Gogebic Community College started the second year of their men's and women's cross-country running and nordic ski team programs on Monday. Eleven runners from across the UP and Wisconsin have committed to the cross-country running team, including nine men and two women. Men on the roster include six local runners: Dominic Beckman, Mike Gering, Ben Noren, Kyle Pallin and Stuart Stephens from Ironwood and Sam Kolesar from Bessemer. Runners from outside the area include Lucas Scherer and Ryan Goings from Munising, Michigan and Kyle Weber from Drummond, Wisconsin. The women runners include Kari Strand from Ironwood and Cathaleen Telosi from Milford, Michigan.

The team will travel to Houghton to participate in the Upper Peninsula Collegiate Season Opener on Friday. The team's schedule for the year is:

Sept 3 U.P. Collegiate Cross-Country Opener - MTU
Sept 11 UMD Invitational
Sept 18 Warhawk Invitational - Whitewater
Oct 2 Northland College Invitational
Oct 9 Cruising the Corridor - Ashland
Oct 13 Intra-squad 5K
Oct 22 U.P. Collegiate Championships - Marquette

The Nordic Ski Team has six athletes to date from a three-state area, including: Elizabeth Haataja Calumet, Michigan, Leif Gilsvek from Two Harbors, Minnesota, Micah Ohman from Orono, Minnesota, Ben Noren from Ironwood, Michigan, Kathaleen Telosi from Milford, Michigan and Kyle Weber from Drummond, Wisconsin.

According to Coach Will Andresen "I'm very happy with the caliber of runners and skiers this year. We have a very, very talented group that will surprise some of our four-year college competitors. It's great to see such a strong class with a nice combination of new and returning athletes, both local and from throughout a large geographic area."

Andresen noted that new runners and skiers are also welcome. For more information, contact Will Andresen at 906-932-2064.

Cross Country Running Team Website http://www.gogebic.cc.mi.us/athletics/running.shtm

Nordic Ski Team Website http://www.gogebic.cc.mi.us/athletics/nordic.shtm