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Recently the CCHS Nordic skiers and the coaching staff took time out for a group picture. First row, L – R: Ethan Fish, Lute Jansen, Emma Crook, Leah Belmore, and Coach Angie Robinson. Second row, L – R: Quincy Hurth, Everett Hurth, Martine Redshaw, Amelia Mattson, Olya Wright, Valerie Hurth, Cece Chmelik, Naomi Tracy-Hegg. Third row, L-R: Coaches: Dave Bartol, Jeanne Wright, Kurt Farchmin, and Mike Crook. Missing team members: Dune Bagdons, MJ Wharton, Eero Moody, and Augie Kintopp. Photo courtesy of Assistant Coach Becky Bartol
Recent snowfall has the Nordic ski team excited as they are now able to dawn their skis in preparation for the upcoming ski season.
The combined Cook County/Two Harbors North Shore Storm Nordic Ski Team has 41 skiers, 16 from Cook County and 25 from Two Harbors.
“Many of the kids already know each other either from past skiing years or because they were on the Cross Country running collaborative team together,” said Head Coach Jeanne Wright.
Assisting Wright is Angie Robinson, Mike Crook, Kurt Farchmin, Becky Bartol, and Dave Bartol.
Workouts started November 14, said Wright. “For the first couple weeks, since there was no snow, it allowed us to focus on building capacity (endurance) – which includes two days of interval training each followed by a recovery day, while also learning to understand pacing and skiing in different zones of effort. We also have specific skills/drills that focus on what we call: BASC: Balance, Agility Stability which gives you Control. There are lots of drills and fun games that encourage strength and conditioning for BASC.”
But not all of the workouts are hard, some are aimed at fun and team building. “On Fridays, we have been celebrating Moro Fredag (Fun Friday). This usually includes games like capture the flag, ultimate frisbee, and dinner around the solo fires up at Pincushion. Two Harbors has been able to make it up for one of the Moro Fredag workouts/ celebrations.
Cook County has a lot of youth, but noted Wright, “It is a young team which is very exciting. But we also have strong leadership from our two Captains: Senior – CeCe Chmelik and sophomore – Olya Wright. Otherwise, we have one junior, two sophomores, one freshman, four eighth-graders, and seven seventh graders. Great potential!”
Weather allowing, there will be nine meets and then sections and state. The Cook County Invite will be held at Pincushion on January 21. The husband and-wife team of Dave and Becky Bartol will be the race directors.
“It’s been great fun so far with this enthusiastic and supportive team – it can only get better now that we have snow!” said Wright.
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