Nordic Ski

Welcome to Orono Nordic Ski

2022-23 Orono Nordic Ski Team

Brian McCollar (Speedy), Head Coach
speedy@gearwest.com

Hometown: South Minneapolis
Current City: Plymouth
Family Members: Wife Deb, a high school senior son, and two college-age daughters.
Coaching Experience: I have coached for Orono for 24 years, including 10 years with the Nordic team.
Athletic Achievements: I once ran 100 miles in 16:09:43
Interesting personal tidbit: I have watched a lot of Survivor, but now prefer Parks and Rec.
Why Speedy Coaches: Nordic is a life long sport, and I really enjoy teaching kids to ski and help them master the sport of Nordic skiing.

Katie Leslie, Assistant Coach
sportkatie@gmail.com

Hometown: Orono
Current City: Orono
Family Members: Married with three children: A daughter and boy-girl twins!
Coaching Experience: I am a cross country coach, a Nordic coach and the girls distance track coach.
Athletic Achievements: I have run 10 marathons and many shorter races. Not a Nordic race in the books yet!
Interesting personal tidbit: I am a personal trainer.
Why Katie Coaches: I love coaching because of the kids, and Speedy too! The kids keep me “current” and youthful.

Erica Kazin, Senior

Years on the team: 4

Advice for young skiers: Never race in a t-shirt. Always ask for more kick wax. Listen to Speedy at least 70% of the time. Go fast down the hills, but go faster up them. You can always be drinking more water.

Favorite memory with Orono Nordic: Conference 2022. I won the pursuit race in a major upset. The rest of the team had great results as well, and the energy and camaraderie of the day was just unmatched.

Most embarrassing ski moment: I was racing a classic sprint JNQ in Cable my sophomore year. My kick wax iced up right out of the start and instead of gliding effortlessly out of the gate, I immediately fell flat on my face.

Sindri Bonner, Senior

Years on the team: 6
Advice for young skiers: Don’t be scared to fall! We all do it and you just get back up and keep skiing!

Favorite memory with Orono Nordic: The 11-mile ski at Nordic Camp 2021 when we were playing a continuous game of 20 questions with Speedy on a long (and very pretty) classic ski!

Most embarrassing ski moment: Trying to jump a fallen tree while going down hill trail bypass at Baker Park and almost taking out a teammate during a crash landing on the other side of said tree! Opps! But we all laughed about it later.

Ben Masica, Junior

Years on the team: 5

Advice for young skiers: If you don’t know how to ski, just watch someone who does.

Favorite memory with Orono Nordic: Ski camp, especially when we’re in Cable because we can go on long skis and not get that lost.

Most embarrassing ski moment: I borrowed The Andy Powell’s poles at the Duluth JNQ last year. Unfortunately, I snapped one in half during the race. It was not my best moment.

Ski Camp/Mesabi

Ski Camp

Every year, Orono skiers pack up their skis on December 27-30 and drive North for four days of Nordic ski adventures! Skiers spend the days skiing (a lot), exploring trails, learning new skills, and most importantly, having extraordinary amounts of fun. By evening, everyone is back at the lodge to devour dinner, play games, watch movies or just relax. This is a popular event for all levels of ski talent! Everyone is welcome to come to ski camp! Watch for details communicated at the beginning of the season.

Mesabi

The Mesabi meet is reserved for a select number of Orono Nordic skiiers around the first weekend of January. It's a single, overnight stay Friday night in the Mesabi area before the races on Saturday. Orono athletes have the opportunity to race against other competitive high school skiiers in Minnesota on the famous trails at Giants Ridge.

Equipment

Ski Equipment Info

Not sure what equipment to gather? Check out the Gear West recommendations. The checklist linked here can give you an idea of clothing and accessories you might need as well.

Nordic Ski Swap

Get money for your old racing equipment! Gear West Bike Shop (rear entrance) holds a used/new equipment sale. Get there early because the line begins forming at 8 am! Due to space constraints, only 10-15 shoppers are allowed in at one time. Benefits Orono, Wayzata and Mound Westonka ski teams.

SLIP Info

The Orono Nordic Ski Club has created a Ski Loaner Introduction Program for families new to skiing who don't feel they can justify or afford new equipment for their first year of skiing. Please contact Coach Speedy at speedy@gearwest.com or click here for more info.

Photo Gallery

State Skiiers

female nordic skiier nearing finish line

2023-2001

2023 - Wells Huotari, Sprint Relay

2023 - Walter Holmes, Sprint Relay

2023 - Erica Kazin, Pursuit

2023 - Sindri Bonner, Pursuit

2023 - Miles Miner, Pursuit

2022 - Erica Kazin, Pursuit

2022 - Sindri Bonner, Pursuit

2022 - Miles Miner, Pursuit

2021 - Sindri Bonner, Pursuit

2021 - Miles Miner, Pursuit

2020 - Avalon Johnson, Pursuit

2020 - Naomi Ohman, Pursuit

2019 - Naomi Ohman, Pursuit

2018 - George Goldade, Pursuit

2017 - Grace Leslie, Pursuit

2017 - Justin Whyte, Pursui

2015 - Cabrini Winkels, Pursuit

2015 - Vanessa Whyte, Pursuit

2014 - Mike Choiniere, Pursuit

2013 - Michael Choiniere, Pursuit

2011 - Hannah Ohman, Pursuit

2010 - Wyatt Doop, Pursuit

2010 - Ben Ohman, Pursuit

2009 - Wyatt Doop, Pursuit

2009 - Brent Schultz, Pursuit

2009 - Ben Ohman, Pursuit

2005 - Whitney Heyvaert, Classic

2004 - Whitney Heyvaert, Pursuit

2003 - Jake Manning, Skate

2003 - Antonia Slaughter-Pursuit

2002 - Antonia Slaughter-Pursuit

2001 - Antonia Slaughter, Pursuit

Summer Opportunities

Summer Training Opportunities

"Great Skiers are made in the summer..."

Get together, stay fit, rollerski, improve your technique skills so you are ready at the start of the Nordic season. Do not wait until November to begin your Nordic training!

Here are off-season training programs for you to "up your game plan."

Nordic Ski Team - Calendar

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Registration Information

Get Registered

Registration Fees

Team/Parent Handbook

Scholarships & Financial Options

All athletes who are interested in participating in sports should not be discouraged due to cost. Educational Benefits through the Minnesota Department of Education include child nutrition, discounted activity fees, sports fees, internet services, and college preparation. We encourage ALL families that could qualify for educational benefits to apply first before registering for sports or activities. If you are approved for benefits, the discount will automatically be applied in MyPaymentsPlus. Orono Schools maintains complete confidentiality regarding a student’s eligibility status. Information and applications in English and Spanish are available on the Child Nutrition website. Questions? Please contact jacklyn.deroma@orono.k12.mn.us

Learn More and Download the Application

Sports-Qualifying Physical

MSHSL

High school and middle school students are eligible to participate in Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) athletics and activities.

The Minnesota State High School League is organized for the following educational purposes:

To provide, promote, manage and administer a program of activities for students of the member schools on subsection, section and state levels in athletics and fine arts.
To establish uniform and equitable rules for students in extra-curricular activities.
To elevate standards of sportsmanship and to encourage the growth of responsible citizenship among students, member schools and their communities.
To protect students, member schools and their communities from exploitation by special interest groups.
To provide mutual benefit and relief plans for the assistance of students injured in extra-curricular activities in meeting medical and hospital expenses incurred by reason of such injuries.

The MSHSL website provides information about the league itself, each activity and sport, and all tournament information from section brackets to tournament seedings.

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