Matthew Torniainen is entering his second year as the coach of Castleton's Nordic skiing program.
In his first season, Torniainen guided the men's team to a fifth-place finish in the Team Sprint event at USCSA Nationals in Lake Placid, N.Y. The women's team was impressive all year long, culminating in Annika Saunus becoming the first Castleton skier to win the USCSA Nationals' Classic Sprint. The teams combined to take first place in the Mixed Relay at the Spike Clayton Memorial Invitational.
Torniainen spent four years as the Varsity Coach at Johnstown high school before founding the Adirondack Vauhti club, an NYSSRA Nordic Ski Racing club. During his time with both organizations, Torniainen helped train and coach athletes to NYSPHSAA State Championships, Eastern High School Championships and US Junior Nationals.
The N.Y. native began his skiing career in high school where he was a two-time junior national competitor representing the Mid-Atlantic region. He continued to race in college at Clarkson University before transferring to the University at Buffalo where he earned his degree in mechanical engineering.
