SMS has a long history of having the premier cross country ski program in the country. The impressive results that the nordic program continues to produce is evidence of this: 28 SMS nordic athletes have made the U.S. World Junior Team, 17 have made the U.S. National Team and an impressive 13 SMS nordic athletes have made the U.S. Olympic Team since 1980.

Since the founding of the school in 1972, our mission has been to provide an environment that offers each student the opportunity to pursue excellence in competitive winter sports and college-preparatory academics while developing strong personal values. The school is able to provide this level of excellence for two reasons; we have committed students and a professional coaching and academic staff. The training foundation that each athlete at SMS develops prepares them to take the next steps towards the international level.

Our Cross country skiers have had remarkable success because of our unique focus. Our young athletes acquire a love of the sport and develop the technical skills they need to build upon in later years. As J3 or J2 athletes enter our program, we focus on building technique and speed and introduce them to systematic training focusing on fun, specific and non-specific training programs. As they progress to J1’s and Older Juniors, we build into more systematic and specific training. 

In 2008 we had 14 athletes qualify for junior nationals. Nine of these skiers placed in the top ten. They also extended our streak to 12 consecutive years with a junior national gold medalist. The girls won the Roger Weston award as the best high school team in the country and the boys placed fourth. Other highlights include alumni Andy Newell placing 2nd in a World Cup, senior Sophie Caldwell placing 6th in the sprint preliminaries at the Junior World Championships and Sophie teaming up with classmate Parker Tyler to get a bronze medal in the sprint relay at US Senior Nationals.