A few (closing) thoughts.

Tonight I was floored and overwhelmed by the generosity and support of Tech’s ski family. Both in material gifts and in the invaluable spoken and written words you sent toward me and everyone on the team. Remember: all I could ever do is facilitate. I couldn’t ski an extra lap for you. I wasn’t a puppeteer controlling your movements. You improved your own technique. You got in better shape. It’s cliche for a reason: hard work pays off.

And everyone on this team worked hard. Choose whatever story you want from this season:

-Skinnyski wrote it already: “There was no bigger surprise in the boys field than Cory Rouw of St. Cloud Tech.”

-I was a little surprised to find out we won sections. We beat teams literally twice our size; imagine how strong Tech would be with a team twice as big.

-How many first-year skiers amazed their teammates with how quickly they improved?

Everyone on this team is full of surprises. And I think some of you even surprised yourselves this season.

My favorite part was watching the team come together. You shared each others’ victories and sympathized with each others’ defeats (which are widely recognized as the first step to success). I would be surprised if you remember your finish time at the second meet this year. I would be even more surprised if anyone who was at the section meet has wholly forgotten what it felt like to celebrate all of the victories that day with one another.

This is what is valuable to skiing. It’s the connections you share and the memories you make.

My point is that you skied, you worked on your technique, you got in better shape - and there’s literally no one else in the universe who can do that. All of you have helped build this team. I didn't make you a faster skier, you made yourself a faster skier.

I’m giving in to temptation to quote, "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." -Bilbo Baggins

I welcome feedback and criticism of any kind, because I know we all can improve but it’s often most difficult to see where to improve from the inside looking out.

Thank you for making this such a great season.

P.S.: Here is the Victor C. Dunder award application information.

State Meet & Banquet Info

State Meet time...!!!!

Schedule

2/12/13
Depart Tech at 7:30am
Arrive at Giants Ridge 11:30am.
Girls Coaches Relay Race 1pm.
State Team PreSki 2pm
Room Check in 4pm
Dinner: 6ish

2/13/14
Race Day:
10:00am Boys Skate Race (15sec intervals)
11:00am Girls Skate Race (15sec intervals)

1:30pm Boys Classic Race
2:30pm Girls Skate Race

The Tech Nordic Ski Team Banquet is Tuesday, February 25th.
Location/Time: Tech Cafeteria from 6-8pm.
The cost to Adults is $13 each. (skiers & siblings are free)
Meals are being catered in by Noodles & Company.
Please bring your washed race suit for uniform check-in.
Return any team issued ski equipment as well. If you would like to continue using ski equipment until after Mid-Winter break please e-mail me to make arrangements.

Jr. High Championship

This is the final race for our Jr. High skiers and a great way to wrap up the racing season against age group peers. All the High School skiers are looking forward to returning the the many cheers the Jr. High students shared with them along side the trail all season.

Jr. High Championship schedule:

3:20 Boys 7th grade race
3:30 Boys 8th grade race
3:40 Girls 7th grade race
3:50 Girls 8th grade race

Skiers will be dismissed at 2:00.
Bus pick up at 2:15.
Change into your race uniform prior to getting on the bus if possible.

Skiers outside the State Team are welcome to attend practice until February 11th, but it is purely optional. The biggest deciding factor for many is we no longer have busing from school to Riverside.

The Team Banquet is scheduled for February 25th from 6-8pm in the Tech High School cafeteria. More info to later....

2/5

Good Morning,

Sorry for the early or late post.

We have a two hour early dismissal today. Which makes practice at 3:30 difficult but we are having practice.
I'm hoping the Jr. High parents could get there students to practice. It would be good to get on the skis the day before the Jr. High Championship.

I expect all the Section Skiers at practice today.

Section 8 Nordic Meet Info

Section Details:
Boys Team: Cory, Isaac, Jason, Zeb, Carter, Noah, Jack
Girls Team: Katie, Kaethe, Shannon, Shannon, Mary, Miriam, Bethany

We depart Tech at 1:30 Monday 2/3/14. You will be dismissed at 1:00 from class.
We will be lodging at the Maplelag Resort.
There is a $55 fee.
Three meals are included. (Dinner/pasta, Breakfast/pancakes, and Lunch/not sure? bring food to snack on during the bus ride or meals you are comfortable with race day.)
You need to bring a sleeping bag or linens and a pillow.
We should arrive at 5pm. Plan on a 30 minute pre-ski after we get off the bus to shake the legs out after the long ride and get race ready.
You will be given room assignments at 6pm and dinner will be served at 6:30.

Tuesday 2/4/14

Schedule of Events:
Boys Varsity: Freestyle 10am
Girls Varsity : Freestyle 11am

Boys Varsity: Classical 1:30pm
Girls Varsity: Classical  2:30pm

Awards Ceremony: Approximately 4pm

Starting Procedure: Interval start with one skier departing every 15 seconds out of 2 start lanes.
Classical Race is pursuit start with 3 starting lanes.

Depart Maplelag: 5 and arrive home 8-9ish

There will not be scheduled practice for skiers not attending Monday and Tuesday. The weather looks great for tomorrow and Tuesday locally so try to get out and ski if possible. The temps are supposed to tumble throughout the week. See everyone Wednesday:-)