Athletics

Nordic Program

The SMS Nordic Program has combined sport science, a proven training program, and efficient workouts to boast one of the most successful Nordic programs in the country.
Its unprecedented national and international success has produced 16 Olympians in the past seven Winter Olympics. Over 35 SMS Nordic athletes have made the U.S. World Junior Team and 25 have made the U.S. National Team. Contact Nordic Director Matt Boobar with questions.

List of 2 items.

  • Nordic Program Philosophy

    The Stratton Mountain School Nordic Program strives to develop individuals with an appreciation for an active, outdoor lifestyle and a love of the sport while providing every opportunity for success at the highest levels. Nordic skiers at SMS are expected to be model students, dedicated athletes, and exemplary citizens of the school community.

    We take a long-term and complete-athlete approach in our development process. The SMS Nordic program focuses on solid, consistent training in a variety of modes as well as appropriate exposure to regional, national, and international level competition. This is achieved in a team environment, emphasizing camaraderie, respect, and accountability. 

    In pursuit of athlete education, we create an environment that allows student-athletes to understand and take ownership of the processes that facilitate improvement and success and equip them with the tools to achieve their goals. Skiers leave SMS with the knowledge needed to continue their progress as athletes and individuals regardless of their path— a collegiate ski program, the US Ski Team, academic pursuits, or other personal goals. 
  • Why Stratton Mountain School?

    The SMS Nordic Program believes in developing individuals with an appreciation for healthy outdoor lifestyles and a love of the sport while providing every opportunity for success at the highest level. We use a combination of sports science, a proven training program, and team camaraderie to boast one of the most successful Nordic programs in the country. Our unprecedented national and international success has produced 16 Olympians in the past seven Winter Olympics, over 35 U.S. World Junior Teammates, and 25 National Team placements.

    Our Mission
    Since the founding of the school in 1972, the SMS Nordic Program’s mission has been to provide an environment that offers each student the opportunity to pursue excellence in competitive winter sports and college-preparatory academics, while developing strong personal values. In pursuit of this mission, SMS Nordic athletes develop a training foundation that prepares them for the international level. 

    The Process
    As younger athletes enter the program, the coaches focus on building technique and speed while introducing them to a systematic training regimen. When they progress to the U18 and U20 levels, the program builds into more specific training. Athletes are given year-round training plans and racing opportunities. We take a long-term and complete-athlete approach in our development process, focusing on athlete education, consistent training in a variety of modes, as well as exposure to regional, national, and international-level competition. This is achieved in a team environment emphasizing camaraderie, respect, and accountability. Skiers leave SMS with the knowledge needed to continue their progress as athletes and individuals regardless of their path- a collegiate ski program, the US Ski Team, academic pursuits, or other personal goals.

2022-23 FAST FACTS

  • U23 World Cup Champion (Ben Ogden ‘18)
  • World Cup start rights to six SMS alumni
  • Top 10 finishes on the World Cup for four members of SMS T2 Elite Team
  • Three alumni at JWC/U23 Championships
  • Five  athletes qualified to JNs, continuing our streak of gold medals to 27 years
  • Three alumni in the top 10 at NCAAs
Regionally:
  • 21 Top 10 finishes at Eastern Cups
  • Chip Freeman, Class of 2023 Valedictorian
  • Fin Bailey, Class of 2023 Founders’ Award
Nationally:
  • Junior Nationals: Five athletes qualified and continued our streak of gold medals to 27 years
  • Fin Bailey (‘23), Jack Lange (‘22), Adam Witkowski (‘18) all named to the SMS T2 Elite team, making the entire men’s roster SMS alums
  • Chip Freeman (‘23) qualified for the National Elite Group camp
  • Fin Bailey ('23) and Jack Lange ('22) were named to the National Training Group 
  • NCAA's: Four SMS alums and Elite Team skiers in the top 10 (Will Koch (‘20), Jack Lange (‘22), Sophia Laukli (PG’18), Sydney Palmer-Leger (Elite))
Internationally: 
  • Ben Ogden (‘18) Top U23 on the World Cup
  • Julia Kern (PG’16) ranked 7th in World Cup sprint standings
  • World Cup Starts: Will Koch (‘20), Adam Witkowski (‘18), Ben Ogden (‘18), Julia Kern (PG’16), Lauren Jortberg (PG’16), Sophia Laukli (PG’18), Alayna Sonnesyn (SMS T2 Elite Team), and Sydney Palmer-Leger (SMS T2 Elite Team)
  • World University Games: Alumni Adam Witkowski (‘18) and Will Koch (‘20) 2nd and 3rd in the sprint qualifier, respectively
  • Junior World Championships: Jack Lange placed 11th and Maddie Hooker (‘23) qualified for Australian Junior World Championship team
  • U23 World Championships: Sydney Palmer-Leger 2 top 10s, Sophia Laukli top 5
  • U18 Nations Cup trip to Finland: Fin Bailey earned a gold medal and two top 10 finishes
  • International Junior Camp in Tromso, Norway: Fin Bailey and Jack Lange

2022-23 Season Highlights

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  • NCAA Championships

    Top-ten Results: 2; Will Koch ’19 (7th) &  Lina Sutro (9th)
  • NENSA Regional Teams

    • The entire boys’ team was named to the NENSA Eastern U16 and Eastern High School Championship teams. 
    • Miley Bletzer '25 was named to the NENSA Eastern U16 Championship team.
    • Mathias Boudreau-Golfman ’21, Jack Lange ’22, and Janne Koch ’22 were invited to the NENSA Regional Elite Group Camp. 
    • Fin Bailey ’23, Wyatt Teaford ’23, David Shycon ’23, Micah Bruner ’25, and Miley Bletzer ’25 were invited to the eastern U16 Elite Devo camp.
  • VT NENSA Eastern State Championships

    • Top-ten Results: 29 
  • NENSA VT Cups

    • Top-ten Results: 63
    • Podium Finishes: 30
    • First-place finishes: 11
    • Fin Bailey ’23 (U16) won every race that he entered.
  • Vermont Cup Series

    • Gold: 13
    • Silver: 14
    • Bronze: 8
  • Vermont FIS Series

    • Gold: 5
    • Silver: 6
    • Bronze: 4

2023-24 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team

A Team:
Jessie Diggins (SMS T2 Elite Team)
Julia Kern PG‘16
Ben Ogden '18
 
B Team: 
Sydney Palmer-Leger (SMS T2 Elite Team)
Sophia Laukli (PG’18)
 
D Team:
Will Koch ‘20
Ava Thurston (SMS T2 Elite Team)

SMS Nordic College Placements

Class of 2023
  • Fin Bailey UVM/PG year with SMS T2 Elite
  • Elise Creagan: McGill University
  • Chip Freeman: Williams College
  • Maddie Hooker: Colby College
  • Margo Nightingale: Colby College
  • David Shycon PG year with Sun Valley
  • Wyatt Teaford: Bates College

Stay Connected


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Stratton Mountain School is an independent boarding and day school that focuses on college preparatory academics and competitive winter sports. Located at the base of Stratton Mountain, SMS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.