FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks Nordic skiing team has announced the addition of Kieran Kaufman ahead of the 2026-27 season. Kaufman is a Fairbanks native and joins the Nanooks from West Valley High School.

"We are thrilled that Kieran has chosen to commit to UAF!" said interim head coach Ben Buck. "He will be the latest in a long line of talented Fairbanks skiers to ski for the Blue and Gold. Having watched his development with FXC over the past several years, I think he will make a great addition to the squad and I'm looking forward to working with him as a student-athlete here at UAF!"

During his time skiing at West Valley, Kaufman earned Team MVP honors three times for the boys varsity Nordic team. He also skied for FXC, competing at five Junior Nationals Championships and three U.S. National Championships. He secured a pair of top-20 finishes at the Junior National Championships in 2025, placing 16th in the freestyle sprints and 18th in the 10k freestyle. This past season, he notched an 11th-place result in the 7.5k freestyle at Junior Nationals and placed 21st in the 15k classic later in the championships. Kaufman also placed ninth in the 7.5k classic during the 2025 Besh Cup 3 & 4, before picking up a fifth-place finish in the 5k freestyle and a 10th-place finish in the 7.5k classic at the 2025 Besh Cup 5 & 6.

Kaufman also ran cross-country at West Valley High School for all four years, representing them at the ASAA State Championships each year.

Kaufman is Alaska Nordic skiing's first announced addition for the 2026-27 season. Further additions will follow throughout the coming months.

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