Thank You

First, Thank you to everyone that has made this season a really fun and positive experience!  The growth throughout this season and the potential moving forward are something we haven't experienced in a number of years, and it is exciting as a coaching staff to see what is ahead.

The four of us as coaches are making plans for the summer to give those that are looking for opportunities to improve.  There are some things that we will need to finalize, but we know that our Tuesday and Thursday practices will still be a part of our plans, but we will also be adding a few dates of long and challenging double pole workouts and a couple of pole hikes on a few Saturdays. 

 With that, after 21 years of being the head coach, I have decided to step back from my position as the head coach and hand the team over to Coaches Abby and Jerlie.  It was not an easy decision for me, but one I needed to do.  As mentioned, all four of us are going to be together still, but family comes first with me in my programs, and I am needing to take a step back from all the work I do so I can focus on my family and the growth of our daughter, and possibly future children.  I will still be at practices and meets and I will still do everything I can to help the skiers and their improvements!

Thank you to all of those that have come through our program since I started and to all of those that have helped this program be a strong one than when I started.  Thank you very much, and I will forever be a Cardinal!

Denny

Unifrom Turn In

On Monday, Feb 28, we are going to ask the skiers to turn in their uniforms and race bibs after school.  The skiers will also need to clean out their lockers and turn in their locks as well.  With the Girls, if they are intending to be in Track and Field this year, then they do not have to turn in their locks.

Also, we are going to get together after we turn in uniforms, bibs, and lockers, and discuss a few items as a team, mainly what we felt we did well, what we need to work on, and how things may look for summer practices this year.  I would expect for us to be done around 3:45.

Thanks,
Denny

Let It Snow Proposal

Below is a link to Coach Nelson's "Let It Snow" proposal.  This is something that we have been working on for a few years to get man-made snow in Coon Rapids.  It is currently in the process of going through City Counsel, so all of your support would be greatly appreciated.

LET IT SNOW

Thanks,
Denny

Senior Spotlights

As a way to honor our seniors this year, we're going to post a Senior Spotlight each day as countdown to the banquet!

We are posting these on the right side of the blog under Team Information.

Thanks

Denny

Banquet Sign Up Reminder

Please remember that we need to have everyone signed up for the Banquet this year.  Please go to the post below on the banquet to sign up and please do so by Feb 23rd.
Thanks

Denny

State

Despite the cold weather and a delay in the days events, Aaron and Lilah end the season for the Cardinals on a big positive and moving up from where they started the day.   Aaron was able to have one of his strongest classic races followed up with a day of moving up from 41st to 32nd out of 112 skiers with the 22nd fastest skate on the day for the Boys.  Aaron moved up from an 83rd overall placing last year to being just 20 seconds out of an All State position!!  Lilah started State with a solid 50th place finish in the Classic race, maybe not quite what she would have liked, but she was able to finish off her high school ski career with her best skate race ever, moving from that 50th place up to 43rd out of 111 skiers with the 34th fastest skate race on the day among the Girls, moving up from 75th overall place last year!

It was a great way to warm up the day to have the hard work that both skiers have put in throughout the year come through in their last races!  They both fought to the end and moved up and there is not much more that we as coaches could ask for from either of these two!  It will be fun to see what Aaron will be able to do next year, but it will be a big loss to have Lilah moving on as she graduates.  It is the time to start thinking about what we were able to accomplish this year and start to figure out where we all want to be in one year.  

Thanks for a great end of the season!!
Denny

State Meet

Due to the weather on Thursday, there has already been a change in the time schedule to ensure that temperatures are safe for the racers.  The first races will start at 12:00 now, thus the start time for Aaron's race on Thursday will be 3:40 and Lilah's race will be at 4:10.

Also, here is information on live results and live streaming.  Please note that there is a fee for the streaming.  Any questions, please let me know, Thanks, Denny

Attached please find the link to Superior Timings live site.  It includes both start lists and live results.     The second link is to prepspotlight.tv where fans can stream portions of the event for a fee.

                                https://my.raceresult.com/192336/     

                               https://www.prepspotlight.tv/MSHSL

These links are also on the Nordic Ski pages on the MSHSL website.

 

End of Season Banquet

Sign up for the banquet here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D48AEAA2DA31-2022

 2022 CRHS Nordic Ski Banquet Information

The 2022 Coon Rapids High School Nordic Ski Banquet will be held on Thursday, March 3rd at 5:45pm at Tavern at Green Haven (2800 Greenhaven Road, Anoka MN 55303).  The format will be different than in recent years, since we are not allowed to have potlucks, rather we'll be served our dinner at this banquet! 

