U.S. Cross Country Names Worlds Team

After World Cup cross country races wrapped up at the Whistler Olympic Park Sunday the U.S. Ski Team named its 13-member roster for the World Championships starting Feb. 19 in Liberec, Czech Republic.
After World Cup cross country races wrapped up at the Whistler Olympic Park Sunday the U.S. Ski Team named its 13-member roster for the World Championships starting Feb. 19 in Liberec, Czech Republic. 

“The athletes have been preparing for these World Championships as a main focus for the season,” U.S. Nordic Program Director John Farra said. “They are true fighters and I am very proud of the work they do to raise the level of U.S. cross country skiing.”

The event marks the first time a World Championships will be held at the nordic Mecca. “Liberec seems to have decent snow, and they making more to ensure that the venue will be ready to host the world’s best,” Farra says.

The 2009 FIS Cross Country World Championships Team:

Men
Chris Cook (6/15/80; Rhinelander, WI) * **
Kris Freeman (10/14/80; Andover, NH) * **
Torin Koos (7/19/80; Leavenworth, WA) * **
Garrott Kuzzy (11/26/82; Hayward, WI)
Andy Newell (11/30/84; Shaftsbury, VT) * **
James Southam (6/5/78; Anchorage) * **
Leif Zimmermann (10/3/86; Bozeman, MT) *

Women
Morgan Arritola (5/13/86; Ketchum, ID)
Caitlin Compton (11/7/80; Minneapolis) **
Kikkan Randall (12/31/82; Anchorage) * **
Morgan Smyth (2/10/86; Vernon, VT)
Liz Stephen (1/12/87; East Montpelier, VT)
Laura Valaas (3/02/84; Wenatchee, WA) **

* Past Olympian
** Past World Championship Team member