Evaluation: Boys, Class of '19

Joshua Harrington, Olivia Meyerson and Eliza Rorabaugh are currently beginning senior week in preparation for graduation.  The state of Joshua's P.E. credits, parking tickets and school health insurance payments is still unknown, but regardless we expect each one of them to shake our dear President Adam's hand and receive a shiny diploma in less than a week. To alleviate the pain their absences will inevitably inflict, I turn my attention the youngest members of the nordic boys squad, the rising sophomores Braden Becker, Nick Gardner and Evan Carr... just writing their names makes me quiver.

When Braden Becker began school in the fall, fresh off a PG year in Sun Valley, he considered himself a man. A few little hairs were starting to sprout on his chin and upper lip, and his growth spurt was just concluding. Little did he know, manhood would have to be fought for, worked at and won-over.  But now, with the school year behind him, anyone who crosses his path will immediately smell the toughness embedded into his thickened leather skin.  Try messing with him, and you'll get the singular Braden response: a stone-cold stare with a slight, all-knowing grin.  He considers himself funnier than he really is, but we can forgive him for that. 

Braden Becker playing soccer with his entry early this September

If there's one thing I learned this year, it's that a euro-haircut combined with a midwest accent will not necessarily result in disaster. Nick Gardner knows how to do a lot of things; ask him about any of his skills, and I'm sure he'll be happy to share. His knowledge of crafts is infinite, he can glide on a single skate ski for an entire race, and he's better at talking to ladies than even our own famous Norwegian viking warrior Hans Halvorsen and prep-schooled, salmon shorted, pretty-boy Jack Schrupp combined. Of course, Nick also thinks he's funnier than he is. Next time you see Nick, just remind him that he's still a little boy, and has lots to learn about the world -- humor comes with experience.

Evidence

Imagine an oak tree. Now keep that image in your head, and also imagine Evan Carr standing right next to the tree, shoulders back and chin up. See a difference between oak and Evan? You won't be able to, because it turns out that Evan is an oak tree. I figured that out near the end of school, when he was standing under a tree in science quad, silent and still, and I simply could not tell the two apart. Sometimes his tree-ness breaks down, however, and his wild side comes out. When that happens, approach Evan carefully, but if you can make it to his person, give him a big hug. His hugs are fantastic, ask anyone. I'm not sure Evan thinks he's that funny, and he's not. Let's hope his ego doesn't grow as tall as he is.  

To be completely honest, we could not have asked for better additions to our team. Long live the class of '19 -- not the hardest class but still pretty awesome.

Love,

Eli

Summer Begins!

Now that finals are over, 3000 meter tests have been run, and most people have left the Purple Valley, its time for the first official blog post of summer! We nordic Ephs are scattered across the globe for the next three months, though I have decided to stay close to home this year working in the Appalachian Mountain Club's backcountry huts.

The past week has been spent in some pretty intensive hut training, learning about everything from how to treat tick bites (don't get bitten by a tick) to how to correctly emulsify vinegar and oil to make the perfect salad dressing (add oil slowly). I've also been able to take some quick jaunts around the mountains and am looking forward to many more once I have gotten to my hut and we open for the season!

Yesterday I hiked up to the hut with my family to drop off all of my stuff for the summer

A pretty darn beautiful commute

I was able to spend some time at my grandparents house visiting with them and looking out over the mountains where I'll be living!

Not a bad place to call home

Vanya and Emma made an appearance at my house over Memorial Day weekend to take advantage of the nice weather and great hiking. Happy Birthday Vanya!

Though it seems like I just got home, I will be in Williamstown this time next week for graduation to celebrate Olivia, Josh and Eliza's final moments as Williams students and to say goodbye to them as they start on their next adventures. To any of  you that are in or around New England this summer, you should definitely come up and visit me this summer. You will get the warmest high mountain hospitality you could possibly hope to find, and some beautiful hiking to boot!

Nails

Ruling the EISA will never come easy, but the Williams crew is taking steps to put ourselves at the top next season.

Last week before everyone started packing up and leaving campus, the men's team jogged up to the Chateau Costley to do a little outdoor strength session inspired by Jack Schrupp. We shuffled a deck of cards and worked our way through it, each suit corresponding to a workout and each number to the amount of reps.



Not a lot of shirts to be worn.

Jack Schrupp pressing a bag of fertilizer



Evan and Eli well on their way to 108 pushups



Dips and pull-ups in the woodshed



Eli's getting after it





Becker maxing out

 

The very next day the boys hit the track to run a 3000 in the rain.

