North Bay, ON – Nipissing Nordic Skiing is excited to announce that Brooke Ailey and Mia Smith have both been selected as 2026 Nordic Skiing OUA All-Stars.
 
Brooke Ailey, hailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario, is presently completing her fourth year at Nipissing in BPHE.
 
Competing in OUA Championships in Ottawa this past weekend, Brooke posted results of 7^th, 12^th, and 4^th across three races for the Lakers.
 
"It has been inspiring to see Brooke battle back from injuries this season, after a very tough fall schedule" said Nipissing Lakers Nordic Ski Head Coach Toivo Koivukoski when asked to comment on Ailey's All-Star selection.
 
"Her raw determination to return to full health, both for her own sake and so that she can perform according to her potential, has clearly translated into race results and OUA All-Star status. It has also lifted her teammates as they confront their own challenges and know that they can face them, too."
 
Mia Smith, a native of Parry Sound, Ontario, is a second year Nursing student at Nipissing.
 
At OUA Championships in Ottawa, Smith posted three 4^th places finishes across her races for the Lakers.
 
"This skier has really put in the work in her training this season and it shows in her fitness and race performance. Mia shows up for every training session with a practice-positive attitude, ready to push her limits. Her skiing is energetic, snappy and tidy in its technical execution" Head Coach Koivukoski said about Smith.
 
"So long as she continues to enjoy her training and racing as much as she does now, her top end speed and endurance will continue to improve. She is very motivated by her on-going desire for personal improvement and team results."
 
Ailey, Smith, and the rest of Nipissing Nordic Skiing will begin their preparations for the Canadian National Ski Championships, happening March 9-14 in Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC.
 
 
#GoLakers