the year and one of the last - plus skiing by Thanksgiving and into April - can't beat that!
All travel expenses, entry fees and team uniforms - plus season passes at both ABR and Wolverine Ski Trails - will be covered by the college.
Starting this fall, GCC will also be offering a cross-country running team which skiers may choose to join if they'd like.
Gogebic Community College is an affordable college experience with a very strong academic transfer program plus programs specializing in ski area management, nursing and business. The college offers new on-campus housing and excellent educational and recreational facilities http://www.gogebic.cc.mi.us/AboutGCC/
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please email me at will.andresen@ces.uwex.edu or contact me at the below phone numbers. Skiers can also complete and submit this form: http://www.gogebic.cc.mi.us/athletics/recruit.htm
Will Andresen, Coach
Men's and Women's Cross Country Running and Nordic Ski Teams
Gogebic Community College
104 E. Harding Avenue
Ironwood, MI 49938
906-932-2064 (home)
715-561-2695 (work)
GCC Ski Team Brochure.pdf