Sadly, no shots from the race, but Carr got some shots of the aftermath.

While training hard will make you a good skier, I'm convinced the only way to be a great skier is training with a team like Williams. Everyone supports each other, be it cheering on that final, seemingly impossible pull-up, crowding around a Driscoll dinner table, or filling up every last seat (and more) in the geoscience lecture room to hear Josh defend his thesis. I'm already looking forward to the history that will be made next season, both on the trails and off. 

Watch out EISA!



See you next year, Williams

Back At It

Eph friends!

I know, I know, I know!!  This post is long overdue.  NCAA's in Steamboat and the week after, were pretty intense (to say the least!), and I think everyone, including myself, was looking forward to a relaxing spring break.  With that said, the coaches are back in the office finalizing this past year, and preparing for the next.  Training plans are being created.  Recruits are on campus.  The athletes are back in the classroom, dining halls, weight room, and trails.  And pretty much everyone is wondering what the heck Mother Nature thinking?!?!?  Looks like we'll be getting some nice weather later this week.

Back to Steamboat. - (Seriously though, take me back...)

The whole crew! Left to Right: Coach P, Alpine Assistant Coach Dan, Bryan Bailey, Hannah Hunsaker, Eli Hoenig, Jack Schrupp, Coach K, Coach J.

OH MY LANTA!!!  What a fun and rewarding week!  Jason and I still can't believe how well both Jack and Eli skied at 7000 feet.  That was definitely some of the best skating we've seen from the two of them in the 10k, and the classic race was simply amazing!  Eli skied out of his mind for the best Williams Nordic finish, ever!!!

WE can FLY - Part 1. Textbook technique.

WE can FLY - Part 2. It's too easy.

Post skate race.  Loving the sun, and awesome race finishes!!

WE can FLY - Part 3. Jack skied really well all week, and he's only a sophomore!  Watch out for this kid!!

WE can Fly - Part 4. Light feet, in your face cheering screaming. Right about when Eli started to feel the altitude.  He was straight chillin up until this point (start of the 4th lap) - An All-American finish was already solidified.

6th?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Testing skis and wax with Jason everyday in beautiful steamboat, with just a t-shirt on was so much fun.  We had a good mix of weather while we were there, with the first half being kind of dreary.  Luckily the last few days allowed for some sunny, 50F skiing.  Other than skiing in some huge mountains everyday, the boys took to the books pretty hard.  In fact, that's basically all they did, which speaks volume to the fact that they were probably the only skiers in Steamboat working that hard on school.  The four of us also ate really well.  We cooked some delicious meals in our house with lots of organic food and vegetables! It was great!

Huge shout out to Alum. Ben Corwin for getting Jason and I these awesome, wooden 3D plaques for our office!!

Time to get back in a routine here.  Look out for more blog posts coming soon!

P

Spring training in the desert

Jordan and Nick joined Ben Corwin '15 in Denver and the trio drove to the desert for a few days of exploration. Lots of brush, freezing stream crossings, red canyon walls, sand, and sore feet later, they exited the desert, Ben drove home, and Jordan and Nick returned to the desert to see no more people for another four days. 

 Navigating by quadrangle.

The first wash.

Overcome

Today is the greatest day I have ever been an Eph. Eli Hoenig just skied to a historic 6th place at the Division I National Championships. Jack Schrupp just skied an incredible personal best 24th place. Both have worked so hard all year long focused on this week, this day, this race, this finish. Beyond the race course, these guys are All-Americans too. They're friends and teammates you know you can always count on, who consistently put the team before themselves and who I know will be soft spoken about their victories today. That's why I am bragging for them.

This victory also represents the amazing people at the helm of our ship: Jason and Perry. Eli and Jack definitely had the best skis out there today, from what I could tell, and I know our coaches have been on a caffeine-klister fueled craze since the break of dawn working to make today possible. I know too, that Eli and Jack had the most fearsome cheerers on course today - I'll be surprised if Jason and Perry's voices have recovered by our spring meetings next month. Their heart, their souls, and their bodies too, are in this as much as we are. That kind of commitment is invaluable.

And the team, huddled around their laptops across campus, texting each other back and forth, desperately, hopelessly invested in events they, painfully, cannot control halfway across the country are big players here too. The community that the team has become this year is incredible. I know every single skier not in Steamboat was watching this race. 1500 miles apart or not - this was a team effort.

A team effort that I am proud, and lucky, to a part of. An effort that I won't soon, or ever, forget.

To Eli, to Jack, to Jason, to Perry, to teammates, to parents, to the Williams Skiing community - thank you for always giving your all and making today possible.

