Despite long road trips, bone-chilling weather, and a core of young skiers, the
St. John’s nordic ski team has shown they are ready to compete.

“We graduated five seniors, including our top two,” sophomore Trevor Drake said. “We have a really young team this year, with only one senior and one junior.”

However, the lack of experience hasn’t dimmed the high expectations coach David Johnson has for his team.

“We have a lot to prove yet,” Johnson said. “I would like to see us beat Gustavus and
St. Olaf at the Minnesota College Championships and finish as the top team in the MIAC. I also want to see us have a good showing at the upcoming NCAA Regional Championship.”

Both goals appear to be in reach for St. John’s as the team has fared well against some of the nation’s most talented skiers.

“There are no divisions in skiing,” Johnson said. “We compete against Division I, II and III skiers at every race.”

Already confronted with the task of elite competition, the Johnnies have also had numerous races held in below-zero weather.

“There are weekends with highs of negative 10,” first-year Mason Bacso said. “We would be out there braving the cold in our spandex racing. It is great to have the whole team there, gritting their teeth and ignoring the insane cold.”

With only one meet left before Regionals, all attention has turned to remaining healthy and in good shape.

“This race will feature the region’s best skiers in their best shape of the season,” Bacso said. “It will be also be everyone’s final shot at making nationals this year. At this point in the season, our training is all focused on doing well that weekend.”

The Johnnies are next in action when they battle for the MIAC Championship at the Minnesota College Series meet.

The race will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 at Graystone Trails in St. Cloud.