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Lakers nordic skier named to Team Canada for the 2021 FISU Games

'It is a great honour to represent Canada at the World Student Games'
20200707 Lakers Maycock nordic ski
Photo courtesy Nipissing University Athletics.

Nipissing Lakers Nordic ski team Veteran skier Alex Maycock, who was named Nipissing male athlete of the year this past season, has earned a spot on Team Canada for the 2021 FISU World University Games in Lucerne, Switzerland.

The Games are scheduled to run January 21-31, 2021.

Maycock is, of course, thrilled with the opportunity to represent his country, school and his team on the international stage.

"It is a great honour to represent Canada at the World Student Games this January in Switzerland. In 2019, I achieved a lifelong goal by skiing for Canada at the World Student Games in Russia. I learned a lot and I saw the speed of the top guys there," Maycock said in a release.

"I had a top 20 result in the skate sprint in 2019 and I believe that I can improve on that this time around."

Maycock has had an impressive career with the Lakers, having earned a lot of OUA hardware throughout his time at Nipissing.

The Orangeville, ON native was the top skier on the men's side throughout the 2019-20 season, which was highlighted by his strong OUA Championship effort, claiming a total of four medals.

The junior, enrolled in the BPHE program, wrapped up his third season in style, winning bronze medals on Day 1 and 2, silver in the team relay on Day 3 and helped the Lakers men's team secure third overall, for another bronze on the championship weekend in Sault Ste. Marie.

To open the season, Maycock began the year with a 4th place finish (1st OUA) in Gatineau, QC at a season opener NorAm.

Mayock claimed a gold medal in January in North Bay, gliding to a championship at the Ontario Cup race hosted in the Gateway City.

And in the final race of the season before the OUA Championships, Mayock cracked the top-10 in Mont Ste. Anne, QC, at the Canada's World Junior/U23 Trials.

Lakers head coach Toivo Koivukoski is thrilled for Maycock, an athlete he has seen grow over the years.

"We're super proud to see Alex selected to wear the maple leaf for a second time at the FISU Games after his first shot at international competition in 2019 in Russia. Alex has matured as a student-athlete and is bearing down all of his energies on a very ambitious training plan over the summer to be prepared for these races," Koivukoski explained.

Maycock is joined by an impressive roster from across Canada, making up the contingent that will head to Switzerland in the new year.

For Maycock, earning a spot on the team was step one, now it's about taking home a medal at the event and taking that next step in his career success.

"Three years ago, my coaches and I set a goal to earn a medal at the 2021 Games. In 2019, it was an opportunity to develop skills and this time around I want to compete for the top spots," Maycock said.

"Canada is sending the strongest team in years; athletes who have raced at World Juniors and World Cups. I believe we'll have very competitive relay and team sprint teams."