Lake Minnetonka Nordic Skier Selected for Junior National Team

Mound Westonka High School junior Scott Harrison was among the elite cross-country athletes named to the 2013 Midwest Junior National Ski Team.
 
Harrison earned a spot on the J1 Under 18 Boys team as a result of his placings in qualifying meets this season. Midwest head coach Reid Lutter selected 42 athletes plus pre-qualified athletes for the Junior National team (renamed this year from the Junior Olympic ski team) following the completion of the last qualifying event at Theodore Wirth Park on Jan. 27.
 
The team will compete in the USAA Marriott Junior Nationals March 7-17 in Fairbanks, Alaska. This prestigious ski event at Birch Hill Recreational Ski Area brings together hundreds of athletes, ages 12-18, from around the country for a weekend of individual and relay races.
 
"It means a lot to me to be named to the Junior National team and to get a chance to compete against the best skiers in the country,” Harrison said. “The races and the whole experience in Alaska will be really exciting."
 
The other skiers in Harrison’s age group are also from local high schools: Hopkins, Mounds View, Minnehaha Academy, Eden Prairie and St. Louis Park. According to Sue Harrison, MWHS head cross-country ski coach and Scott’s mother, most of these schools have had skiers on the Junior National Team in previous years, but Scott is the first MWHS skier to receive this honor.

"We are extremely excited and proud to have Scott Harrison represent our White Hawks Nordic ski team and the Westonka School District with this wonderful honor," Westonka Activities Director Dion Koltes said. "Scott's dedication and commitment to his craft have allowed him the opportunity to pursue this challenge. We wish him the best of luck and know that he will represent us well."
 
Sue Harrison said being named to the Junior National team is “a really big honor.”
 
"Scott's skiing has improved dramatically over the last year,” Sue Harrison said. “He has worked hard all year, especially in the summer, doing ski and running training six days a week. It is rewarding to see all his work pay off!"
 
In addition to being selected for the Junior National Team, Scott has also moved up to second in the state high school rankings this week and was named to the All-Wright County Conference team.