Location: Duluth, Minnesota
Head coach: Chad Salmela (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Josh Tesch, Scott Kylander-Johnson, Sara Kylander-Johnson
Top male returners: Jr. Waylon Manske, Jr. Matt Nistler
Top female returners: Sr. Megan Holmes, Sr. Caroline Lund, Jr. Julia Curry
Top newcomers: Kasey Bacso, Mason Bacso (So.), Jake Morgan, Ryan Wright, Eleanor Magnuson, Lindsey Johnson, Sarah Johnson
Web site: www.csssaints.com
2007-08 standings: Central Region: 4th (Men), 7th (Women); NCAA: 22nd

2009-10 outlook: The fourth-year program enters the 2009-10 season after a strong campaign last season, and fourth-year head coach Chad Salmela is focused on improving this winter. The men’s team mixed it up with the top of the CCSA last year, finishing as high as 2nd in qualifying competition. NCAA qualifier Tyler Kjorstad, however, graduated this spring, leaving a gap at the top of the CSS men’s roster.
Coach Salmela, though, believes that his squad has made the improvements to stay competitive. Waylon Manske is the returning skier with the most success last season, and Salmela has high praise for the junior. “Waylon needs not external motivation,” Salmela said. “He knows where he needs to improve and he works diligently at it. I think on a good day, Waylon can mix it up with the top end of the CCSA and I think he will this season.” Salmela cited summer improvements in classic skiing as well as an unmatched desire to succeed as keys to whatever success Manske experiences this season.
The outlook for the rest of the Saints is also promising. The additions of first-year Kasey Bacso and his brother, sophomore transfer Mason Bacso. First-years Jake Morgan and Ryan Wright as well as junior Matt Nistler in the best shape of his career have Salmela thrilled about the Saints’ years to come. “They will be the basis of a strong future for our program,” Salmela said. “It’s very exciting.”
The women’s team does not reasonably have the expectations the Saints have on the men’s side, but still have a strong year in their sights. Returning from last year’s team is Julia Curry, a junior and former cross-country running standout who Salmela described as a hard worker. “She will continue to be at the top of our team,” he said, but Curry is not alone at the top. Eleanor Magnuson, a top regional junior, has transferred in and could be the strongest skier on the women’s squad. “I do think we will do better in the CCSA rankings on the women’s side,” Salmela said. “Overall, our women’s depth is improved with Lindsey Johnson and Sarah Johnson as freshmen, and we still have Megan Holmes and Caroline Lund who should fill out the main part of our varsity team.
Salmela joined the rest of the league’s coaches in lamenting the loss of NCAA qualifying spots, but has been encouraged by early season results at U.S. Nationals and regionally. What remains to be seen is how his Saints will fare, and which members from his team can contend for a spot in Steamboat Springs this March.

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