We are excited to announce that Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) student Min-Jae Kuo has been selected to the prestigious US National Team - Junior Squad!
The National Team represents the United States at international orienteering events around the world. Competitions include World Cup races, World Orienteering Championships (WOC) and the Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC). This year, World Cup races are being held in Sweden, Belgium and Switzerland, WOC is in Finland and JWOC in Italy.
Each year, athletes apply for inclusion on the National Team, with selections based on specific performance criteria, for example; having a high enough Orienteering USA (OUSA) or International Orienteering Federation (IOF) ranking, logging your training and showing dedication to the sport. Min-Jae’s selection marks the second time in recent years that a local Cambridge, MA resident and CRLS student has earned a spot on the junior team. In 2019, then CRLS student Keegan Harkavy was selected to the US National Junior Squad and has continued his success, stepping up to the Elite Squad when he aged out of competing as a junior. Additionally, congratulations are in order for Navigation Games staff member Evalin Brautigam for being re-selected to the Elite Squad for another year!
You can find the full announcement at this link: https://orienteeringusa.org/2025/02/announcing-the-2025-us-national-orienteering-team/
In the summer of 2024, Min-Jae worked for Navigation Games through the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP). During his time with us, he taught younger kids at summer camps and local parks the basics of orienteering with enthusiasm, patience and confidence. He also spent much of his time working on mapping projects, advancing his skills to the point that he is now employed as a cartographer for the national Youth Mapping Program through OUSA. Min-Jae has been thoughtful in his approach to becoming a top-tier orienteer, and we feel fortunate to be a part of that journey.
We spoke to Min-Jae about making the US National Team - Junior Squad and how his orienteering has developed. Keep reading to find out more about him!
When did you start orienteering and how did you get into it?
"The first time I ever went orienteering was with my parents at a NEOC (New England Orienteering Club) event. I was in fourth grade, and I don't really remember it. My first real experience was when I joined the Cambridge Rindge and Latin orienteering team as a freshman in high school. I vividly remember my first course. It was a Yellow course (the second easiest level) at the Rocky Woods, and I felt very smart for taking a "shortcut." I went off trail at a bend in the path to try and save some time, though it probably wasn't any faster than going around on the path since I was slipping and sliding down a hillside."
What do you enjoy about orienteering?
"Orienteering combines two things I love: running and being outdoors. I remember at my first National Ranking Event in the beautiful forests of Bigelow Hollow, I purposely went through a picturesque marsh because of how springy and fluffy the moss was. I was not as competitive then as I am now, but that is one reason I like orienteering. You can be as chill or competitive as you want to be. I also like the sense of accomplishment orienteering brings. I am still sometimes surprised that I manage to find my way out of the woods after running at full speed and being attacked by hostile, thorny vegetation."
Where in the world would you like to go orienteering? Why?
"That's a tough question. My dream race would probably be 10-mila in Sweden, which is a 10-man relay race that covers over 100 km. Part of the race is during the night, so the orienteering is super difficult, but it sounds really fun. The Scandinavian countries have really big orienteering communities, so I want to compete there if I have a chance. But I also want to experience more orienteering in the US, especially on the West Coast. It's too hard to decide! I want to experience a little bit of everything."
You are captain of the CRLS team- what do you enjoy the most about it?
"Being a captain motivates me to be better. I strive to be a good role model, and part of that is leading by example. That's why I started training more seriously last fall after becoming a captain, and it's also why I decided to apply to the national team. I can't afford to slack off! Orienteering is an individual sport, but I like the camaraderie and insights that come from being on a team."
What are you looking forward to with being on the national team?
"I am excited for the new level of competition and meeting more people from across the country. Since most of the national team is spread across the country, I am especially looking forward to meeting people and competing against them at Junior Nationals in Texas. That's less than two months away! I am also hyped about having the chance to compete at Junior Worlds, though I will have to see if I even make the cut."
What is your goal for the year?
"One of my goals is to shave a minute off my 5K time. Also, I want to run 1000 miles this year. More specific to orienteering, I hope my school team will place first at Junior Nationals. We've been training more than in past years, so I hope it pays off!"
This achievement marks an incredible milestone for Min-Jae, a testament to his dedication, hard work, and consistent skill-building over the years. With the support of his team and coaches, he's reached the US National Team - Junior Squad, proving that perseverance and teamwork are the keys to success. Competing at the national level not only opens the door to incredible opportunities, but also offers the chance to explore the world through competition, bringing with it the potential for personal growth, adventure, and new challenges. This is just the beginning, and his story serves as an inspiration for others to pursue their passions with the same commitment and determination, knowing that with the right mindset, anything is possible.
Way to go, Min-Jae!
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