Sports – The Mirror

Northwood Alum Selected in First Round of MLS Draft

January 29, 2026 by Josh Baker

After a breakout sophomore season at Georgetown University, in which Mitchell Baker ’24 helped the Hoyas win the Big East Championship and make the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament, many started saying that an MLS Club would draft Mitch. After all, he was the 8th leading goal scorer in the country, a 2nd Team All American, a Mac Herman Semifinalist, a unanimous selection for the All-Big East team, as well as being a “true freshman”, having gone to college a year early at 17 years of age.

Baker celebrates a goal for Georgetown. Photo: Georgetown Hoyas

The Colorado Rapids post announcing Baker’s pick. (Instagram)

On December 18^th, 2025, Baker’s dream became a reality when he received a call from the Colorado Rapids at the 10^th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, marking the start of his professional soccer career. With that selection, Mitchell made history for Northwood, becoming the first alumnus to be drafted in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, a huge milestone for both Mitch and the school.

Before his journey to the United States, Mitch, born in Melbourne, Australia, spent 10 years in Hong Kong, which led him to take up soccer instead of Australian Rules Football. He played for the Kitchee FC, a local professional academy, and the Hong Kong Football Club. Upon returning to Australia, Mitch played for Melbourne Victory (an A-League academy). Halfway through his freshman year, Baker made a huge move to the US at age 15 to Northwood School. Moving across to the other side of the world was challenging for Mitchell as he had to adjust to an entirely new environment. Although it was hard, it played a huge role in his character development.

Whilst Mitch had always been tall, he only physically developed after he arrived in the USA and switched from CB/CM to striker. He made a significant impact on the Northwood/Black Rock soccer program. During his sophomore year, he scored 56 goals and 19 assists, placing him on the radar for colleges across the country. Shortly after his sophomore year, he committed to Georgetown University. In his Junior year, Mitch scored 73 goals and 13 assists as a U19. That successful season allowed Mitch to make another bold decision, deciding to join the Georgetown Hoyas a year earlier than expected. Mitch totaled 141 goals and 39 assists in 121 games in his 2 and a half years at Northwood, a record that will be hard to beat.

Baker celebrates a goal while at Northwood. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

At Georgetown, Baker continued to grow beyond the score sheet. Georgetown coaches, teammates, and commentators were very impressed with Mitch’s technical skills and footwork, given his 6-foot 5 frame. They were also impressed by his aerial skills and his ability to hold the ball up and kick off both feet with equal skill. These skills were on display as he scored a brace as the Hoyas defeated UCF 2-0 in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Division 1 tournament.

Baker’s unique athletic attributes, paired with his consistent performances, attracted many MLS scouts who were looking at potential draft picks. What makes his selection even more special is that he told clubs he would not leave college until after he graduated.

Baker is a sophomore in the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown, majoring in Finance and minoring in Entrepreneurship, and he is accelerating his graduation path. He still managed a 3.8 GPA despite his workload and earned Second Honors last semester.

Interview with Mitch Baker regarding his Draft Day and journey:

What did it feel like when you got drafted 10^th overall in the MLS Superdraft?

“It was a dream come true. You look back at where it started and how tough the journey was, but it is satisfying to know that it was all worth it at the end of the day.”

What does it mean to be the first Northwood Alumnus drafted in the first round?

“It’s a special achievement for me, considering how big a role Northwood played in getting me to where I am. I’m just proud to represent the school in this way.”

Who are you most thankful for along the way?

“My family, without a doubt. I’m also thankful for the coaches and teachers at both Northwood and Georgetown because without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

How did you find the move from Australia to the United States?

“At first, it was challenging being away from mates and family, but overall, I think it forced me to mature and develop as a person.”

What excites you the most about joining the Colorado Rapids?

“I’m excited to be in a competitive environment surrounded by people with similar goals to me. I’m also excited because I think this will give me a feel for the professional lifestyle. Being drafted is great, but it doesn’t guarantee a contract (unlike other sports drafts). There is a lot of hard work to come, but I’m ready for the challenge!”

