Taconic Crests and Double Pole Tests

Fall has arrived! Or so the calendar says... The month of September has been quite warm here in Williamstown, but everyone seems to be keeping their cool more or less! It's been great to see everyone again and to begin to get to know the wonderful freshman- what a lovely group of people. This past week we worked hard, sweated harder, and of course had some great views and good fun!

This is a Driscoll version of my latest brunch concoction that I came up with this summer with the encouragement of the fabulous Carmen Bango. Yes, I put vinegar on fruit. And yes, the eggs tasted great with it. 

The classic Taconic Crest–RRR run vista

The legendary field where Sonya began counting all the goldenrods in Williamstown for her research this summer. She's either still counting or has yet to reveal the number- we may never know. 

Ingrid and I enjoying a good ol mid-frolic selfie. 

Nothing like a good double pole test to brighten the week! Here's Dylan tearing it up. 

Sonya crushing it per usual.

Nick eyeing the finish. 

Captain Becker flying up the big hill.

Captain Schrupp hammering. 

Maggie slaying her first Williams double pole test!

Franklin giving it his all!

Henry getting after it!

Andrew also killing it! Go freshmen!
(Although Big Safety would like to point of the absence of his helmet?? Maybe he just enjoys the extra resistance of the wind going through his hair... We'll keep an eye on it)

Ivy showing us her best game face. Watch out.

All smiles afterwards! Shout out to the one and only Jack Consenstein for the great photos!

The start of the season is fast approaching and the Ephs are looking like a strong bunch! I'm excited for this year!  

Rock the cow!! 

Skiing, Running, and Fresh Grass! Oh My!

Hi there!

Things are pretty much in full swing here as we head into our third week of classes and captains' practices. Some highlights from the past week include...

Our first rollerski OD in the lovely town of Savoy:

Yahoo! We love legs-only! And holding hands! And fresh pavement!

Sonya and I spontaneously twinning:

Smart minds think in Denim Dresses, Red Flannels, and Chacos

Our first time-trial of the school year, a 3k on the track on a foggy and very humid Saturday morning: 

Maggie and I battling it out with one lap to go (She beat me, of course)

Shcrupp and McGrew running fast

Franklin, Emil, and Jack also running fast

Our two fastest women, Sonya and Sarah, deep in the pain cave 

Isabel laying it all out there 

Lucy showing her stuff

Later in the day, Maggie, Sonya, Lucy, Nick, and I ventured over to Mass MoCA in North Adams to check out the Fresh Grass Music festival:

Eating dinner, sitting on a hill, listening to some jams

What a wild ride! 

Lucy making a new friend

Look, we can take mirror selfies!

Showing off our pasta sauce jar tats

Getting up close to The Wood Brothers

Smiling because there are upside down trees and Brandi Carlile rocks

See you around,

Ingrid

Bowling Night!

No better way to start off a new semester than with a bowling night, so naturally Williams Nordic made our way to Mingos for a little bit of togetherness. 

Here's Mr. Syben looking tough for the cam

Isabel Lane, Magdalen York, Andrew Hull and Sonya Jampel bonding

Ingrid hasn't taken the Midwest tights off since getting campus, and was quite the sight representing her colors at the lanes.

Heidi Halvorsen, Jack Consenstein, Ivy Spiegel-Ostrom, Lucy Alexander and Elowyn Pfeiffer just having a ball.

Captain Schrupp looking fresh

ya gotta dress professionally

and here's a shot of Connie for the fans

Welcome back friends!

I have been psyched to get back on campus after a quick one month hiatus.  This last month I have enjoyed hanging out and traveling with family and friends.  One of the highlights was watching the total solar eclipse in Stayton, Oregon.

Before and after the eclipse it was a beautiful clear day.

We were in shock!  There was a 360 degree sunset and the stars came out.

My brother Jacob and sister Serena

The projection of the partial eclipse is on the white frisbee.  It kind of looks like a moon.

It dropped 5 to 10 degrees during the eclipse so I had to bundle up.

Thanks Mom for the pictures!  

I hope everyone had a good first two days of classes.  Log lunch was delicious with a huge shout out to Elowyn!

