At times in recent years, Ely’s Nordic Wolves have been essentially held up in the starting blocks as they’ve waited for Mother Nature to cooperate. But that’s clearly not the case this winter, with the season-opener slated to take place on time this week and with an early snow allowing for the high school boys and girls teams to complete numerous practices.
Combine the snow with deep, talented groups, particularly at the varsity boys level, and anticipation is building for Thursday’s opening meet at Duluth. “Our athletes are really excited to be on snow this year,” said Ely Head Coach Todd Hohenstein. “It makes the preseason and early-season training so much easier when you can be on snow, even if it is on rock skis early on. It makes a big difference mentally in preparing for the season.”
The skiing program is one of Ely’s best, with nearly 50 participants overall and a long history of excellence at the section and even the single-class state level.
That continued in 2024-25, when the boys were second overall at the state meet.
Ely could make a run in both the section and state again, with the return of four key performers from last winter’s team.
Forming that nucleus are senior Otto Devine, juniors Aksel Skustad and Oliver Hohenstein and sophomore Wyatt Devine.
“Those four have put in a lot of time and effort into training over the summer,” said Todd Hohenstein. “All four of them had good quality running seasons in the fall, and they’re all very much excited to jump into this season. I think they understand we lost some very talented skiers with the seniors graduating, but the guys that are here now do feel that maybe they’re a little undervalued and they’re excited to prove their worth in Section 7.”
Last season, Oliver Hohenstein was part of a sprint relay that took second at the state meet while Skustad joined him in winning all-state honors by taking 19th individually in the state meet.
Wyatt Devine placed 39th in the state last season while Otto wound up 48th.
Others who could make the jump and contribute at the varsity level this season include juniors Brooks Brenny and George Sponholz and sophomore Blake Houde.
The Ely boys could be in a two-way battle with perennial power Duluth East for section supremacy.
“I think it’s going to be a great competition throughout the year with Duluth East,” said Todd Hohenstein. “They have a senior team. Most of their skiers who will be scoring are seniors. That’s always interesting and you never know how the season will unfold with injuries and illness.”
The Ely girls are looking to jump in Section 7 after placing fifth in 2024-25. Anchoring the group are seniors Aila Harding, Alison Popper and Elsa Ellerbroek, who was 23rd in the section last season.
“We’re going to lean on them heavily for leadership and to really maintain the quality and culture that we have here,” said Todd Hohenstein.
Junior Mattie Lindsay will “probably be one of our skiers we’re going to look for as placing high in the section,” Hohenstein added.
Junior June Nelson placed 22nd in the section in her sophomore campaign, while fellow juniors Molly Brophy and Isabelle Macho will be in the varsity mix as well.
A talented freshman group could also figure into the varsity equation as the season moves forward.
Overall, Ely has 34 skiers in grades 9-12 and 48 once seventh and eighth graders are added to the mix.
They’ll go to Duluth’s Grand Avenue Nordic Center for Thursday’s opener, which is one of three meets prior to the Christmas holiday.
The regular season also includes the annual Ely Invitational, slated for Jan. 24 at Hidden Valley.
Ely Nordic Wolves
2025-26 Schedule
Dec. 11: at Proctor Invite
Dec. 16: at Grand Rapids Invite
Dec. 20: at Cook County Invite
Jan. 6: at Cloquet, 4 pm.
Jan. 10: at Mesabi East Invite, 10 a.m.
Jan. 13: at Mesabi East Triangular,
2 p.m.
Jan. 16: at Dul. Marshall Sprints,
10 a.m.
Jan. 20: at Two Harbors Invite
Jan. 24: Ely Invite, 9:30 a.m.
Jan. 29: at Duluth East Invite
Feb. 4: at Section 7 Meet, 10 a.m.
Feb. 11: State Meet, at Giants Ridge, 10 a.m.
Feb. 12: State Meet, at Giants Ridge, 10 a.m.
Meets at 11 a.m. unless noted
Home meets in bold