Baker’s journey from Melbourne to Lake Placid, to Washington, DC, and potentially Colorado is quite remarkable. His journey involved risk and hard work, which paid off. As he continues his path, his story will be seen as a milestone for the Northwood program, and it will be exciting to watch!

Filed Under: People, Sports, Top Story

Varsity Hockey League Weekend Preview

January 29, 2026 by Andrew Sherland

This weekend, the Varsity team travels to New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts, for a United Tier 1 Hockey League (UT1HL) weekend. This is their second league weekend, and they went 2-2 at the previous UT1HL weekend. Northwood is 3-3 in the league and is looking to add to its win total this weekend.

The Huskies will start their weekend against Velocity Academy on Friday at 6:20 pm. On Saturday, Northwood faces off against Epic Academy at 1:10 pm. Later that day, they play the New Hampshire Avalanche at 8:10 pm. On Sunday, Northwood wraps up its weekend against Northeast Academy at 9:20 am. This weekend is huge for the Huskies as it is their last taste of league play before the playoffs, so a good weekend will result in a good seed for the postseason.

“I am very excited for this weekend! I think that we have had a really solid week of practice, and we are ready to go. We need to play together and trust each other to be successful. Our expectations are very high, and we need to step up our level of play,” said Henrik Hinse ‘27.

Filed Under: Sports

Two Ghanaian Soccer Talents at Northwood

January 29, 2026 by Josh Baker

There are two Ghanaian student-athletes, Abdul Baaki and Samuel Andoh, who are making an enormous impact on the field here at Northwood School. They have both brought unique stories filled with talent, sacrifice, and hard work, inspiring others in the soccer program.

Abdul Baaki ’28 (left) and Samuel Andoh ’28. Photo provided.

Abdul Baaki ’28 and Samuel Andoh ’28 share a lot more than just their home country. Both grew up in Ghana with an ambition to succeed educationally and in soccer. They both flew thousands of miles to chase their dreams at Northwood. But their journeys were quite different before intersecting here at Lake Placid.

Abdul grew up in Kumasi, one of Ghana’s largest cities. It is a well-known city for producing soccer talents. Ever since Abdul could touch a ball, his ability stood out immediately. Many people knew that he had something special about him. His talent was seen by Indian Mountain School, which eventually offered Abdul a scholarship. He stayed in the program for three years, continuing to develop both on and off the pitch. His experience at IMS prepared him well for the next step in his career, leading him to Northwood. Now he is playing as a winger for the U17s as a 2010. Despite being younger than many on the team, he has consistently been on the score sheet, using his incredible technical ability and speed. His style of play reflects flair and creativity, a trait commonly associated with West African soccer.

A young Abdul with Mohammed Kudus. Photo provided.

Andoh’s journey to Northwood began even earlier. Andoh left his home in Ghana to join Northwood School as a 9^th grader. He had a clear goal: to chase his dream of becoming a professional soccer player and to have an education that was not possible in his hometown. The adjustment to Northwood meant not only a new country but also a new academic system, faster-paced learning, and a different style of play. Despite these challenges, Andoh has performed well, establishing himself as a key player in the U17s.

Andoh with Mohammed Kudus. Photo by 3Sports Ghana

On the field, Andoh plays as a Striker and brings a physical style shaped by his experiences in Ghana. He was previously named Player of the Tournament at a competition held in Ghana by Mohammed Kudus, a Ghanaian who currently plays for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. Andoh is known for his skills, speed, and goal-scoring ability. This has helped him establish himself as a consistent goalscorer for the U17s.

Watch Mohammed Kudus’s Instagram post regarding the tournament: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLxfjhoN9xr/?igsh=aTgxZGJ2OGU0dWp6

Interview with Samuel Andoh and Abdul Baaki regarding their journey so far:

What is the most significant difference between playing soccer in Ghana and playing here?

