It was a day of mixed emotions for Cross Country Yukon.

While they received some very exciting news with regard to one local skiing sensation, there was also some disappointing news for another.

First, Cross Country Canada named Yukon Ski Team member David Greer to the national junior team. Greer, who won the Yukon's sole gold medal in the 2007 Canada Winter Games on home soil, then went on to collect four medals plus the overall aggregate title for his age group at the national championships.

The 17-year-old athlete was thrilled with the opportunity.

'I hadn't really been expecting this and when I got the call from Cross Country Canada I was really excited,' stated Greer. 'I guess my strong performance at the nationals clinched it for me.'

'It's quite an honour for a Yukoner to be selected to a junior national team,' noted Cross Country Yukon head coach Alain Masson.

'This is one more bit of recognition for a dedicated and hard working athlete. David has shown continual improvement over the past few years and he'll do well with the national squad.'

Greer will be moving to the Quebec City training centre in July, where he'll have the opportunity to train full time under the direction of national team coaches.

But it wasn't just good news for the Yukon team.

Graham Nishikawa, who had a tough year on the continental racing circuit as he battled illness, was dropped from the senior national team.

The team has been handed major budget cuts and a number of athletes, including Nishikawa, were dropped from the roster.

In 2006, Nishikawa clinched the Canada Cup title on home soil at the Northwestel Western Canadian Cross Country Ski Championships. He also grabbed a silver medal at the 2007 national championships in the open men's classic race.

Nishikawa was extremely disappointed by the decision, but showed his tenacity by announcing that he had accepted a lesser spot with the Quebec City development centre and will focus on getting himself back on the team next season.