U.S. BIATHLON TO HIRE JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM COACH

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by Tom Kelly

New position to be based with team at Crosscut Mountain Sports Center

 

U.S. Biathlon is taking yet another step in looking to the future, hiring a full-time junior national team coach to lead the next generation of biathletes. The position will be based at the Crosscut Mountain Sports Center in Bozeman, Mont. starting spring, 2022.

 

The new role is designed to support a professional training and competition environment for U.S. Biathlon’s Junior National Team. The team was restarted in 2018 as a part of the organization’s long-term vision, focusing more attention on development. The program, presently under the leadership of Director of Athlete Development Tim Burke, who also serves as coach, has provided junior athletes with significantly more support including national training camps.

 

“By dedicating resources to the Junior National Team, we’ve been able to bring along some of our young athletes who would have more or less been on their own without that program,” said Burke. “This additional coaching support will help ensure the continued growth and success of this program and our developing athletes.”

 

According to Burke, U.S. Biathlon has chosen Crosscut as the base for the new junior national team coach to take advantage of the dramatic growth of the facility as a world-class biathlon venue with 45k of trails and a roller ski loop. Many of U.S. Biathlon’s top developing athletes have chosen to live in Bozeman because of the venue at Crosscut, the ability to attend Montana State University and the training opportunities there.

 

“With many of our athletes already basing out of Crosscut, it made sense to put our coach in place there to supplement the existing program and to give those athletes a year-round leader who will be with them for training and competition.” said Burke.

 

Crosscut is situated just 17 miles north of Bozeman, with 500 acres adjacent to Bridger Bowl and the Custer Gallatin National Forest. It features 45k of trails, a roller ski loop and a biathlon range. A staged expansion is under way with phase one including a new 30-point biathlon range.

 

“Crosscut is already offering world-class experiences to elite athletes and our local community members alike,” said Executive Director Jen Beaston. “Our investment in a new biathlon stadium as part of our expansion is proof of that commitment. We’re honored to welcome U.S. Biathlon’s Junior National Team, with athletes from around the country, to train here in Montana.” 

 

U.S. Biathlon has just released the job description and begun recruitment. It is seeking a coach with at least two to three years of experience coaching cross country and biathlon. The position will be based in Bozeman, but will also lead training camps and competition trips around the country and the world.

 

Interested candidates can find more info here or contact Burke directly at tburke@usbiathlon.org.

 

 

(Feature Photo: Junior National Team Member and Team Crosscut athlete, Vincent Bonacci competes at Youth/Junior World Championships 2021 photo credit Stef Woods)

 

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