I haven’t yet seen a formal announcement from USSS as to who will wear the red, white, and blue tasteful light blue–pink ombré when they represent the U.S. at 2024 FIS U23 World Cross Country Championships next month, but after some sleuthing with the points spreadsheet and some third-party confirmation I can now report: Here are the five men and five women named to the U.S. team for this year’s U23 Championships:
Men
Brian Bushey, University of Utah
John Steel Hagenbuch, Dartmouth College
Walker Hall, University of Utah
Logan Moore, Middlebury College
Elijah Weenig, University of Denver
Women
Haley Brewster, University of Vermont
Kendall Kramer, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Novie McCabe, Alaska Pacific University
Anabel Needham, Michigan Technological University
Nina Seemann, Dartmouth College
This year’s races will occur in Planica, Slovenia, from February 5–11, with a pre-camp to be held in nearby Toblach, Italy, from January 24–31. The race program this year includes a skate sprint, 20km mass start skate, 10km interval-start classic, and a 4 x 5km mixed relay.
Up to four male and four female athletes may start for the U.S. in each race; there are of course five men and five women named to this year’s team. USSS has historically ensured that each athlete named to the World Juniors/U23 team receives at least one start during race week. I can’t quote anyone from USSS to this effect, but given what I know about skiing development in this country, let alone the team’s track record over the past few championships, I would personally be very surprised if that were not the case again this year.
I previously told you, unofficially but accurately, who will be representing the U.S. at 2024 World Junior Championships, which occur in Planica on alternating days when the U23 athletes are not racing. You can find that trip roster here. Finally, here is an initial announcement about who will be staffing this trip. I will update the coaches and service roster should this information change before race day.
— Gavin Kentch