Abdul: “The biggest difference is physicality. In Ghana, soccer is a lot more physical than here.”

Andoh: “The biggest difference is the surface. In Ghana, we do not have the resources we have here, so instead of turf, we played on rough grounds.”\

What are your goals this year?

Abdul: “My goal is to have 70 goals and assists by the end of the year.”

Andoh: “My goal is to score 60 goals by the end of this year.”

What has been the hardest adjustment since moving to Northwood?

Abdul: “The hardest part has been the travel schedule. When we get back from games at 01:00 a.m. and must go to school, it is hard.”

Andoh: “The hardest part has been trying to communicate with others.”

Together, Abdul and Andoh are a lot more than just talented soccer players. Their stories contain sacrifice, resilience, and the nature of opportunity. These stories show how special this opportunity at Northwood is and how Northwood can be a big step in a person’s life.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Sports

Champions League Update

January 28, 2026 by Noah Moodey

This past Tuesday and Wednesday were quite eventful in the world of soccer: the second-to-last match day of the Champions League – soccer’s biggest club tournament, played out dramatically with clashes between the world’s best in every corner of the globe. The tournament bracket is set up as follows: 36 of the best teams from across Europe are added to a single league. In this league, the top 8 teams at the end of the 8 “matchdays” automatically qualify for the final round, which is an elimination tournament featuring 16 teams. The other 28 teams compete in a play-in to fill the last 8 slots. Most recently, matchday 7 concluded, with numerous results worth reporting.

Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon pulled off a massive upset against the reigning champions Paris St. Germain. This win bumps Sporting within striking distance of the top 8. Across Europe in England, Arsenal secured a massive win against Italian giants Inter Milan with a 3-1 victory. A Liverpool team in much need of 3 points emphatically battered French side Marseille 3-0 on enemy soil to bump them up to 4^th in the table. Lastly, Spanish giants Real Madrid put 6 goals, including a brace (2 goals) from star striker Kylian Mbappe, past a young and talented AS Monaco side, to push themselves to safety in 3^rd place.

Goal scorer and match-winner Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid is celebrating the second of his two goals. Photo: FOTMOB

However, aside from Arsenal, currently top of the table, and Bayern Munich, a close second, none of the remaining 8 slots are at all secure. Just 2 points separate 3^rd place from 12^th, meaning in the final match week, everything is up for grabs. Every team will be putting their life on the line because this could be where many Champions League campaigns end. Some games to look out for are Paris St. Germain vs. Newcastle United, Newcastle are within striking distance of the top 8 and Paris are in 6^th, easily replaceable in the top 8 and Benfica vs Man City, Benfica is a powerful Portuguese team with a lot of history, and Man City despite having an amazing season are coming of two losses in a row and lacking confidence.

Regardless of what happens, it is sure to be an exciting matchday, full of goals, controversy, drama, and last-minute heroics. Standings this tight leading up to the final game have never been seen before. 12 teams competing for the final 6 safety slots are sure to bring the excitement, and while the table may seem set for the next round, I assure you, there will be some changes. Stay tuned because you won’t want to miss this upcoming match week, the last match week for a couple of weeks.

Filed Under: Sports

The Senior Night Tradition Continues

January 27, 2026 by Anna Monette

Although the Northwood tournament is always special, it was especially so for the Girls’, Varsity, and Prep hockey teams, who had their senior night games. All the teams celebrated their seniors by having their names called, sharing their future plans, and then taking a picture on the ice with their family and loved ones. After their senior games, all the teams celebrated by having a “senior dinner.”

Seniors from the Varsity Team. Photo provided.

The boys’ varsity team has ten seniors. The senior varsity dinner was held in the Olympic Center banquet room, where they ate, and then the seniors received water bottles to remember their time at Northwood. “It’s my second year at Northwood and second Northwood tournament, and it was such a special night for the nine other seniors and me, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the parents and underclassmen,” said Harry Vant ’26.

