Athlete of the Week Murphy Kimball: From World Cup history to Alaska state champion in span of just 2 weeks [Video]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – West Anchorage senior Murphy Kimball wasn’t able to ski with his teammates for much of this season.

He was busy making history.

While his teammates were busy winning the Region IV Cross Country Relay Championships on Feb. 10, Kimball was skiing internationally.

“Shout out Murphy Kimball, he just raced the World Cup!” Eagles senior Cole Flowers said.

That day, Kimball toed the starting line of a World Cup freestyle sprint race in Canmore, Alberta.

The Alaskan made history the moment he crossed the finish line, as he is believed to be the youngest American male to compete in a World Cup race at just 17 years, 6 months and 25 days, according to his coaches.

“Seeing people you see on TV for the first time [in person], like, ‘Oh, they’re real,” Kimball said of competing in the World Cup.

Competing against the best sprint skiers in the world, including Olympic medalists, …