LU Nordic skiing looking strong in 2010

The powerhouse Lakehead Thunderwolves Nordic skiing teams will be back on course this weekend as they open their 2010 season at the Haywood NorAm Eastern Canadian XC Ski Championship, Jan. 30 and 31 at Ottawa.

The race serves as the second OUA qualifying race of 2010 and will give Lakehead an opportunity to compete with perennial rivals the host Carleton Ravens and the Laurentian Voyageurs leading into February’s OUA Championships at Orangeville, Ont.

Recently ranked among the OUA Teams of the Decade, the Thunderwolves women have amassed a staggering six consecutive CCUNC titles while both the women’s and men’s squads have won five straight OUA Championships.

This season promises to be an interesting one as changes to both the rosters and the coaching staff will guide the fortunes of the teams. Joining Adam Kates as co-head coach is Phil Brown, a graduate of the Lakehead University Kinesiology program and a 2004 OUA relay medalist.

A former support staffer to the Thunder Bay National Team Development Centre (NTDC-Thunder Bay) and National Paranordic Development Team Coach, Brown gives the team an extra edge in the coaching department as the ‘Wolves continue to build their legacy.

"The women's team is looking very strong again this year and our expectations are high," coach Brown says. "We are optimistic about the men's team although they face a bit of an uphill battle with the departure of a couple of key athletes to the National XC Ski Team Development Program."

A talented women’s squad will look to overcome the departures of Linnaea Kershaw, Amanda Holsworth and Ava Rudachyk. The trio will be skiing for the National Team Development Centre this season, giving several Thunderwolves an opportunity to make their mark in 2010.

At the forefront of the Thunderwolves women’s attempt to seven-peat as national champions is senior skier Anna Crawford (Lake George, New York). A two-time all-Canadian, Crawford has dealt with offseason injuries but is a perennial contender and legitimate threat to earn an overall OUA individual title.

Thunder Bay locals, freshmen Daphne Haggarty and Kara Jaspers should give Lakehead a boost of depth and talent. Haggarty is a Canadian Junior medalist who missed last season due to illness but is on track for positive results in the new decade. Jaspers, a former Canadian Junior team member should emerge as an immediate contender for the OUA overall title, giving the ‘Wolves another marquee skier to build around.

Sophomore Britt Bailey (Thunder Bay) returns following her OUA MVP season along with fellow sophomore Hilary Schrama (Fort McMurray, Alta.). The pair earned relay bronze at the nationals in 2009 and should help the ‘Wolves after acquiring a year of experience with the team. Junior Katherine Hall (Thunder Bay) returns after making key contributions to Lakehead’s last two title wins.

The commitment of OUA MVP Chris Hamilton and OUA all-star Scott Sullivan to the NTDC leaves several Thunderwolves with an opportunity to make an impact for the men’s team.

Sophomore Lachlan "LA" Armstrong (Thunder Bay) has battled injuries during the training season but, if healthy, has a chance to be an OUA all-star.

An injection of experience to the roster comes courtesy of fifth-year senior Owen Gray (Owen Sound, Ont.) who joins the Lakehead team after four years at the University of Guelph.

Freshman Greg "Killer" Kilroy (Powassan, Ont.) brings a wealth of potential to the team. A tough, ambitious skier, Kilroy has an opportunity to development into an OUA all-star and should make immediate contributions while seniors, Josh Robinson (Timmins, Ont.) and Robb Martin (Timmins, Ont.) round out the men’s roster.