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.
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| 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”.
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| 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 11th place. Eli Hoenig finished 13th place, and Freshman Braden Becker was our third scorer in 20th place. Junior Hannah Cole, skied her best skate race of the season finishing 16th overall. Hannah Benson was our second finisher in 28th place, and Sarah Becker rounded out our scorers with a 30th place finish.
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| Jordan Fields rippin! |
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| Eli Hoenig getting aggressive! |
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| Braden Becker getting after it! |
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| HC is ferocious! |
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| Hannah Benson sprinting to the finish! |
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| 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 11th place, and Braden was our third scorer in 12th. The ladies also skied a gutsy race with Hannah Benson finishing in 15th place, Junior Tsaina Mahlen in 21st, and Hannah Cole right behind her in 22nd. 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.
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| Eli sprinting for the win! |
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| Jack with Braden and Jordan not far behind! |
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| Jordan leading Braden and Nick up the A-climb, with Coach Perry screaming at 'em!! |
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| Hannah Benson is focused! |
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| Tsaina getting cheered on by Rebecca! |
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| Hannah Cole - Look at that technique!! |
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| 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!
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| Watching World Cup at the airport. |
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| Caught 'em! |
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| Playing catch while Jason gets the rental car... |
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| Not too bad... |
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| Gotta stay hydrated at 7000ft! |
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| SOOO much fun! |
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| Sun's out, gun's out!! |
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| Eli and Jack crushed dinner last night!! |
Huge congrats to Freshman Nick Gardner, who crushed the first race at Junior Nationals this morning!!
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