January 11, 2012 (Rumford, ME)- The U.S. Cross Country Ski Team named its 2012 FIS Junior World Championship Team and World Under 23 Championship Team. The athletes were selected based on results at the 2012 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Rumford, ME Jan. 2-8. The Junior/U23 World Ski Championships will be held Feb. 19-26 in Erzurum, Turkey.

“The team is a blend of seasoned veterans and fresh faces,” said Bryan Fish Development Coach, U.S. Ski Team. “The squad is led by U23 and USST members Jessie Diggins and Noah Hoffman. Jessie is coming off a US National Championships earning the US Championship in every event. Noah was very impressive in the 30 kilometer classic at US Cross Country Championships winning by 53.6 seconds. Both of these athletes have podium potential.”

A pre-camp will be held in Madona, Latvia and Albu, Estonia where there will be four Scandinavian Cup races in five days including freestyle sprint, distance mass start freestyle, classic sprint and classic distance races. This will provide head-to-head international experience for the athletes and allow them to work into a rhythm and build confidence before toeing the line in Erzurum.

“The National Nordic Foundation has really stepped up to support our international development events such as Jr Worlds and U23 World Ski Championships as well as the Scandinavian Cup pre-camp. Their support is invaluable to the advancement of our young developing athletes,” added Fish.

2012 FIS Junior World Championship Team

Men

– Logan Hanneman – (UAF) University of AK-Fairbanks
– Mike Vigers – (SSCV) Ski and Snowboard Club of Vail
– Cole Morgan – (SVSEF) Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation
– Scott Patterson – (UVM) – University of Vermont
– Will Wicherski – Williams College
– Forrest Mahlen – (APU) Alaska Pacific University

Women
– Joanne Reid – (CU) Colorado University
– Corey Stock – (CSU) Cambridge Sports Union
– Emily Hannah – (SSWSC) Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
– Stephanie Kirk – (AWS) Alaska Winter Stars
– Mary O’Connell – SSWSC

2012 FIS U23 World Championship Team

Men
– Noah Hoffman – USST/SSCV
– Erik Bjornsen – USST/ APU
– Eric Packer – Dartmouth College
– Ryan Scott – SSCV/ (MSU) Montana State University
– Reese Hanneman – APU

Women
– Jessie Diggins- USST/ (CXC) Central Cross Country Ski Association
– Sadie Bjornsen – USST/ APU
– Becca Rorabaugh – APU