As early meets are cancelled, Nordic Ski team trains hard

Juniors+Dina+Moradian+and+Val+Hart+hold+hands+for+support+while+squatting+during+a+dryland+practice.%E2%80%9CThe+team+dynamic+of+the+Nordic+team+is+very+inclusive+and+supportive.+People+are+always+cheering+each+other+on+at+meets+and+encouraging+each+other+at+practices%2C%E2%80%9D+captain+Nora+Kempainen+said.+

Abby Hedberg

Juniors Dina Moradian and Val Hart hold hands for support while squatting during a dryland practice.“The team dynamic of the Nordic team is very inclusive and supportive. People are always cheering each other on at meets and encouraging each other at practices,” captain Nora Kempainen said.

The Nordic Ski team has provided students with an opportunity to meet new people, as well as be a part of a close knit team and welcoming community.

“[I’ve been a part of the Nordic Ski team] since seventh grade. It’s really fun. We always do things as a team. I think it’s been especially fun for me to ski with friends and get to know other people. We always work together,” Tina Wilkens said.

“The team dynamic of the Nordic team is very inclusive and supportive. People are always cheering each other on at meets and encouraging each other at practices,” captain Nora Kempainen said.

“There is a lot of team spirit,” 9th grader Sam Hanson said.

Each year, the Nordic Ski team embarks on a four day ski trip over Winter Break.

“It involves hard workouts twice a day, cramming everyone into a total of less than 10 beds, and a ton of food. The workouts are really intense but they do a good job of getting us into shape, plus it’s so worth it because it’s such a fun few days. It’s something the team looks forward to every year,” Kempainen said.

Head Coach David Miller leads the team after longtime coach, US Math teacher Mickey Scott, stepped down from coaching. The team shares a optimistic mindset, as well as a collective hope that the change will pay off.

There is a lot of team spirit.

— 9th grader Sam Hanson

“I’m hoping that we can really use this year to get to know him and hopefully we can make it to state!” Wilkens said.

“The new coach is great. He has been pushing us a lot harder than we’re used to for Nordic, and it was a bit of a shock to the system at first, but I know it’ll be great in the long run,” captain Neeti Kulkarni said.

“The new coach is very different from our old coach and has a different way of running practices/the team in general, but I’m really excited about it. He has a lot of energy and you can tell by talking to him that he’s very passionate about the sport and really cares about his athletes,” captain Nora Kempainen said. “The season has started off much more strenuously than last year and we’ve had to work harder right from the beginning, but I think our team really needs it and it’ll pay off.”

With their first two meets cancelled because of lack of snow, the team’s first meet will take place Jan. 3 @ 3:45 p.m. at Elk Creek Park.