Our menu will be Hand Layered Rustic Meat Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Parmesan Garlic Breadsticks, water and lemonade.  The boosters will provide cake and another nut-free dessert.

By Wednesday February 23rd, you will need to

1.) Sign up your skier (as the "child) and all family members who will be attending the banquet – Sign up is posted on either Facebook or the blog.

2.) Pay $15 for each guest.  The booster club will be paying the cost for your skier.  You may pay via cash, check written to CRNSBC or Venmo (CR Nordic @CRXCski please indicate the skier's name and # of paid guests).  

3.) Indicate any food preferences/sensitivities/allergies with the name of the person requiring the meal, since Tavern will accommodate this with a separately plated meal.

4.)  Come and enjoy the end of season festivities!

If you have issues with payment for this event, but would like to attend, please let any of the coaches know, and the boosters will fund your meal.

Depending on the snow and weather (this will be communicated separately prior to the event), Denny will be offering skiing at Greenhaven Golf Course for a specified timeframe.

We hope you can join the team to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of the CRHS Nordic Ski members during 2021-2022!

Last Week of the Season

It's hard to believe, but we are at the last week of the season!  There are still a few things to do, so here is the schedule for this week:

Monday - Pastry Relay's at Greenhaven Golf Course in Anoka, off of Hwy 10.  Bus will leave at 3:15 and the first group to go out will be around 4:00.  This is a fun event for our team with Anoka, Blaine and Champlin Park.  The skiers will be in teams of 2-4 members and will be in costume and have a fun little relay race.  We will then have donuts for them when it is all said and done.

Tuesday - Last day of practice, bus leaves at 3:15 for Bunker.  

Wednesday - State Meet.  Lilah and Aaron, plus those they have invited, and us as coaches will be leaving at 8:00am for Giants Ridge.  Aaron will be skiing Classic at 2:00 and Lilah at 3:00.  Once I find out if there is any live feeds I will send that info out, as well as where to find live results.

Thursday - State Meet.  Aaron will be in the Skate Pursuit starting at 2:00 and Lilah will start her Skate Pursuit at 3:00.

Couple of other items of note.  We have not decided on when to turn in equipment, mainly because there is still skiable snow as well as citizen races for the skiers to do, if they so chose.  We will let everyone know before the end of the week, however, when we will have equipment turn in.

Lastly, the end of season banquet will be on Thursday, March 3rd at Greenhaven Golf Course.  We are finalizing all of the details and will be getting that info out to everyone soon.

Thanks for a great season and we will do what we can to finish it off this week on a high note at the State Meet.  Best of luck to Aaron and Lilah!!
Denny

Lakeville Results

Overall and Individual results from this mornings Lakeville JV/Jr High Race are now posted on the right side of the blog.  With the Overall results you will need to toggle through which grade results you would like to go thorugh.

Cold temps and a bright sun turned the last timed race for most of the skiers into a fun day with many medals and many smiles.  It is always a fun way to end for our younger and newer skiers, giving them a chance to ski against other skiers that are in the same grade as them.  It's also fun because our skiers get to compete against teams that they don't see all season and most don't realize that we are competing against some of the big teams in the state that have sent many teams and individuals to the State Meet over the years, and they are fighting it out and often times beating them!  It shows the effort that this team has put in this year and how much they have improved.  We have a long ways to go to get to a point that everyone will feel satisfied, but sure will be fun to see them continue on their journeys and see where they want to end up!

Congrats to all of our JV/Jr High skiers that raced today.  We ended up having 11 skiers earn medals by finishing in the top ten in their grade, including Stella who won the Girls 8th grade and was the 2nd fastest overall Girl skier, and Lachlan who won the Boys 9th grade.  2nd place finishes went to Albi in the 9th grade Boys and Ruby in the 6/7th grade Girls!

Thanks to all of the parents and fans that braved the single digit temps and for all of those that have posted pictures!! It's a great way to remember the day, one that was bright and shows the bright future that many may have skiing!!

Denny

Lakeville JV/Jr High

Below is information for Saturday's Lakeville JV/Jr High Meet at Kenwood Trail Middle School.  Our bus will be leaving at 7:30.  Directions are below as well.

