![](http://images.fasterskier.com/2012/02/IMGP2788.jpg" "Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess, Madison SuperTour classic sprint")
Note: This is the second preview in a quick-and-dirty series on U.S. elite teams. We asked coaches to send their 2012/2013 rosters and tell us what’s new for the coming season. We will be publishing additional reports over the next few weeks. Teams are presented in no particular order.
Team: Bend Endurance Academy (BEA)
Coach: Ben Husaby
Roster: Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess, Reitler Hodgert, Lars Ellefson
Who’s new: Hodgert, moving up from junior ranks
Who’s missing: Max Christman (going to the University of New Hampshire) and Bella Smith (headed to Montana State University).
Top results last season: Blackhorse von-Jess won silver in the skate sprint at U.S. nationals in Rumford, Maine. Also at U.S. nationals, Hodgert placed second in the junior classic sprint.
Coach’s comment: “Bend is an awesome place to live and train,” Husaby wrote in an email. “The entire summer training group has finally arrived and is starting to gel; 25 strong with a mix of local juniors, juniors from the region and college skiers from around the country. Between the skiing, climbing, riding, and paddling, everyone is living the dream and looking forward to a solid summer of training and adventures.
“As BEA grows so do our resources and ability to support high level racing. Last year was the first year in which we traveled to many of the SuperTour events with Dakota [being the top American classic sprinter] in Madison and Bella Smith being very competitive in the early season Tours. We are going to support our athletes at a higher level this season. BEA will join forces with MOD as in past years working toward berths in the early season World Cups and success at US Nationals.”
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Other previews: XC Oregon
Alex Kochon
Alex Kochon (alexkochon@gmail.com) is a former FasterSkier editor and roving reporter who never really lost touch with the nordic scene. A freelance writer, editor, and outdoor-loving mom of two, she lives in northeastern New York and enjoys adventuring in the Adirondacks. She shares her passion for sports and recreation as the co-founder of "Ride On! Mountain Bike Trail Guide" and a sales and content contributor at Curated.com. When she's not skiing or chasing her kids around, Alex assists authors as a production and marketing coordinator for iPub Global Connection.