Introducing Myself!

Hello to everyone surfing the interweb!  It is the beginning of a new school year for the students, and the beginning of a new adventure for me as the new assistant coach for Williams.  I figured this would be a good outlet for those that are more interested about who I am, where I come from, and some of my skiing experiences that I hope to bring to the team.

I graduated from the College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, MN) in the spring of 2013.  I was a member of the varsity nordic team there for 4 years and competed for the Saints at 2 NCAA championships (2012, 2013).  My best result was an 11th place finish in the 20km mass start skate at Middlebury in 2013.  I owe everything to that team and my coach.  I had some rough experiences with skiing and racing while in high school and those four years in Duluth changed my outlook and perspective on skiing and is the reason why I want to be a ski coach.  I hope to be able to pass down those experiences and give the student-athletes here at Williams every chance to have the enjoyable and unforgettable collegiate experience that I had.

My most important lesson learned in College:  "You need to keep things fun, if you do not enjoy what you do, what is the point?"

Post-NCAA photo fun!

After graduating from St. Scholastica with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology, I went on to become the Lead Coach at Endurance United Ski Club (St. Paul, MN).  It was through Endurance United that I got my first real taste of ski coaching and instantly fell in love.  Interestingly enough I was able to be one of the coaches for the world famous Nick Gardner.  If any one would like to hear any embarrassing stories about Nick and his downhill skills, there will be plenty of time this Fall/Winter during van rides that I can spill some beans.

First race as "Coach"

In 2015 I parted ways with Endurance United to continue my education overseas.  I travelled to Jyväskylä, Finland to get a Masters degree in the Biology of Physical Activity, with a focus on the Science of Sports Coaching and Fitness Testing.  While in Finland, I was able to work closely with Rex Ski Wax, and traveled to several World Cup races and a wax technician.  It was an incredible experience to be involved with racing at the highest level and I hope to someday return as a coach to the World Cup level.

"Ya, thats right, we are World Cup coaches..."

After I finished my Masters degree, I moved back stateside and started working at Stratton Mountain School in Vermont as an assistant coach.  I will forever remember my time in Stratton as it gave me the opportunity to coach not only one of the best junior ski clubs in the US, but also work with the SMS Elite team and some of the best skiers in the world.

During the last two summers I have been the Head Coach for the NSW XC Ski Club based out of Perisher Ski Resort in Australia.  It has been an awesome experience to be able to ski in another part of the world (in July nonetheless).  This last summer was even more special for me as I was able to bring my partner with me to Australia as the Assistant Coach for the program and we got engaged on top of the highest mountain in Australia!

On top of Mt. Kosciuszko

Worlds greatest selfie.

This brings me to my time here at Williams.  I am pumped to be working with such a successful and storied program.  In my short time here so far I have noticed that one of the greatest attributes to this team is the team spirit and respect for everyone on the team.  I am looking forward to working with the team and starting this new chapter in my coaching career!

Cheers!

Jeremy Hecker

Back to Williamstown! Fall here we come!

The past few weeks have been filled with some good end of summer fun, preparing for going back to school, and quality time with friends and family.

This week I enjoyed a nice road trip out to Williamstown with my mom, dad, and sister.

After saying ’see ya later' to St. Paul, we headed east.















 Me and the sister and the Mississippi river before we left Minnesota.


One of the beautiful sites we got to see was the "Grand Canyon of the Northeast.” I have never been to the Grand Canyon not of the northeast, but I can assure you that this was a wonderful and grand place.

Once we got to Williamstown the family stuck around for a few days to experience Williamstown. I decided it would be nice to take the family on a little walk up to Taconic Crest. I guess a fall semester away from Williams really didn’t do great things for my route planning, 5 hours later we popped out onto Route 346. Luckily my great friend Sarah Becker came to a quick rescue in her car as the sun was setting.

The sister at the Snowhole, a good 3 hours into the long walk.

With a fun summer coming to a close I am excited to be back on campus. My little walk with my family got me looking forward to a fun fall of training back with the team in the beautiful area that surrounds us!