May 09, 2014 (Park City, UT) – Stratton Mountain School’s Nordic Program has again earned the highest national recognition by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) with two awards: the SMS Nordic Team and the SMS T2 Team have earned the 2014 USSA Cross Country Club of the Year Award, and SMS T2 Team Coach Gus Kaeding (SMS ’02) was named USSA 2014 Cross Country International Coach of the Year. Both awards will be presented at the USSA National Congress in Park City on May 16.

In 2013, Kaeding received the USSA Cross Country Domestic Coach of the Year Award, and SMS Nordic Program Director Sverre Caldwell has won the award three times. This is the third time that the SMS Nordic Program has earned the USSA’s Cross Country Club of the Year Award.

“We are honored to win the USSA Cross Country Club of the Year Award,” said SMS Nordic Program Director Sverre Caldwell. “And to have Gus win the International Coach of the Year Award on the heels of his Domestic Coach of the Year Award last year, really speaks to his professionalism and talent as a coach.”

The USSA Cross Country Club of the Year Award is awarded to the club in each sport that has “distinguished itself in providing direction to young athletes through high-level competition programs resulting in athletic success.”

Kaeding has coached the SMS T2 Team, an elite-level Nordic ski team, for the past two years. The team had eight athletes this past year, including Sophie Caldwell (SMS ’08), who took sixth place at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the best U.S. women’s Olympic finish ever.

“I’m flattered to receive the USSA’s Cross Country International Coach of the Year Award,” Kaeding said. “There are many talented coaches out there, and I’m grateful that USSA values my contribution and has recognized the value of the SMS T2 Team with the USSA Cross Country Club of the Year Award.”

“Stratton Mountain School is committed to providing the highest levels of training and competition,” said SMS Headmaster Chris Kaltsas. “Our Nordic Program has been repeatedly honored for this unparalleled standard of success.”

Stratton Mountain School is a ski and snowboard academy located at the base of Stratton Mountain. SMS serves students in grades 7 – 12. The SMS community of students, faculty, coaches and staff share the pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.