Girls’ hockey has nine seniors, and had a very special night planned for them. The night began before the on-ice ceremony, in the locker room, when each underclass player gave a senior their senior basket. “It was crazy to see all the hard work the underclassmen did for our night, between the baskets and locker room being decorated, it was a great and emotional night,” said Anna Monette ’26.

A decorated locker in the girls’ locker room. Photo provided.

Seniors on the girls’ hockey team. Photo provided.

After the game, they celebrated with a senior dinner at the Voco hotel in Saranac, having dinner, a senior slideshow, and much more. The seniors also received Northwood blankets. “It was a great night celebrating all we have accomplished, and being a three-year senior, it was especially special for me, but the season definitely isn’t over yet,” said Monette.

The Prep team has 14 seniors; they celebrated their senior dinner at Big Z bowling alley. “The dinner was a lot of fun. We bowled, there was a golf simulator and even arcade games we were all playing,” said Charles Pigeon ’26, one of two third-year seniors on the Prep team.

The gifts given to the prep players. Photo provided.

Seniors (in hats) and the Prep team at Big Z’s.

“It was a fun night to celebrate all the seniors. I enjoyed the food and bowling as well as getting to know my teammates’ families a little more. For the gifts, each senior got their own water bottle and a custom hat. It was special because it celebrated all the boys and their hard work. Watching other seniors move on was always sad to me, and now I feel it is that time for me,” said Parker Thompson ’26, the other third-year senior on prep.

Senior Night during the Northwood Tournament was a meaningful way to honor the hard work, dedication, and memories made by each senior, making an already special weekend even more unforgettable.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Northwood Invitational Recap

January 27, 2026 by Andrew Sherland

The 46^th Annual Northwood Invitational was a mix of emotions for the Northwood teams. Some were ecstatic, some satisfied, and some disappointed. Overall, it was a great weekend of hockey and a celebration of the Northwood community.

Girls’ Hockey

The girls’ hockey team is the champion of the Northwood Invitational for the fourth year in a row. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

The Girls’ won their 4^th straight championship while maintaining a perfect 5-0 record this weekend. On Saturday, the Huskies crushed Academie Ste. Cecile 11-3, and then on senior night beat Nichols School 6-0. Sunday brought more of the same, as they beat Appleby College 9-0 in the last game of pool play. In the semifinals later that day, Northwood beat Nichols 4-1. The championship on Monday was a rematch of last year, when Hilary Wilkin ’25 scored the game-winning goal in OT, but this year was nowhere near that. Northwood beat Appleby 7-2, extending their streak to 4! Outscoring opponents 37-6, the Huskies handled business and left no doubt. The Girls head to Minnesota this weekend for a huge weekend against Shattuck St. Mary’s School, NAHA, and more. “I am super proud of our team! Winning this tournament was huge for us and our confidence as we head into the back end of our season. We will build on this momentum and continue to work hard and win games,” said Penelope St. Pierre ’27.

Prep Hockey

The Prep Hockey Conference (PHC) crossover was a success as well. On Saturday, Northwood kicked off its weekend against #2-ranked Shattuck St. Mary’s School, and huge performances from Henry Kress ’26 with 2 goals and Adam Sherman ’26, who posted a 0.955 SV%, carried the Huskies to a 4-1 win, avenging an 8-1 loss to Shattuck earlier in the season. On Sunday, the boys faced the #1-ranked Culver Academies on senior day. After beating Shattuck less than 24 hours earlier, Northwood was pumped up for this game. It was a back-and-forth game as the 1^st period ended 0-0. Culver got on the board first in the 2^nd period, but a snipe from Patrick McCormick ’26 tied the game up 1-1 at the end of the 2^nd period. Culver took a 2-1 lead in the 3^rd period, but Anton Stackow ’27 scored on the power play to tie the game late. The game went into OT, where Culver eventually won 3-2. While still a loss, the Huskies battled hard and were proud of their efforts. On Monday, Northwood ended their weekend against St. Andrew’s College (SAC), a huge rival. Henry Kress ’26 started things just 18 seconds in with a goal. Unfortunately, it was pretty much all SAC from there. In the 3^rd period, there was a long parade to the penalty box, and the game ended in a 5-2 win for SAC. Prep will head to the St. Andrew’s College MacPherson Tournament next week and is looking to bring home some hardware. After this weekend, Northwood remains 2^nd in the East Division and 5^th in the overall league standings. “We had a great team effort this weekend. It was a shame to fall short of Culver and SAC, but we have momentum to grow from, especially leading into MacPherson. The atmosphere was also great and super fun to play in all weekend. It was great to see my family on senior night, and I am glad that we performed how we did,” said Patrick McCormick ’26. Can we add the PHC logo?

