Although the Summit High School Nordic ski team has not yet had its first official competition, that does not mean that the team is ill-prepared for the quick-moving season.

With the start of the winter sports season officially starting midway through November, members of the Nordic ski team have consistently stacked weeks of great practices. Over the last two weeks specifically, athletes have enjoyed powder skiing, adding a new element to the already challenging sport.

“The conditions can get very challenging especially with fresh snow,” Ella Hagen said. “I would venture to say that Summit has shown that we can race really well in really hard conditions, both in Nordic and cross-country.”

The steady weeks of training in different conditions will help the Summit Nordic ski team as it prepares to race in its first race of the season in Aspen on Friday, Jan. 10. Although it may be the first race of the season, Summit is expected to have several of its athletes near the top of the results, including defending state champions Hagen and James Sowers.

After winning the skate race at state last winter, Hagen is expected to rely on her deep aerobic fitness as she vies to add a fifth and sixth individual state title to her name before graduating in the spring.

“The pressure is a privilege,” Hagen said. “It just drives you to be better and train harder in order to get to higher places. It’s definitely a little bit of a challenge having that target on your back, but it’s also going to make you the best version of yourself. At the end of the day, especially this senior season, it’s just about having fun and really capitalizing.”

Although the girls Nordic ski team was able to place fourth in both races at state last season, the team was limited by its small roster size. Head coach Eva Hagen expects that to be less of an issue for the team this season as several other skiers have bolstered the team’s roster. 

“There are some motivated girls that are willing to work hard,” Eva Hagen said. “I think we can improve on (the team’s placing at state) some. Obviously, you never know. There’s always unknown factors with other teams.” 

Beyond Ella Hagen, the girls Nordic ski team will lean on talented skiers like junior Katherine Williams, sophomore Heidi Frey and freshman Marin Little throughout the season.

“With a few more girls, one girl can have a bad day and hopefully the other girls can pull something off,” Eva Hagen said. “Last year, we really had to rely on our like three girls because there was nobody else.”

Williams will be one of the other top returners for the Summit girls Nordic ski team. Last season, Williams competed in both the skate and classic race at state placing within the top 40 in both. 

Similar to Hagen on the girls side, Sowers will enter the 2025 Nordic ski season as the reigning champion in the boys classic race. The state championship marked Sowers’ second after winning the skate race his sophomore season.

Entering his final Nordic ski season as a Tiger, Sowers realizes that other athletes are gunning for him as a two-time state champion, but is welcoming the pressure.

“The high school season is just so much fun and I always love to defend the title,” Sowers said. “I am really excited for my senior year. I definitely want to make it a good year. I want to make it a fun year on Nordic skis.”

Sowers will be aided by teammates including junior Carter Niemkiewicz, senior Josh Shriver, junior Cain Steinweg and senior Bryce Oppito. Last year, Niemkiewicz had a standout skate and classic race at state, finishing in third and second place, respectively 

With more experience behind him, Niemkiewicz feels prepared to put together a strong season where he once again rivals Sowers for the top spot among the team.

“I think it will be fun especially with this first race to see where I am at,” Niemkiewicz said. “Of course I would love to beat James, but I guess we will have to see where my fitness is at. That is what I am going to try to work towards.”

After sweeping the top of the podium at state last year, the Summit High School boys Nordic ski team is eager to add another pair of state titles to the trophy case. Although the format of the state championship event has slightly changed this year, the team remains poised in its ability to out-ski the other talented teams throughout the state.

“The team seems to really work together and has good vibes with good work ethics,” Eva Hagen said. “They want to do well. Their goal is to win again. Especially this year where it is without Alpine.”

The Summit High School Nordic ski team will travel to Aspen on Friday, Jan. 10, for its first classic race of the season. After competing in Aspen, the Tigers will compete in a skate race in Carbondale on Jan. 15 with the team’s home skate race at Gold Run Nordic Center scheduled for Feb. 7.