Kelly Kimball named Cardinals'
new men's/women's nordic ski coach

WINONA, Minn. — Kelly Kimball has been named Saint Mary’s University’s new head nordic ski coach, it was announced Thursday.

Kimball replaces Ben Popp, who left Saint Mary’s after one season to accept a position with the U.S. Olympic Development Program and coach four Olympic hopefuls from the Twin Cities and northern Wisconsin.

Kimball comes to Saint Mary’s after spending the past two seasons as a member of the Community Olympic Development Program staff, serving as wax coach at USSA Junior Olympic qualifying races, while also working a variety of camps that focused on all aspects of competitive nordic skiing.

An all-conference skier during her four years at Montana State University, Kimball was a member of the U.S. cross country ski team for five years, while also competing in three U.S. Olympic Trials and two World University Games.

Kimball inherits a pair of programs that placed third at the first-ever Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference meet last winter and return six of its top seven skiers.

“Having lived the life of a college athlete has helped me to understand the importance of balancing athletics and academics” said Kimball, who holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Montana State University, as well as an M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.