Varsity Hockey

The Varsity team in action earlier this season. Photo: Jacob Slagel ’26.

Varsity opened its weekend against Bridgton Academy on Saturday. The game was deadlocked at 0-0 until Griffin Mangan ’26 sniped from in the slot to make it 1-0. Bridgton then tied it up 1-1. Then, Elliott Murch ’27 exploded for 2 goals, and the Huskies won 3-1. On Sunday morning, Northwood faced Blyth Academy and handled them with ease, winning 6-1. On Sunday night, Varsity had their senior night game against St. Francis Prep and honored 10 seniors for their dedication to Northwood. The game was a gritty matchup that featured a fight and saw 3 players ejected, including Jett Travis ’27 and Ray Peters ’27. Regulation ended 2-2, and per the tournament rules, they went directly to a 3-round shootout. Luke Hurlbut ’26 was fantastic in net, stopping both attempts by St. Francis. Elliott Murch ’27 scored on the first attempt, and Jack Pitts ’27 ended the game with a snipe for a 3-2 Huskies win! On Monday, Varsity faced Philadelphia Little Flyers in the semifinals at 7:15 in the morning, playing a tight game that came down to the wire, but ultimately lost 1-0. Atlantic Coast Academy won the tournament 6-2 over the Philadelphia Little Flyers. While not the outcome they wanted, the Huskies played hard all weekend and have a 3-1 record to show for it. They play Bishop Timon at home this weekend and look to continue their strong play. “I am happy with how the boys played this weekend. It definitely hurts that we weren’t able to win, but it’s nothing to hang our heads on. We have important games coming up, and we need to keep up our momentum and continue to work hard in practice and in the weight room,” said Ryan Demers ’27. Can we add a picture of the team in a huddle (preferably one different from the one in the last article)?

U16 Hockey

The U16 team had itself a very solid weekend. They started their weekend with a monstrous 10-1 win over Lovell Academy and then beat the Philadelphia Little Flyers 5-1. Heading into the second day, they faced Bishops College. The 16s split with Bishops College earlier in the season, so this was a very tight game. Ultimately, Bishops won 3-2. Northwood earned itself a spot in the semifinals against Nichols School, whom they handled easily, 9-3. The championship was set between Northwood and Atlantic Coast Academy on Monday. Northwood jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to Kelly Matozzo ’27, and not long after, Gavin Boccard ’27 tallied another one to extend the lead to 2-0. However, once the second half started, Atlantic Coast took all the momentum, netting a goal 5 minutes in the power play to make it 2-1. Then, a wild shot from behind the net deflected off Riley Doyle’s blocker and went in, evening things 2-2. With all the momentum, Atlantic Coast scored again to make it 3-2, then scored an empty netter for a 4-2 final. The final game was a bummer, but the weekend wasn’t a total failure, as the 16s still posted a 4-2 record and gained some good momentum heading into the PG Winter Classic this coming weekend. “This weekend was fun for sure. It was my first Northwood tournament, and it was great having my friends here to support me. It sucks that we didn’t win, but we need to find a way to close out games, and we are working on it. This momentum is much needed as we head into a tough stretch of games at the PG Winter Classic and South Kent,” said goalie Everett Marin ’28. Can we add a picture of the 16s team in the huddle or something?

