News Flash! Pole Mountain Shuffle was invaded by costume wearing Middle School Nordic skiers.

The 2022 Pole Mountain Shuffle will go down in history as the most fun, best attended and fastest Medicine Bow Nordic Association 's fun race in a very long time.  Personally, from my coaches eyes I love the fun energy this event brought our kiddos.  They proved they can ski hard as well as get a little goofy!

I had an amazing encounter with a Citizen participant of this race. A mature man (mature like Coach Hamann).  He made a point to stop me looking for this teams coach. (What? I did not look like a coach in my Tigger pajamas?) He wanted to make sure the coach knew how much he enjoyed our team! He called us really good young skiers.  He then told me how polite and courteous and encouraging we were on the trail.  Parents, skiers, LMS you should be proud of all your little crazy dressed up critters!

On to this week:  Saturday, February 5, 2022 we travel to Casper!  Be warned this is an early bus load and departure.  (6:45 load, bus leaves at 7AM)  Watch for more information through the emails and Remind.  Requirements to travel with the team. 1) 9 Practices,  2) Passing your classes,  3) Physically healthy,  4) By Transportation requirements, we will have to wear a mask while on the bus.  This is a Freestyle Race-  meaning any ski technique is allowed.  There will be a 3KM and a Novice event.  If you get on the bus you will ski in the race.  

Practices this week!  Cross your fingers that we have enough bus drivers  to get us to Happy Jack.  Other than that we ski as usual, Monday - Thursday.  Friday will be a travel team meeting, and wax day.

A huge thank you note:  One of our team parents Matt Burkhart has been using his snow machine and borrowed equipment and packing the  LMS practice field  on the days we have needed to be in town. It has been a huge blessing to work technique and have quality practices close to home.  Please thank him if you see him.

Awards for this week:

10K Glutton For Punishment Award:  Jackson Craine

Team Leadership Award:  Entire 8th Grade 

Heart Award: Jumanna Ahmed 

Most Improved Technique: Audrey Olson

Sportsmanship Award:  The entire Team on Saturday!

 We have a very busy next 3 weeks.  3 Saturdays, 3 meets.  Hold on here we go!

January 29, 2022  Pole Mountain Shuffle

         5KM only, skiers may choose skate or classic.  It would be great if all skiers decided to ski this event.  You don't have to be fast, it is a huge accomplishment to ski a longer race.  COSTUMES are highly encouraged. (footy pajamas, capes, tutus.. ) Lets make this a fun day!  The rest of the season gets sort of serious. 

There is a google doc shared to the ScoutNordic  email, please take a look and decide on what technique your skier will be doing for this race.  If Your name is not on the list please add it.  

Also since this race is a MBNA race we need to have waivers for racers signed. Watch for this.  Signed waivers must be in a coaches hand to be able to ski this race,  There is no entry fee. Thx

Parents we need a few helpers.  This is a race for anybody to ski.  Parents, this might be a time for some friendly competition with your child.    Registration for non ski team members is on the MBNA website.

February 5, 2022  Casper 

February 12, 2022  Lander

These are long travel days but worth it!  Watch for race info.  

Starting this week we shift to skate skis for those who have them.  Keep coming if you have only classic skis.  The next 2 middle school races are what we call Freestyle (All ski techniques allowed.)

We are being very firm about following the School districts policy on wearing masks on longer rides in the bus. If your skier has a problem wearing a mask to our local ski trails he or she may want to think hard about traveling to Casper and Lander.  Parent transportation is very tricky and not encouraged.  To many variables in getting to the race course and finding our team. 

Practice days for the next three weeks.  Please stick to your assigned days.  If you need to change days or make up days you need to contact a coach before practice.  (Not 10 minutes before.) Unexpected kiddos will not be allowed on the bus.  We have to know who is traveling to practice.  Unexpected skiers take up bus space for those expected. 

Week 4

WOW! We had some great fun at our home meet. Thank you parents who helped out. We cannot do this type of an event without you! Our Scout Nordic Team did a great job on the trails! Some skied really fast, some finished a race for the first time. All did their team proud!

 As I observed over the past week I need to mention a few standout skiers: 

 The TRUE GRIT AWARD goes to Alex Specht. He skied the race placing in the top 10 and has only been on skis 3 days ever! 

The BEST DRESSED AWARD goes to Flynn Arnold. The fancy flag shorts he had on over his race tights helped him ski very fast!

 The HEART AWARD goes to James Specht for fighting through a very tough week and still skiing like a Champ. 

The LEADERSHIP AWARD goes to Alex Burkhart for taking the lead during practice and helping out his group. 

The WAX LIKE A CHAMP AWARD goes Sawyer Layson.

 We have had a bunch of others really step up and create team unity. A huge shout out to those 8th graders who organized Friday night waxing.

 Now to this week. 

  Monday - No School-No Practice 

 Tuesday- Thursday Practice at Happy Jack Home by 5:30PM

 Friday- No Waxing but we will ski in the park, Done by 5PM 

 This week will be a Classic Ski week. Next week we shall shift to Skating for those of you wanting to skate. 

 Parents, if you took pictures of your skiers racing, we would love a few for the yearbook. Send them to Coach Hamann or message them to the Scout Nordic Facebook page.

 There are a few pair of race tights left. They are 35$.. Contact Coach Hamann

 January 29, 2022  Pole Mountain Shuffle

 start time 10AM 

 This is a skiers choice for technique and a chance to ski a longer distance if you choose. 

 This race is a  race organized by the Medicine Bow Nordic Association. Parents, siblings, Whoever wants, can ski in it.

 Here is the link for more information: https://www.medicinebownordic.org/pole-mountain-shuffle.html 

 Middle School Skiers will be entered you do not need to do that part yourself.

 Week 3

Monday   Classic ski at Happy Jack    Shed open before school

Tuesday   Classic Ski at Happy Jack Shed open before school

Wednesday   Classic Ski at Happy Jack   Ski the racecourse

Thursday   Classic Ski at Happy Jack   Ski the racecourse

Friday   Ski prep day at LMS   All racers are required to be here.  Leave when skis are done

Saturday   Laramie Invite  Classic  Happy Jack   Start 12noon

 

Here is to one week on snow and some good practices.  Who would have predicted this crazy weather ad closed roads and all. 

We have a busy week ahead of us.  Practices and our first meet, The Laramie Invite.  Please watch for info specific to the Invite in another mailing. 

I have had some interesting conversations with some of our ski team members this past week.  Some say they do not want to race this race because it is a Classic (Non-Skating event).  I understand having a preference in techniques etc.  If your skier has a desire to Nordic Ski in high school, there is no choice.  A high school meet has both skating and classic involved and skiers have to be able to do both.  It is the Middle School season where we learn both skills. With that said I hope all skiers will decide to give this race a try. There are distances for both experienced and novice skiers.  Skiers with only skate skis will be waxed for classic skiing.  And expected to use the classic technique.  Skating in a Classic Race is disqualification.

Parents- we still have space for you to help with our meet.  

A note from Transportation- starting this Monday -masks or face coverings will be required while riding an activity  or sport bus. All skiers will need a mask while on the bus to and from practice.  Please plan according and put a mask in with your ski gear. 

Attached is an order blank for scout Nordic T-shirts and beanies, the date on the order blank says due the  10th but we are extending this to next Friday the 14th.  These shirts run large.  

 

There are a select pairs of LMS Lightning tights left.  They are 35$  sizes Adult Sm and Adult Med. 

First come first serve. Checks to Fancy Pant. Let Coach Hamann know if you want a pair.