WILMINGTON — On Thursday USA Nordic Sport nominated Lake Placid natives Kai McKinnon and Tate Frantz as two of 31 American athletes named to its 2023-24 National and Junior National Nordic combined and ski jumping teams.
McKinnon, 15, a New York Ski Educational Foundation Winter Term Nordic combined athlete, was named to the Nordic Combined Junior National Team. McKinnon is also a two-sport varsity athlete at Lake Placid High School, competing in cross country and track and field.
Frantz, 18, is a former NYSEF athlete who now trains in Norway. He was named to the Ski Jumping Junior National team. Frantz competed in his first-ever ski jumping World Cup competition this February in Lake Placid.
Athletes achieved the nominations based on selection criteria designated by USANS. They will have the option of being part of the 2023-24 U.S. Nordic combined or ski jumping teams.
“It has been incredible following Tate’s success after working with him through his formative years as a Nordic athlete at NYSEF,” NYSEF’s head ski jumping coach Colin Delaney said in a statement. “Watching him compete in his first World Cup start on his home hill this past winter was icing on the cake, followed up with naming to the World Championship team this past season. He is right on the heels of the national team athletes, and I am excited to see what this season brings.”
The nominations were made after the conclusion of the 2022-23 competition season, and athletes will have the option of accepting nominations prior to the 2023-24 season. The final teams for the season will be named this coming fall.
“It is equally exciting to see Kai’s hard work recognized after a long and successful season,” Delaney added. “We will be working hard to continue this trend in the year ahead.”
NYSEF’s Director of Winter Term Beatty Schlueter said the collaboration between NYSEF, McKinnon’s family and Lake Placid High School created a strong foundation for McKinnon and set her up for success.
“This nomination to the junior team is a true reflection of the path Kai has been paving for herself for a few years now,” Schlueter said. “She has big goals and the work ethic to achieve them. We can’t wait to see what the future brings for her!”
Below is the list of USA Nordic Sport 2023-24 team nominations:
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2023-24 NORDIC COMBINED NATIONAL TEAMS
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Men’s National Team
¯ Ben Loomis, 24, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Flying Eagles Ski Club
¯ Carter Brubaker, 19, Anchorage, Alaska, Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
¯ Grant Andrews, 25, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
¯ Jared Shumate, 24, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
¯ Niklas Malacinski, 19, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
¯ Stephen Schumann, 23, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
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Women’s National Team
¯ Alexa Brabec, 18, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
¯ Annika Malacinski, 22, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
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2023-24 SKI JUMPING NATIONAL TEAMS
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Men’s National Team
¯ Andrew Urlaub, 22, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Flying Eagles Ski Club
¯ Casey Larson, 24, Barrington, Illinois, Norge Ski Club
¯ Decker Dean, 22, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
¯ Erik Belshaw, 18, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
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Women’s National Team
¯ Anna Hoffmann, 23, Madison, Wisconsin, Blackhawk Ski Club
¯ Annika Belshaw, 20, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
¯ Josie Johnson, 16, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
¯ Paige Jones, 20, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
¯ Sam Macuga, 22, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
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2023-24 NORDIC COMBINED JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAMS
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Men’s Junior Team
¯ Caleb Zuckerman, 17, Norwich, Vermont, Ford K. Sayre Memorial Ski Council
¯ Elias Oswald, 15, Anchorage, Alaska, Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
¯ Skyler Amy, 17, Anchorage, Alaska, Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
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Women’s Junior Team
¯ Eva Minotto, 15, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
¯ Kai McKinnon, 15, Lake Placid, New York Ski Educational Foundation
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2023-24 SKI JUMPING JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAMS
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Men’s Junior Team
¯ Arthur Tirone, 15, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
¯ Isak Nichols, 16, Barrington, Illinois, Norge Ski Club
¯ Jason Colby, 17, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
¯ Maxim Glyvka, 17, Fox River Grove, Illinois, Norge Ski Club
¯ Tate Frantz, 18, Lake Placid, New York Ski Educational Foundation
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Women’s Junior Team
¯ Adeline Swanson, 17, Woodbury, Minnesota, St. Paul Ski Club
¯ Estella Hassrick, 16, Madison, Wisconsin, Blackhawk Ski Club
¯ Rachael Haerter, 18, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
¯ Sandra Sproch, 15, Chicago, Illinois, Norge Ski Club
Source: Adirondack Daily Enterprise
