With winter in full swing, the Wayzata boys and girls Nordic ski teams are once again proving why the Trojan Nordic program is one of the most respected in Minnesota. Led by head coach Andrew Hansen, the program combines championship-level success with an inclusive, hard-working culture that keeps athletes coming back year after year.

Managing both the boys’ and girls’ teams, which together include nearly 85 high school skiers, is no small task. Coach Hansen says creating a sense of “one big team” takes intentional leadership and shared expectations.

“It’s definitely a challenge with varsity and JV all practicing together for many days,” Hansen said. “I delegate a lot to captains to try to include as many athletes as possible. Expectations are the same for everyone, and when we can, we do fun full-team activities.”

Leadership plays a huge role in shaping that environment. This season’s six senior captains, Lila Golomb, Miley Clark, Minnie Jackson, and Reese Horsley on the girls side, and Matthew Jenneke and Connor Viera on the boys side, lead by example every day.

“They’re at practice every day, communicating with other athletes and almost acting like additional coaches,” Hansen said.

That leadership reflects what is called the “Trojan Nordic” identity. Beyond wins and podium finishes, his goal is to develop lifelong skiers who care about the program long after graduation.

“I want them to want to ski in the future, at least recreationally,” he said. “It’s a wonderful lifelong sport. I also hope they leave with soft skills and continue to care about the program, whether that’s checking results or coming back to practice.”

On the competitive side, Wayzata Nordic continues to set the standard. The boys’ team has established itself as a powerhouse in the 2020s, winning state championships in 2018, 2024, and 2025, including back-to-back titles after a runner-up finish in 2023. The girls’ team has its own storied history, highlighted by a rare three-peat from 2013 to 2015 and four total state titles.

This season, both teams have clear but different goals heading into Sections and State.

“On the girls’ side, we have a very competitive, deep team, and the goal is to win the state meet,” Hansen said. “If they give their best effort, ski hard, and are prepared, that’s success.”

After graduating several seniors last year, the boys are focused on returning to the state meet. “Getting out of sections and making it to State would be a great success for us,” Hansen added.

Adapting to Minnesota’s unpredictable winters has become another challenge. With limited natural snow, the team often relies on creative scheduling and flexibility.

“We adapt our schedule to get as much snow as we can,” Hansen said. “Sometimes that means before school or late at night. When there’s snow at the high school, we take advantage of it.”

Several athletes have made major strides this year, including junior Ian Holst on the boys’ side, who has steadily improved since starting as a freshman and now skis as the team’s third scorer. On the girls’ team, Golomb continues to excel at both the state and national levels, while junior Maddie Gullickson made an immediate impact by earning a spot on the state roster in her first year of Nordic as a junior.

For students considering joining Nordic but worried about the intensity, Hansen emphasizes commitment over results.

“You don’t need to be super competitive or successful right away,” he said. “If you work hard and stay dedicated, it will be rewarding. You get to be outdoors, stay healthy, and get great exercise.”

Training varies throughout the season, starting with long endurance-focused workouts early on and shifting to harder race-pace intervals later. As State approaches, practices become sharper to prepare athletes for peak performance.

Despite the demanding nature of the sport, the team still finds time for fun traditions. Every year, Wayzata competes at the Mesabi East Invitational, the largest high school ski race in North America, where athletes take a team photo in front of the race’s famous moose statue.

With championship banners behind them and ambitious goals ahead, Wayzata Nordic continues to prove that success comes from more than just fast skis. It comes from culture, leadership, and a shared love for the sport.