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Two Northwood Alumni Named to Olympic Teams

January 26, 2026 by Jack Kroll

Photo by US Ski Team.

On Thursday, January 22, the US Ski Team announced its team for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. US Ski Jumper and Lake Placid Local and former Northwood student Tate Frantz was among those named to the team. And on January 26, Team Canada announced that ski cross athlete Kevin Drury ’06 would represent Canada in his third Olympics.

Frantz started jumping at the age of 9, but his Olympic dreams stretch back much further. “Since my first time on skis at the age of two, I’ve dreamt of having the honor to take part in the holy grail of sports,” said Frantz on his Instagram when he announced his naming to the team.

“I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet, but when I take a second to think, or look at my post or all the messages, I realize how freaking cool it is. I’m so beyond excited and proud of the work and years behind it.”

Frantz attended Northwood for a year in 2020-21. He then took the leap, moving to Norway to hone his skills. Then, 2 years later, he returned to Lake Placid in 2023 to make his World Cup debut.

Since then, Frantz has established himself on the World Cup circuit, racking up three Top 10s and a 14th-place finish at the World Championships in 2025. He also took home three medals in the 2025 Junior World Championships here in Lake Placid.

Kevin Drury ’06 (File/Getty Images)

At 37, Drury is set to compete in his third Olympic Winter Games. He narrowly missed the podium at the PyeongChang 2018 Games, finishing fourth in the big final. After several injury-affected seasons, Drury returned to top form last year, earning five World Cup podium finishes following a nearly three-year drought. In December, he captured his first World Cup victory since February 2020, marking his 19th career podium. Drury previously claimed the Crystal Globe in the 2019–20 season, one year after winning bronze at the FIS World Championships.

“I’m incredibly honored to represent Canada in a third Olympics,” Drury said in a statement released by Team Canada. “Really excited to finish my career with the opportunity to win a medal. For first-time Olympians, my advice is to take it all in, have fun, and enjoy the experience. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment, though I guess in my case it’s three in a lifetime, which I still can’t believe. “

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports, Top Story

Northwood Robotics Team Prepares for New Season

January 25, 2026 by Jacob Slagel

Northwood’s Robotics Team has begun preparing for the 2026 season with a new competition that combines familiar challenges with updated rules and game elements. Early in the season, the team focused on planning and building a practice setup to better understand the field before committing to a final robot design.

Robotics teacher Mr. Jeffrey Martin said this year’s competition is unique because it brings together elements from past games under an archaeology-themed challenge. “First Robotics is focusing on an archeological theme,” Martin said. “So, they’ve actually pulled all of the old game elements together into one game.”

Orrin Tracy-Deuss ’27 in the robotic lab at the Innovation Hub on Main Street. Photo: Jacob Slagel ’26.

One of the main scoring tasks involves collecting “fuel,” which Martin described as hard foam balls about six inches in diameter. Robots must pick them up and shoot them into a hexagonal funnel target that stands about 6 feet high. While the concept is similar to past challenges, Martin said differences in size and weight mean the robot will require new programming and mechanical adjustments.

The game also includes a human player role. According to Martin, a student can score fuel by throwing it into the funnel during matches. This adds another strategic layer and requires coordination between the robot and the human player.

Field obstacles will play a significant role in robot design this year. Martin said the drive train must be engineered to handle changes in angle, speed, and power to navigate the course effectively. “Obstacles are challenging, so we have to engineer our drive train so that it gets the right angles and the right speed and the right power,” he said.

The most demanding element of the competition may be the endgame climb. Teams must climb a three-level ladder, which Martin described as the most complicated challenge. He said the team is considering a ratcheting system and has already begun discussing design ideas. Despite the difficulty, Martin said he has been impressed with the group so far and believes they are up for the challenge.

Students said the new competition feels more complex than last year’s. Orrin Tracy Deuss ’27 said the game includes more parts and rules, even though there are fewer overall goals. “I think compared to last year, it’s got a lot more parts to it and a lot more rules to think about during the game,” Tracy Deuss said.

