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