Conference Results

Congratulations to the following skiers for earning All Conference today in the Pursuit event, Aaron Casey, Josh Thoen, Ryan Powley, Lilah Gilyard and Stella Bone.  Also earning All Conference in the Sprint Relay was Albi Ludwig and Lachlan Demmer.  Gaining Honorable Mention were Peyton Martinek, Ruby Demmer and Megan Fuller.  Congrats to all these skiers for their accomplishments but all of those that raced today.  Overall meet results are at the following link.  Once we get these final results I will put a link to them on the right side of the blog: https://www.superiortiming.com/2022/01/nwsc-nordic-ski-championship-2022/

It was tough to beat the weather we had today for some fun, hard effort racing and it was a big positive, one of the most positive days we have had with our program in a number of years for the whole team.  Both teams improved on their places from their places from throughout the season as well as from a year ago, as the Boy's finished in a solid 3rd place out of 12 teams and the Girls a much improved 6th place with almost completely new team from a year ago.

This was a great day to watch and enjoy but it is also a great day to build off of, not only for this year but for the years to come.  Thanks to all of those that were able to come out and watch and also a big thank you to JV skiers that came with and helped and cheered on the team.  It was a great vibe and I feel it was a big help in how we did, as well as good for them to see what this experience is like.

Thanks,

Denny  

Conference Week

Here is some information for the week of Jan 31.  Please remember to go through the previous post for the detailed info on the NWSC Meet Monday at Hyland.

Monday - Arrive at school by 6:30 to help bring things to the bus.  Bus leaves at 6:45.  Awards are not until after 5, so not expected back until after 6:00.  For those going, there will be some food provided by the Booster Club, but please remember to bring plenty of water and food that you are comfortable with.  Also, please note that there are a few skiers that are allergic to nuts.  Also bring extra clothes and any school work that can be done on the bus.  For the skiers there will be a lot of down time.

Tuesday - Skate or Classic for JV, depending on what they are racing on Wednesday.  Varsity Skate.  Skiing at Bunker Campground.

Wednesday - JV Conference at Elm Creek.  Bus leaves at 2:00, Boys at 3:45, Girls at 4:00.

Thursday - Varsity, for those that are able to, will go to Theo Wirth and skate on the Section course.  JV will be Skating at Bunker Campground

Friday - Classic at Bunker Campground

Saturday - We would like to get one more good workout in before Sections, but we will see how everyone is doing, the snow conditions, as well as the weather conditions.

Thanks,
Denny 

Conference Meet Information

Please read through all of this.  It is a lot of information, but this is a new format for all of us, so it is important that you all go through this. Below is the time schedule and some basic notes as well as a bunch of links with all of the information for Monday's NWSC Meet at Hyland.  Please note that this is an all day event and the skiers will be absent all day.  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.  Also below is the starting line ups for both the pursuit and sprint relay races.

Any questions, please let me know,
Denny

Pursuit (Classic) Start List

Sprint Relay Prelims

Time Schedule 

6:30AM Arrive at School, help pack bus and trailer

6:45AM Bus will leave

8:15AM Coaches Meeting 

9:00AM Boys Classic 5K Race 1 skier every 20 seconds (wand start) Single Line 

9:45AM Girls Classic 5K Race 

10:45AM/11:10AM 

11:35AM/12:00PM Boys Team Sprint Qualifications (top 6 times overall will advance to the finals)

12:30-12:45PM Break for Workers 

12:45PM/1:10PM 

1:35PM/2:00PM Girls Team Sprint Qualifications (top 6 times overall will advance to the finals)

2:25PM Boys Team Sprint Finals 

2:50PM Girls Team Sprint Finals 

3:30PM Boys Freestyle Pursuit (3 Start Gates) 

4:10PM Girls Freestyle Pursuit (3 Start Gates) 

5:15PM Awards Presentation

SCORING 4 Pursuit Skiers + 1 Sprint Relay Team Scoring Rubric is similar to Section and State Meet *Only 1 Sprint Relay Will Score Team Points 

AWARDS Top 24 Pursuit Skiers in each gender will earn All Conference Honors Top 6 Sprint Relay Teams in each gender will earn All Conference Honors

Here are the courses as well as a map of the stadium (start/finish area).  Please note that these are going to be very restricted and parents will not be allowed in them.  Also note that there is very limited space for teams (buses and team camp areas).  We would like for the athletes to be able to have their room, so we ask that parents limit your time in these areas, especially right before and right after a race.  Allow the skiers the time to get ready and then decompress after their races:

Sprint Course

Pursuit Course

Stadium Area/Set Up

General Notes: 

Classic Race 

* We will be issuing chips when athletes enter the stadium and will collect at the finish line 

* We will be using a single file line and a wand start 

* One skier every 20 seconds 

* There will be a technique zone where only striding is allowed. 

