Although there won't be that pack leader skiing for the Detroit Lakes boys' and girls' Nordic ski teams, there will be solid depth for the 2012-13 seasons.
With Jake Richards (graduated) and Berit Ramstad-Skoyles (foreign exchange program) not on this year's teams, the Lakers will look to quantity to fill the voids.
For the Laker boys, there are five solid, experienced skiers returning in Ian Fritz, Zach Foltz, Austin Clem, Montana Johnson and Austin Askelson.
"We picked up good numbers for the boys and that's nice to see," said DL Nordic head coach Dan Josephson. "We won't have that super-star individual, but this as a whole, is one of my strongest teams."
The boys' team will have stiff competition in practice for the starting seven slots during meets.
ADVERTISEMENT
So, in essence, no spots are safe.
"We have a lot of new kids waiting in line, so there will be no guaranteed spots," Josephson said. "The depth is definitely there."
The Laker girls will be led by returners Miranda Olson and Jill Feuillerat.
Numbers are not as good for the girls, but the ones out, are working hard on improvement, Josephson said.
"There will be a testing out process after we put some girls on the varsity level and see how they respond," the DL coach said.
The Lakers will open the season Saturday in Grand Rapids, starting at 10 a.m.
They will host the DL Invite at Maplelag Resort Dec. 20.