Instead of immediately building robot components, the team has prioritized constructing a practice field. Tracy Deuss said this step is important for understanding dimensions and objective placement before completing the robot’s specifications. “We’ve been really focusing on constructing a practice field for when we have a robot to test around on,” he said.

Flo Richard ’26 said the new season has encouraged more collaboration among students. “Since it’s a different project than the last one in the fall, we have a lot of problem-solving to do, and I think that’s a good thing,” Richard said. “It makes it exciting and makes us want to collaborate more in class.”

Other students described the season in simpler terms. Will Wong ’27 said the new competition is “exciting” and said he is looking forward to seeing how the season develops.

As the team moves from planning to building and testing, the coming weeks will focus on turning ideas into working mechanisms, especially for fuel intake, shooting accuracy, and the three-level climb. Martin said he is encouraged by how the team has started the season and is confident in their ability to compete.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports, Top Story

Huskies Fight for Spots on the 2026 Junior Worlds Team

January 25, 2026 by Jack Kroll

Midway through January, the Ski jumping and Nordic combined teams traveled to Ishpeming, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, to compete in the first set of Junior World Qualifiers. The team battled through tough conditions and came away with some good results.

The 2026 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships are being held in Lillehammer, Norway, in March. Previously, they were scheduled to be in Trondheim, Norway, but the venue has been changed. The United States has four spots on the team plus an alternate. Qualification is discretionary, but outside of international events, the main way to get on the team is through the 4 Junior World Qualification events. The first two just took place in Ishpeming, and the other two are in Brattleboro, Vermont, in February. Currently, one athlete has auto-qualified for the team based on World Cup results, leaving the other four spots (including the alternate) up for grabs.

Image of the Change of Venue Announcement for Junior Worlds. Photo by FIS.

This year, Ishpeming experienced a historic snowfall. As of January 20th, 2026, they are already 50-60 inches above their yearly winter average. This trend continued while the team was there, and it “snowed basically the entire time we were there,” Jack Kroll ’26 said. The snow brings “unique challenges to competing.”” The tracks can slow down, and the comp can become unfair. Also, the landing can become sticky, making it hard to land,” Henry Loher ’26 said.

Athletes also had to contend with high winds, especially on the second day of competition. Ishpeming is located 15-20 miles inland from Lake Superior, which creates strong winds and lake-effect snow.

The first competition was held on Friday, January 16^th – a night competition under the lights, starting at 7 pm. Hundreds of spectators came to watch 37 athletes compete in a US Cup Competition that would also serve as a World Junior Qualifier. The US Cup is a yearlong domestic competition series for U20 athletes. Henry Loher ’26 would keep his streak of 7 consecutive US Cup wins over the last two seasons. Jack Kroll ’26 finished just off the podium, in 4^th, followed by Duncan Van Dorn ’28 in 5^th, Eli Larkin ’27 in 8^th, and Cadel Cox ’27 in 12^th. Islay Sheil ’28 finished 4^th in the U20 Girls.

On the second day, conditions deteriorated during the trial round, and by the time the first round started, the wind and snow made jumping unsafe at times. This led to long wind holds and breaks to blow the snow out of the track. Additionally, there was a long hold after Max Fey ’28 crashed due to an equipment failure. Luckily, Max was able to walk away from the crash unharmed and take a second-round jump. Loher and Kroll finished 1^st and 2^nd, respectively, followed by Larkin in 8^th. Due to the conditions, the Nordic combined athletes chose not to risk taking a second jump, as only the first jump dictates your starting time for the cross-country race. Shiel finished 6^th in the U20 Girls.

Henry Loher ’26 1st and Jack Kroll ’26 on the podium. Photo provided.