* We will be using time of day for our start times 

Sprint Relay 

* Heats and lanes were determined by random draw 

* Coaches are not allowed to rewax skis or switch skis during the sprint race FIS 326.2.3 

* Top 6 times from the prelims will advance to the finals 

* Lanes for the finals will be selected based on prelim times 

* We will be using time of day for our start times 

* Once the qualifications are completed and the sprint final line up is determined, please return your bibs to the finish area if you team does not advance 

Freestyle Pursuit 

* Due to time constraints and covid constraints, we will not reissue new bibs for the pursuit 

* We will be using time of day for our start times 

* We will be collecting bibs at the finish line

Below are two short videos that we are having the skiers racing watch.  It is also helpful if a parent/spectator watches them as well to have a better understanding of how the starts in the Classic race and the sprint relays will work.  For the Freestyle pursuit race, skiers will be sent out in the place they finished the Classic race in, in the amount of time behind the leader they finished.

How to start a race with a wand: https://youtu.be/gP29Oi9nwcU

How to start the Team Sprint: https://youtu.be/MTwPa0nkegA

Thursday Meet Results

Meet results from today's meet at Elm Creek are now posted on the right side of the blog.

Today was a solid day and a day that showed a lot of improvement by the whole team.  The energy level with everyone seemed to be higher and more determined.  It's a great thing to see, especially at this time of the season.  We know that with our youth that there is still a lot that can be improved and that we need to work on, but to see what these skiers are currently doing and how much fun they seem to be having is a positive and something to really look forward to, not only for the rest of this season but for seasons to come.

Aaron and Lilah led the way for both teams with 2nd place finishes, as the Boy's took 2nd out of 6 and the Girl's took 3rd.  With the Boy's Ryan, 4th, and Josh, 7th, were able to finish in the top 10.  On the Girls side, Stella finished in a solid 18th place for an 8th grader to also help the Girl's.

Next up is the Northwest Suburban Conference Meet on Monday at Hyland Park.  I will be putting all of the info out on Friday.  For those that do not race Monday, they will be racing on Wednesday at Elm Creek in which they will get to chose what they would like to ski, skate or classic.

Thanks,
Denny

Meet Times Changed, 1/27/22

Meet times for Thursday's race at Elm Creek have been changed.  Girls will be racing at 4:00 and the Boys will be racing at 4:30.

Thanks

Denny

Week of Jan 24

Below are the basics for this upcoming week.  Our race is currently set for Thursday at Elm Creek, but there may be a change to Elk River for a more challenging course.  If that happens, than I will let everyone know.  Also, Friday is going to be Team Pictures.  Please read and use the information at the bottom of this message for being able to order pictures.

Monday, Skate at Bunker Dog Park

Tuesday, Classic at Bunker Golf Course

Wednesday, Classic at Bunker Campground

Thursday, Classic Race at Elm Creek, Girls at 3:30, Boys at 4:00

Friday, Skate at Bunker Campground, Team Pictures

Saturday, we are in discussion and will see how things are going as far as a practice is concerned.  However, we will need to wax skis for those that will be racing in the Conference Meet, which is on Monday, Jan 31 at Hyland Park.   This is an all day race, so those going will be missing the whole day of school. We will be announcing the team in the beginning of this week and then I will put out all information at that time as well.

Any questions, please let me know,
Thanks

Denny

For those that would like to order pictures, please use the code and information below:

CUSTOM CODE:  PGJC27875

TEXT CODE TO: 90738

PLEASE SEND YOUR TEXT IN PRIOR TO PICTURE DAY.  

ONCE YOU HAVE OPTED-IN, YOU WILL RECEIVE ANOTHER TEXT WHEN THE IMAGES ARE READY TO VIEW AND ORDER.

Hyland 5K Skate

Temps were cold, the wind was blowing pretty good, and the course the most challenging that most had to ski on this year, but both teams had their highest placings on the season, with the Boy's in 2nd out of 6 and the Girl's taking 3rd.  Other teams were missing a few of their skiers, but we have had to deal with that a lot lately as well, and we are starting to come back together and forming into shape to have a good last couple of weeks on the season.

Lilah continues her solid season with her second victory in a row, this time with one of her best skate races in her career.  Aaron had another solid top performance finishing in 2nd, 11 seconds off the leader, and getting back into shape after being out for a week.  And as these two continue to push for top performances every meet, the rest of the team is moving up and this is the biggest reason the team placings are moving up.  The Girl's team is so young and still learning so much in their skiing lives that the possibilities of improvement are always there.  The depth of the Boy's team is also fairly young and inexperienced with four 2nd year skiers fighting for top 6 and top 10 spots on our team.  The hope is that we can bring it all together in the next couple of weeks for the Conference, Section and State meets, as well as a JV meet or two to end the season on positive notes.

Next up is a classic race at Elm Creek on Thursday, Jan 27.

Thanks,
Denny