FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks Department of Athletics has announced the promotion of Ben Buck to interim head coach of the Nanooks Nordic skiing team. Buck, who steps into the head coaching role following the departure of Eliska Albrigtsen, has spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach for the Alaska Nordic skiing program.
"We are excited to announce Ben Buck as the Interim Head Coach of our Men's and Women's Nordic Ski teams," said Alaska Nanooks Director of Athletics Brock Anundson. "As a dedicated assistant coach, Ben has brought valuable hands-on experience, steady leadership, and a solid understanding of the program's culture and values. His strong connection with our student-athletes and commitment to their growth make him the ideal person to lead Nanook Skiing into its next chapter, both on the trails and beyond."
Over his three seasons with the Nanooks, Buck has helped them record 15 All-American finishes at the NCAA Championships, including seven in his first season in 2022-23. In his first year with the Nanooks coaching staff, the Blue & Gold recorded their best-ever finish at the NCAA Ski Championships, placing seventh as a team. He oversaw Joe Davies' individual national championship at the 2023 NCAA Championships, where the sophomore skier took Gold in the men's 10k freestyle. As a team, the Nanooks were the third-best Nordic team that season, earning 268 points. The men were the highest-scoring men's Nordic team, while the women were the third-highest.
In 2023-24, Buck helped the Nanooks to three more All-American results, with Rosie Fordham, Kendall Kramer and Mariel Pulles all nabbing Second Team finishes. In addition to their success at the NCAA level, four Nanooks represented their home nations on the World Cup: Mariel Pulles and Christopher Kalev skied for Estonia, Kendall Kramer represented the United States and Rosie Fordham competed for Team Australia. This past season, Buck helped the Nanooks grab five more All-Americans from three skiers: Philipp Moosmayer and Kramer earned two All-American honors, while Ben Dohlby added another. Kramer also secured the second NCAA individual national championship in Buck's tenure, placing first in the 20k freestyle. Internationally, Fordham recorded Australia's first-ever medal in an international cross-country skiing event, placing second in the 10k freestyle at the U23 World Championships in Schilpario, Italy.
Buck has also served as a coach and wax tech for multiple international teams during his tenure. He was the head wax tech for Team Estonia at the 2023 World University Games in Lake Placid, NY, where Mariel Pulles took home four individual medals, including Gold in the 15k freestyle and the freestyle sprint. At the 2024 Minneapolis World Cup, he represented the US Ski Team as a personal coach and wax tech for Kendall Kramer, while providing additional support for Rosie Fordham and the Australian National Team.
"Over the past several seasons with the Nanooks, we have built a strong foundation for the future through dedication to the development of talented young student-athletes," said Buck. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to carry this momentum forward and solidify UAF as a top-tier collegiate ski program, and a place for athletes to take their next steps toward representing their home nations on the international stage."
Buck came to Fairbanks after a stint on the Clarkson University skiing coaching staff in 2021-22. He attended and skied for the Golden Knights from 2017-20.
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