May 01, 2012 (Park City, UT) – Veteran regional cross country coach Jason Cork has been named as an assistant coach for the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team. Cork will work primarily with the men’s World Cup team under the leadership of Cross Country Head Coach Chris Grover.

Grover will serve as interim men’s head coach following the resignation of Pete Vordenberg, who left the team this spring after more than a decade as an athlete and coach. Cork comes to the Team after several very successful seasons at Central Cross Country (CXC Team) with his athletes dominating the USSA SuperTour.

Cork has been a key component in the success of CXC athletes domestically and internationally the last few seasons including the spectacular debut World Cup season of CXC’s Jessie Diggins. CXC women took the top three overall spots in the USSA SuperTour in 2012 plus two of top three men’s spots.

“Jason Cork has been an extremely influential coach both with Team CXC and the Durango Nordic Ski Club.  This past season was a great example with the tremendous success of Team CXC athletes both domestically and internationally,” said Grover.

A native of North Pole, AK, Cork came to CXC after serving as an assistant coach at Michigan Tech. He also coached at the Durango Nordic Ski Club where he worked with current World Cup racer Tad Elliott. Cork was the USSA’s Cross Country Domestic Coach of the Year in 2011.

“Working with CXC Team was a great experience. Coaching some of America’s fastest skiers taught me a lot. I wouldn’t have the opportunity to work with the U.S. Ski Team had CXC not given me the opportunity to join its team where I learned more about training and racing at a higher level. I’m excited for my new job, but will miss the daily interactions with CXC’s many athletes, coaches, supporters, fans and staff,” commented Cork.

CXC, one of the USSA’s top domestic programs, has named its Junior Program Coach Igor Badamshin, a Russian World Championship medalist, to take over its CXC Elite Team. His knowledge of the sport and coaching expertise have been key components to the success of the CXC program.

We’re looking forward to seeing Igor in the driver’s seat for the CXC Team so he can apply his wealth of knowledge now to U23 and senior athletes,” said Yuriy Gusev, CXC Executive and Athletic Director. “One important value Igor brings to the table is development of effective athlete progression from the junior level to U23 and on to the senior level by using his experience as a successful athlete going though all the stages of the athlete development from junior to the top 10 in the World.”