With love,

Jordan

NCAA 5/10 Skate Live Stream

Cheer on Eph Skiers Eli Hoenig (bib 20) and Jack Schrupp (bib 33) tomorrow in the 10K NCAA skate race! You should be able to see live coverage here:

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/skiing

Women's 5K at 9AM (11AM EST) and Men's 10K at 10:30AM (12:30PM EST)

Live timing and results should be available here:

http://buffs.me/16ncaaski

Go Ephs!

Pre Race Dinner
All Organic - Check!

Late Night
Test Fleet Waxing - Check!

Regionals to NCAA's

Last weekend, the team was at the EISA Regional Championships, hosted by Middlebury College.  Given the trend in this year’s snow conditions in New England, the Carnival schedule was changed due to heavy rain earlier in the week, with the 5/10k skate on Saturday and the mass start 15/20k classic on Sunday.  All things considered, Rikert was able to host some great ski races, despite some mishaps on a select few icy corners.

Making skis fast!!

On Friday night, the entire EISA league gathered for desserts in one of Middlebury’s illustrious dining halls.  It was at this time that Head Coach Jason Lemieux was awarded the EISA Nordic Coach of the Year.  He was one of four coaches nominated for the prestigious accomplishment.  In a short, sweet, and selfless speech, Jason stated that “behind all of these awards are really talented athletes, and a really good Assistant Coach”.

The man, the myth, the legend.

I’m so proud of Jason, and our Nordic team.  He is the driving force behind our current success.  His positive attitude, focus, and contagious motivation to succeed are catapulting Williams College to the forefront of a very competitive Nordic field.  Our team is that of highly-academic, determined, and down right gritty student-athletes, and we show no sign of slowing down.

I fully believe, that if we work as hard as we can, and push our athletes to work harder, and strive for more, that we will continue to succeed.  It is because of Jason’s zealous attitude toward his job, that I continue to fight for more.  I knew he would win this award because I know I’m not the only coach in this league that feels the same way I do.  He was most deserving of this accomplishment.

With that being said, the Eph’s had a great final weekend of racing.  The men skied first on Saturday, with Jordan Fields skiing an excellent race for 11^th place.  Eli Hoenig finished 13^th place, and Freshman Braden Becker was our third scorer in 20^th place.  Junior Hannah Cole, skied her best skate race of the season finishing 16^th overall.  Hannah Benson was our second finisher in 28^th place, and Sarah Becker rounded out our scorers with a 30^th place finish.

Jordan Fields rippin!

Eli Hoenig getting aggressive!

Braden Becker getting after it!

HC is ferocious!

Hannah Benson sprinting to the finish!

Sarah Becker skiing into the top 30!

On Sunday, our men’s team continued to show their depth and prowess with five in the top 17.  But the highlight was Junior Eli Hoenig sprinting for the win, only to be bested by two inches at the line.  Jack finished with an 11^th place, and Braden was our third scorer in 12^th.  The ladies also skied a gutsy race with Hannah Benson finishing in 15^th place, Junior Tsaina Mahlen in 21^st, and Hannah Cole right behind her in 22^nd.  At the end of the day, Eli garnered a spot on the First Team All-East, and Jack to the Second Team All-East – Rather, Jack was robbed of his spot on the All-East team by a mishap in point calculations.  He was awarded the spot later in the week.

Eli sprinting for the win!

Jack with Braden and Jordan not far behind!

Jordan leading Braden and Nick up the A-climb, with Coach Perry screaming at 'em!!

Hannah Benson is focused!

Tsaina getting cheered on by Rebecca!

Hannah Cole - Look at that technique!!

Eli on the podium at Regional Championships!!

Jason and I are currently in Steamboat Springs, Colorado with our two NCAA qualifiers, Eli and Jack.  Travelling went smoothly, and all our skis and gear made it safe and sound.  We previewed the course yesterday with a super easy skate ski – the air out here at 7000ft is thin!  Despite a few rain showers yesterday afternoon, the snow is holding up well – they have about a two-foot base.  We awoke this morning to a couple inches of fresh powder before Jack and Eli classic TT’d around the 5k race loop – they are looking fast!

Watching World Cup at the airport.

Caught 'em!

Playing catch while Jason gets the rental car...

Not too bad...

Gotta stay hydrated at 7000ft!

SOOO much fun!

Sun's out, gun's out!!

Eli and Jack crushed dinner last night!!

Huge congrats to Freshman Nick Gardner, who crushed the first race at Junior Nationals this morning!!