Lakeville JV/Jr High Invite (Kenwood Trail Middle School, 19455 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044): Highway 10 east to Hwy 610. Merge onto Hwy 252 and continue south to I 94.  Take I 94 south to I 35W South and proceed on I 35W to the merge for I 35.  Exit at CR 5/50 (Exit 85) and go east on CR 50 for about 2.5 miles, the school will be on your right.

Course and Parking Map: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d4Mu6MqNM_l_sMb5UgEUtoZZOEgp14DO/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111658290248301905448&rtpof=true&sd=true

Schedule: (in the event of cold weather – temps below -4 air, or -20 windchill - all races will be delayed)

Coaches meeting at 8:30 AM in the KTMS cafeteria

Race start times:

Grade Boys Girls

6/7th 9:30 9:40

8th 10:00 10:10

9th 10:30 10:40

10th 11:00 11:10

11th /12th 11:30 11:40

Distance: 4k (single loop)

Format: Mass Start Freestyle for each event. The start area allows for a row of approx. 12 skiers, double pole zone is approximately 20 meters.

Awards: The first 10 skiers in each race will receive a custom medal! 

Indoor Seating, Concessions and Bathrooms: will be available in the Kenwood Trail MS Cafeteria. Concessions are available using cash only.

Facilities: We have been given access to the Kenwood Trail Middle School Building use, please respect the posted building protocol. Masks must be worn inside except when eating.

Section Results

Congratulations to Lilah and Aaron for both taking 3rd place overall today at the Section 5 Meet and for qualifying for the State Meet for the second year in a row!!

Warm air, strong winds, and tough conditions led the Boy's to a 3rd place finish in the team competition and the Girl's in 6th place.  But what was the biggest thing we saw as coaches is the fight to the end and the fact that both teams moved up from their positions in the Skate races after the Classic races in the morning! It showed the work they have put in throughout the season and the heart that they have and how much they want to improve, not only as individuals but as a team as well!  

Thanks to all of the parents and family friends that came out to support the skiers and a big thank you to the JV skiers that came out to help and support their teammates as well! It definitely helped keep the energy positive, both on the course and at camp!

Thanks,

Denny

Section Start Lists

Here are links to the start lists for tomorrow's Classic Individual Start for the Section 5 Meet.  Also, both the Boys and Girls Sprint Relay teams will be in the 2nd heat.

Boys Start List

Girls Start List

Reminder that the bus leaves at 7:30 and that we would like for everyone to be at the school by 7:15,

Thanks

Denny

Section T-shirts and Live Streaming

Two things to be added to your information for tomorrow's Section Meet:

1. We are selling section tee-shirts this year for $20 on the day of the event. We accept credit cards or cash. 
2. We will be livestreaming the start/finish line if you have families that want to watch but cannot make the event. The link can be found here. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCg5WYUb8FyjXlEy-ZWJx7w/featured

 

Section Week

Below is information for the week, including lots of information on the Section 5 Meet on Wednesday at Theodore Wirth.  Please make sure you go through all of the information if you are intending to be at the races.
Thanks,
Denny

Monday - Classic or Skate at Bunker Dog Park
Tuesday - Skate at Bunker Campground
Wednesday - Section 5 Meet at Theo Wirth, Bus Leaves at 7:30, First race at 10:00 (schedule below)
Thursday - Team Voting, School Survey, classic ski in the pit
Friday - Skate at Bunker Campground
Saturday - Lakeville Jr High/JV, Bus Leaves at 7:30 (more details later in the week)

For the Section 5 Meet at Theo Wirth, here is the schedule, who will be skiing in which events as well as the basic information for the day.  One thing that will be important to note and remember is that teams will not be able to camp inside of the Trailhead or the Main Chalet and that buses will need to park off site, which means our tents are going to be where the kids will be.  They can go into the Trailhead, they just cannot camp inside.  To go with that, there will be no crock pots allowed inside of the building.

Another part that we touched on last week at the Conference Meet and that we want to reemphasize for the Section Meet is to make sure parents and spectators are giving the skiers the room that they need, both before and after their races, especially if they are in multiple races.  We want to make sure they are preparing the way they need but also to be able to decompress after they are done and get ready for their next race if they have another one.  We know pictures are a fun way to remember the day, but please give them their space.

