Gus Schatzlein

Quick Facts

• Specialty: Para Nordic Skiing (Biathlon and Cross-Country) — Guide for Max Nelson
• Competed on the Nordic skiing team at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota
• 2022 recipient of the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association's Collegiate High Achiever award
• Hobbies include skiing and Nordic outdoor pursuits

Biographical Information

August “Gus” Schatzlein serves as sighted guide for Max Nelson on the U.S. Para Nordic Ski Team, competing together in the visually impaired classification across cross-country skiing and biathlon events. Both Schatzlein and Nelson are from Minnesota, and their paths converged through a shared connection to the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. Schatzlein competed on the college's Nordic skiing team from 2018 to 2022, and Nelson later joined the program from 2022 to 2026. That institutional thread, combined with their Minnesota roots, formed the foundation of their guide-athlete partnership.

Growing up in Savage, Minnesota, and competing for Prior Lake High School, Schatzlein established himself as one of the state's top Nordic skiers. During his high school career, he earned All-State selection, three all-conference honors, and served as team captain for two years while also maintaining Academic All-State status. In his final high school race at the 2018 Minnesota State Championships, Schatzlein finished 12th overall in pursuit, helping Prior Lake finish 13th as a team. His combination of athletic and academic excellence positioned him well for collegiate skiing, and he chose to stay close to home, attending The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, one of the premier programs for Nordic skiing in the NCAA Central Region.

At St. Scholastica, Schatzlein thrived both on the ski trails and in the classroom. He majored in biology with aspirations to become a physical therapist, consistently earning USCSCA All-Academic honors and making the Dean's List multiple semesters. On snow, he developed into a reliable scorer for the Saints, competing in Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) events and NCAA Central Region Championships. As a junior in 2022, he received the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association's Collegiate High Achiever award, recognizing his success in balancing demanding academics with competitive skiing. He also competed for the school’s cross-country running team in the fall.

Nelson and Schatzlein’s partnership developed during the 2024-25 season. At the January 2025 Paralympic test event in Val di Fiemme, Italy, Schatzlein guided Nelson to a 12th-place finish in one biathlon event and a ninth-place showing in cross-country skiing.

In February 2026, Schatzlein was officially named to the U.S. Paralympic Team as Nelson's guide for the Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, building on Nelson's earlier Paralympic experience at the Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.