Derek Deuling

Sport: Cross Country Skiing

Year Received: 2019

Bio: Derek has been a leader on the ski team during the last 4 years as a blue squad skier.  He is an inspiration and mentor for young skiers.  He has a positive attitude and is able to rise above negativity and distractions.  As a 17 year-old, he traveled to and from Switzerland for the Youth Olympic Games in January 2020 which is a testament of his confidence and maturity.  

Derek had his best Nationals in 2019 compared to his previous attempts at Nationals in 2016, 2017, 2018. Derek ranked 2nd nationally in his age group at the 2019 Nationals. In the 2019 Selection races for the 2020 Youth Olympic Games, Derek placed 2nd overall.  He was 2nd Canadian U18 male in the Interval classic race and 4th Canadian U18 male in the 1.3 km free individual sprint.

Derek was one of four Canadian cross country skiers to attend the Youth Olympic Games in January 2020 in Switzerland.  He was scheduled to return to the Canadian Nationals in March 2020 but this event was cancelled.  He has accepted a ski scholarship at University of Alaska in Anchorage in 2020 where he will be pursuing skiing and studies in the sciences.