Nordic Season Guidelines

Here is the link to the guidelines for this year: Nordic Guidelines

I will be going over these with our Activities Director as well as our Conference AD within the next few days to get even more details about all of this, especially when it comes to practices as well as transportation.

However, here are a few key points:

Season starts in Nov 30, first meet can be on Dec 3rd.

Regular season will last until Feb 13 and then there will be two weeks for the post season. But, there are no decisions yet on what the post season will be.

All meets are going to be duals or tris. For our Conference scheduled meets, they will all be tri’s since there are only 12 teams in the conference.

I haven’t seen anything official, but the guidelines mention no invites, which would mean no Mesabi Invite nor ABC Relays.  Also, we are to be limited to teams in our Conference/Section, so Winona would be out as well. We would be able to go up to Mora to race with them since they are in our Section. The Conference schedule is in its final stages of being completed, so once that is done and more is known as to what we can and cannot do I’ll finish the schedule.

There are 6 pages of info, some covers all activities, some are specific to Nordic. I am not going to go into detail yet on the rest of the guidelines because I want to get all of the details before I put that info out. So, you will possibly have questions, but I will probably answer them once I have more of the background info, at which time I will then answer any questions.  There is a lot that still needs to happen and figured out, so please have patience with me so we as coaches can get everything figured out, then we will let you know how things will happen.

Thanks

Denny

Thursday Update on Season

We just finished a meeting with the AD at Coon Rapids and this is what we know as of right now.  We are expecting the State High School League to release sport specific updates tomorrow, Friday, for all of the Winter activities.  The document that we will get could be as short as 4 pages, but could also be as long as 18ish pages, depending on the changes that we would need to make.  Once I do get a copy of this, I will put it out and make key points that will effect us in any way.  I am also currently helping with our Conference schedule, which should be completed this weekend once we get the new regulations.

After the school board meeting on Monday we as a district expected some state agency to say "No, you can not continue with activities."  They did not. 

As you may have read in articles, the data points the state is now looking at are not solely the county case #'s for mandated shut downs.  This is just one of the metrics they will now look at when determining if schools, activities, etc have to shut down. 

If you have any questions about any of this, please let me know,
Thanks
Denny

Ski Swaps

We are getting closer to the ski swaps as we approach the season.  What will be different this year is that the main ski swaps, MYSL and Pioneer Midwest, will both happen before our season starts now that we don't start until Nov. 30th.  Make sure that you read through all of the information for both in the links below so you know what will be happening and what they will be expecting of customers.

We will, however, still be volunteering our time at the MYSL Swap, so please follow the links below to sign up.  This is different than in the past, and you will need to fill out the form in order to be able to volunteer.  If you have any questions, please let me know.  

Below is the information for both of those:
The MYSL Ski Swap is on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Northern Star Council Base Camp at Fort Snelling, with the Swap being open from 9:00-2:00, with an outdoor expo starting at 10:00am.  More info can be found here: https://mysl.org/events/skiswap  For those that would like to volunteer, please fill out this form Volunteer Form  They are wanting to have the volunteers be in shorter shifts, so make sure you are aware of the times of the shifts.  If you are not able to volunteer yet still need some equipment, let us know and we will help out.  The other Ski Swap in the area with good deals and equipment is at Pioneer Midwest in Osseo on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22.  Please check out their website as well for the details: https://www.pioneermidwest.com/events/ski-swap-nov-21-22-2020/  

Thanks,
Denny

Season Update

 I don't have much of an update right now.  The school board did vote last night to have activities continue, however  " They further stated they would seek clarification from state leaders about how to apply local data to the decision. " 

This means that we are one step closer to having a ski season, but we are not in the clear yet.  We are expecting to have meetings with our AD's throughout this week to discuss what the MSHSL has decided.  There is still a chance that they will shut as down, as it does go against their previously stated policies that they have been following up until now in the school year with districts that have their County Covid case #'s above the "hybrid or in person" threshold number. I do not want to sound negative, but I want to make sure that we are not getting too ahead of ourselves, YET just based on what the school board passed last night.  We will get answers, just not immediately. 

With that, we will have an informational meeting Wednesday and Friday mornings at 7:15 in the auditorium at the high school for those students that are in the building that day. It will give me a chance to explain more to the current skiers as well as those interested in joining. If your student is not able to make it to these meetings, I will be putting the info being handed out on the blog. 

Thanks for your patience!!

Denny

Season Starts Nov 30

According to what has been posted, we will be starting Nov 30 and it is a 14 week season, which would put us into the first week of March. No word on State yet, but supposedly we are limited to 11 meets, can have two per week, and all meets have to be dual or tri. 

I’m sure much more will come. 😁

Denny

Week of Aug 3rd

We are in the final week of being able to work with the skiers for the sumer. We have had a great turn out this year and the energy levels have been high, giving a positive feeling for this upcoming winter!! This week we will be at Bunker for both Tuesdy and Thursday and we will be on wheels. Any questions, please let me know, Thanks Denny

Week of July27

We are down to our last two weeks of being able to work with the skiers during the summer and it has been great to see the numbers as well as the effort that is coming out of everyone, plus they seem to be having fun doing the work!!

Here is what we are planning for this week:
Tuesday - Knox Hill, Wintercrest Park, on foot with classic poles
Thursday - Bunker Golf Course Parking Lot 1, on wheels, skate

One thing new to note is the need for a face mask at the beginning and end of workouts.  With the new executive order for masks indoors, even though we are outdoors, we are in close enough proximity to each other that we need everyone to please bring theirs to wear during warm ups, drills and at the end of practices.

Thanks,
Denny