When the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics begin on Feb. 6 in Italy, Colby sports fans will have two standout Mule cross-country skiers to cheer on: Jack Young '25, who is competing for the United States, and Maddie Hooker '27, who will be skiing for Australia. 

It's a heady moment for the Colby community as a whole, and especially for a ski program that consistently produces NCAA Championship qualifiers and All-Americans.

Tracey Cote, the head coach of men's and women's Nordic skiing, said that the fact that Young and Hooker will compete in the Olympics reflects on the athletes' commitment and skill, as well as on the Nordic program at Colby.  

"They have worked so hard and prioritized skiing at the highest level in their lives," she said. "Both their stories are so inspirational, and I just can't wait to keep watching them, as they are both so young to be competing at this level." 

CLICK HERE to read more and hear from both Hooker and Young 1/28