Here are those that will be skiing in the Pursuit races: Boys - Aaron, Josh, Ryan, Peyton and Eli; Girls - Lilah, Stella, Ruby, Elizabeth, and Anna.
Those that will be in the 2 person Sprint Relay: Boys - Abli and Lachlan; Girls - Ava and Megan

Alternates will be cleared to go if they are able to and JV skiers are able to go along to help and support, however, a parent will need to call into school to have them excused for the day

The time schedule is as follows:

SECTION 5 Race schedule
Theodore Wirth Park
10:00          Boys 5km classic
10:30          Girls 5km classic
11:15          Boys Sprint Relay  Heat 1
11:40          Boys Sprint Relay   Heat 2
12:05          Girls Sprint Relay    Heat 1
12:30          Girls Sprint Relay    Heat 2
                   Break
1:15            Boys Sprint Relay Final
1:45            Girls Sprint Relay  Final
2:15            Boys 5km pursuit (skate)
3:00            Girls 5km pursuit (skate)
4:00+          Awards

Here is a link to some more information that is always helpful to know:

Meet Reminders

Trails used for the courses 

5K Classic and 5K Skate: Map (Please note that this map is missing the North Finger Loop, but it is a part of the course.

Stadium to Green Meadow-skip the inner loop-will be blocked--Twin Lakes back to Green Meadow, up Ridgeline—, North Finger—back up to LaSquadra-up to Ridgeline and back to the stadium.

Skate Sprint Relay: Map

Stadium to round about, up and down Ridgeline and back to the stadium

Information for ONLY the Classic races: Classic Technique zone—has been talked about for a number of years and will be implemented this year.

At Wirth I will use a section of the Ridgeline between the round  about and coaches corner.

The technique zone is for CLASSIC only and the skier must use diagonal stride or herringbone.  NO DOUBLE POLing allowed.

Failure for the skier to comply may result in a time penalty.  Please educate your section skiers.

I will use signs to mark the zone rather than symbols—which the state meet with use—standard FIS markings.

This is information from Theodore Wirth and the Loppet Foundation:

As we prepare, we would like to reiterate some expectations and guidelines for using The Trailhead and its surrounding spaces. We greatly appreciate your partnership in conveying these expectations to your team's coaches, athletes and parents in order to offer the best possible experience for everyone utilizing the park and facility during your race day.

Ski Meet Expectations for Theo Wirth/The Trailhead, February 7-10:

General Trailhead Use:

• MASKS ARE REQUIRED to be worn by all inside The Trailhead, per City of Minneapolis & Park Board mandates
• Skiers SHOULD NOT STORE BAGS OR EQUIPMENT inside The Trailhead. Athletes can come in to warm up and use bathrooms. All gear and equipment must go out with athletes and can be stored in team areas in the Lower Stadium.

Buses:

• Pre-Meet Dropoff - Buses may drop off teams in the one-way circle in front of The Trailhead (1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy)
• During the Meet - Buses must park off-site (away from The Trailhead and Wirth Chalet) until Post-Meet Pickup
• Post-Meet Pickup - Buses must pick up teams in the Wirth Chalet parking lot (1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy) at the end of the meet. 5 minute walk from Trailhead

Food: 

• CROCKPOTS/SMALL APPLIANCES MAY NOT be plugged in or served from inside The Trailhead
• Sack lunches and snacks can be stored in team areas in the Lower Stadium then eaten inside while racers warm up. This is the option we recommend to ensure your athletes are well fueled for their races.
• Food from outside restaurants must be delivered, stored and consumed outside
• Mill Valley, our concessionaire at The Trailhead, will be open during race days but will be limited in their capacity to feed all athletes and spectators during the short breaks during the day. 

Parking Lot Tent Use:

• Additional team space will be available in the Loppet tent in The Trailhead's North Parking Lot

Please reach out directly if you have any questions regarding the expectations outlined below. We look forward to hosting you and your team next week!!

JV Conference Results

Our Individual results are on the right side of the blog for today's JV Conference Meet at Elm Creek.  We are still waiting on the Overall results, and once I get those I will post them.

Another cold and windy afternoon for those racing, but our skiers put out a solid effort, with everyone working to the best of their abilities.  It is always fun to watch the JV skiers at this time of year, to see how much they have improved but also to see what they are wanting to get out of their current skiing abilities.  To see them race faster, smarter, or with better technique and to not be completely satisfied with their performance and wanting more is such a positive.  It's nice to know that everyone still has at least one more race and to see if those that raced today take the steps to improve in the next week and a half.  

Thanks to the parents and spectators that came out and endured the cold weather!!
Denny