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Biwabik Today
By the People, for the People
Nordic Skiers Sprint to State
Two CEC skiers compete at Minnesota High School Nordic Skiing State Meet
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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The Lumberjacks Nordic ski team had one of its best seasons in recent memory, with two skiers - Isaiah Langer and Ellis Allen - competing at the Minnesota State High School League Nordic Skiing State Meet. The pair took 10th place in the boys team sprint relay race, narrowly missing 11th place by just a tenth of a second.
Why it matters
Nordic skiing is a growing sport in Minnesota, and the Lumberjacks' strong performance at the state meet highlights the dedication and talent of the team. The sprint relay event was added to the section and state meets in 2022, providing an exciting new format for the sport.
The details
Langer and Allen earned their trip to State with a second-place finish at the Section 7 meet. At the state competition, they led their heat several times throughout the race, which features classic-style skiing with each team member completing two 1.2-kilometer laps. Despite some collisions and equipment issues affecting other teams, the CEC duo was able to avoid those challenges and put together a strong 10th-place finish.
- The Section 7 meet was held on February 4, 2026 at Giants Ridge in Biwabik.
- The Minnesota State High School League Nordic Skiing State Meet took place on February 11, 2026 at Giants Ridge in Biwabik.
The players
Isaiah Langer
A member of the Lumberjacks Nordic ski team who competed in the boys team sprint relay race at the Minnesota State High School League Nordic Skiing State Meet.
Ellis Allen
A member of the Lumberjacks Nordic ski team who competed in the boys team sprint relay race at the Minnesota State High School League Nordic Skiing State Meet.
Ann Gustafson
The head coach of the Lumberjacks Nordic ski team.
Bodyn Gunderson
A senior on the Lumberjacks Nordic ski team who narrowly missed qualifying for the state meet, finishing 13th in the pursuit race at the Section 7 meet.
What they’re saying
“Tenth place is a very strong showing when you're up against 24 of the highest performing teams statewide.”
— Ann Gustafson, Head Coach (Pine Knot News)
“Fortunately, they were able to avoid the collisions that happened at the start of the first two heats and the breaking of poles and such. They led their heat several times throughout their race. It was awesome.”
— Ann Gustafson, Head Coach (Pine Knot News)
“Tenth place is a very strong showing when you're up against 24 of the highest performing teams statewide.”
— Ann Gustafson, Head Coach (Pine Knot News)
What’s next
The Lumberjacks Nordic ski team will look to build on their strong performance at the state meet and continue to develop their talented roster of skiers for next season.
The takeaway
The Lumberjacks' success at the state meet showcases the growth and competitiveness of Nordic skiing in Minnesota, with the addition of the sprint relay event providing an exciting new format for the sport. The team's dedication and talent bode well for their future success.
