USA name 2016-17 cross-country and biathlon team

“All of our athletes have shown themselves to be competitive as they continually challenge for medals on the international stage.”

Seven athletes, including five US Paralympians, were announced to the 2016-2017 US Paralympics Nordic Skiing National Team by US Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee.

“The high quality of our national team this season is very encouraging,” said Paralympic Nordic Skiing head coach Eileen Carey. “All of our athletes have shown themselves to be competitive as they continually challenge for medals on the international stage.”

Headlining the team is two-time Paralympic medallist Oksana Masters who comes off a perfect 2015-16 campaign in cross-country competition. She went undefeated in sprint, middle and long distances to claim her second consecutive overall World Cup globe in the women’s sitting at the IPC Cross-Country Skiing World Cup Finals in Vuokatti, Finland, in March. She also amassed the most World Cup cross-country points throughout the season than any other female on the circuit.

The roster also includes three military veterans: Sean Halsted, retired, Air Force, Bryan Price, retired Army and Paralympic medallist Andy Soule, retired Army.

Making their national team debut are two newcomers Joy Rondeau and Mia Zutter. Both competed in their first international competitions at the World Cup in Finsterau, Germany.

Team USA finished 2015-16 strong with nine medals in the final two World Cups, including three gold medals at the World Cup Finals. The team will face an important year in preparation for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, including the 2017 World Championships.

2016-2017 US Paralympics Nordic skiing national team

A team

• *Oksana Masters (Louisville, Kentucky), women’s sit ski

• *#Andy Soule (Pearland, Texas/Army), men’s sit ski

B team

• *Jake Adicoff (Sun Valley, Idaho), men’s visually impaired

Development team

• *#Sean Halsted (Rathdrum, Idaho/Air Force), men’s sit ski

• *#Bryan Price (Belton, Missouri/Army), men’s sit ski

• Joy Rondeau (Granby, Colorado), women’s sit ski

• Mia Zutter (Sun Prairie, Wisconsin), women’s visually impaired

*Denotes 2014 US Paralympian

# Denotes retired US Military