MARQUETTE — Former Northern Michigan University Wildcat nordic skier, Zak Ketterson, has been named to the 2026 US Olympic cross-country ski team. Ketterson hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was with the Wildcats from the 2016/17 season through the 2020/21 season.

Ketterson was one of the best collegiate skiers in the nation during his time at NMU, as he earned multiple All-American honors, All-Conference honors, regional victories and CCSA Skier of the Year. Ketterson was also named the male recipient of the 2020-21 Gildo Canale Outstanding Senior Award at NMU in recognition of his Nordic skiing excellence and leadership.

Since graduating in 2021, Ketterson has enjoyed a successful professional skiing career. Ketterson joined the U.S. Ski Team, winning a World Cup relay gold and competing at World Championships and World Cup events for the United States.

Ketterson will be joined on the Men’s U.S. Olympic cross country ski team by Ben Ogden, JC Schoonmaker, Gus Schumacher, John Steel Hagenbuch, Zanden McMullen, Hunter Wonders and Jack Young. The Women’s U.S. Olympic cross country ski team is made up of Jessie Diggins, Rosie Brennan, Julia Kern, Novie McCabe, Hailey Swirbul, Jauren Jortberg, Kendall Kramer and Samantha Smith.

The 2026 Winter Olympic games will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy from February 6th through February 22nd.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.