On the Nordic combined side of things, Duncan Van Dorn ’28 led the way with two 4th places finishes, one in the 10k and one in the 5k. Unfortunately, Max Fey ’28 was disqualified on the first day for incorrect measurements. It was later determined that the people taking his measurements made the mistake, not him. On the second day, Fey started last due to his crash and made up solid time. On day one, Cadel Cox ’27 finished 9^th and finished in a photo finish on the second day.

Looking ahead, the team has an off weekend to prepare for the Eastern Championships in Salisbury, Connecticut, from the 6^th to the 8^th of February. The following weekend, February 14^th and 15^th, the team has the final two Junior World Qualifiers in Brattleboro, Vermont. Currently, Henry Loher ’26 leads the qualification with 200 points. Then, Jack Kroll ’26 is tied with another athlete for 2^nd place. “I have high hopes going into the second set. I was hoping for a 4^th or 5^th place in Ishpeming and then podiums in Brattleboro. Getting the podium in Ishpeming puts me in a great spot and takes some of the pressure off ahead of Brat,” Kroll said.

Filed Under: Sports

NFL: Conference Championships Preview

January 23, 2026 by Gavin Kruger

2025 has been a refreshing post-season for fans; with no Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Joe Burrow to speak of, they were likely to see a fun new matchup between quarterbacks who have not made a Super Bowl. Now, after the divisional round, the only team to have made the bowl in the last half-decade is the LA Rams.

The AFC and NFC championship games are set in stone: The Patriots will travel to Mile High to play Denver, while the Rams head north to Seattle for a chance at revenge, having lost a thriller in the regular season. How did the final four get this far? Here is the rundown:

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Photo: patriot.com.

In 2024, the Patriots were 4-13. Fast forward 365 days, and they finished the regular season 14-3; a shocking turnaround. Despite being the 2 seed in the AFC, many doubted the Pats – and still do – pointing to their easy schedule, and inability to beat playoff teams when they’ve come up against them. With convincing wins against the Chargers and Texans, the Patriots have silenced the naysayers.

DENVER BRONCOS

Photo: milehigh.com

The Broncos have leaned on their defense to win games – allowing only 18 points per game – as the saying goes, defense wins championships. This motto is especially true for the Broncos now, as quarterback Bo Nix is out for the remainder of the playoffs – a development that comes ahead of their matchup versus the Patriots this Saturday.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

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The Rams are the only team left in the playoffs with recent playoff DNA. In fact, they are the only ones to have reached the divisional round since 2020 (before 2025). The Rams, led by MVP candidate Matthew Stafford, along with All-pro receiver Puka Nacua and head coach Sean McVay know how to win; they demonstrated as much in their nail-biting final drive against the Carolina Panthers in the wildcard round, followed by an overtime win against Chicago – though they haven’t won convincingly, they’ve found ways to win close games, and that is a sign of a great team.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

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Sam Darnold deserves an apology. Granted, he had a horrific start to his NFL career before being reborn in Minnesota last season and is now cementing himself this season as an upper-echelon NFL quarterback. As the #1 seed, the Seahawks did not play in the wildcard; in the divisional, they played the 49ers. How would Seattle fare against a 9ers team with a playoff pedigree? They shellacked them, winning 41-6.

PREDICTIONS

Here are my predictions for the conference championship games:

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Patriots @ Broncos

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This matchup has become really interesting now that Bo Nix is out for Denver. The Broncos have the best squad, but New England has a QB; Denver does not. Despite the injury, I am taking the Broncos. Both teams are vastly inexperienced in the playoffs, but Denver has the Super Bowl-winning head coach and the outstanding defense. I am not a Patriot believer, and this will be the end of the road for Drake Maye – the Broncos win 20-17.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Rams @ Seahawks

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I will start by saying that the winner of this year’s Super Bowl will be the winner of this matchup. I like both teams a lot, and going into the playoffs, though they were the two best teams. That being said, I am picking the Rams over the Seahawks. I am a big believer in experience, and LA has plenty of it. Stafford will march down the field with a minute left, and get them into field goal range, winning via a walk-off kick – Rams win 30-27.