Former Northern Michigan University nordic skier Zak Ketterson competes in a race during his time with the Wildcats. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — A former men’s nordic skier at Northern Michigan University has been named to the United States’ Olympic cross country ski team.

Zak Ketterson of Minneapolis, a 2021 NMU graduate, skied for the Wildcats from 2016-21.

He was one of the best collegiate skiers in the nation while at Northern, earning multiple All-American honors, all-conference awards, regional honors and victories, and Central Collegiate Ski Association Skier of the Year.

He was the men’s recipient of the school’s 2020-21 Gildo Canale Outstanding Senior Award for all sports because of his athletic excellence and leadership.

Since finishing at NMU, he has progressed into a professional skiing career, joining the U.S. Ski Team, winning a World Cup relay gold medal, and competing at world championships and World Cup events representing the U.S.

The U.S. men’s team at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy features Olympic veterans Ben Ogden, JC Schoonmaker and Gus Schumacher of the 2022 Beijing Games. There’s also first-time Olympians Ketterson, John Steel Hagenbuch, Zanden McMullen, Hunter Wonders and Jack Young.

The American women’s team is led by Jessie Diggins, who will participate in her fourth and final Olympics and is the most decorated U.S. cross country skier in history. Joining her will be returning Olympians Rosie Brennan, Julia Kern, Novie McCabe and Hailey Swirbul, along with first-timers Lauren Jortberg, Kendall Kramer and Samantha “Sammy” Smith.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the news. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.