Meet the 2024-25 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team

Exciting News: The 2024-25 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team is Here!

On September 17, 2024, U.S. Ski & Snowboard proudly unveiled the roster of 27 athletes chosen for the 2024-25 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team. This season follows a groundbreaking year for American cross country skiing, filled with achievement and recognition.

The A Team features renowned athletes, including Olympic champion and 2023-24 overall Crystal Globe winner Jessie Diggins, two-time Olympian Rosie Brennan, and World Championships bronze medalist Julia Kern. Also returning are 2022 Olympians Ben Ogden and JC Schoonmaker. Adding to the excitement, new members Gus Schumacher, Sophia Laukli, and Sammy Smith have made impressive entries into the A Team. Notably, Schumacher soared from the B Team after an extraordinary season, where he became the youngest American to win a Cross Country World Cup event in Minneapolis, and the first male to clinch a distance World Cup in over four decades.

Sophomore Sammy Smith recently began her collegiate soccer career at Stanford University but has proven to be a dynamic sprinter on the team. Sophia Laukli, who captured her first World Cup victory last season during the grueling Alpe Cermis hill climb at the Tour de Ski, has also earned a promotion.

Program Director Chris Grover expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season:

"The continued success and leadership of our women’s team is now matched with the tenacious energy and breakthrough performances of our young men’s squad. Our World Cup service program continues to provide incredible experience and depth, propelling U.S. athletes toward historic milestones. The U.S. cross country community is energized and working harder than ever before. We can’t wait to watch this group of talented athletes showcase their abilities on the World Cup, at the 2025 Trondheim Nordic World Ski Championships, and the 2025 Schilpario World Junior and U23 Champs."

Team Breakdown

Men
A Team
- Ben Ogden
- James Schoonmaker
- Gus Schumacher

B Team
- Kevin Bolger
- Michael Earnhart
- John Steel Hagenbuch
- Luke Jager
- Zak Ketterson
- Will Koch
- Zanden McMullen

Development Team
- Fin Bailey
- Zach Jayne
- Trey Jones
- Murphy Kimball
- Jack Lange
- Derek Richardson
- Jack Young

Women
A Team
- Rosie Brennan
- Jessie Diggins
- Julia Kern
- Sophia Laukli
- Samantha Smith

B Team
- Haley Brewster
- Novie McCabe
- Sydney Palmer-Leger

Development Team
- Kendall Kramer
- Ava Thurston