Bates Nordic Skiing: The Team That Was a Family

School and training are now in full swing here in western Maine and the past few weeks have been filled with hard work, euphoria, foliage, and family. Veteran members of the Bates Nordic Ski Team gathered last week to solidify our ideas of what it means to be members of the Nordic team. We dispersed into groups to brainstorm and develop lists of words. After converging, it was no surprise, although magical, that every group listed the word ‘Family.’

Our immediate family

In the past weeks members of the team have been mindful of this and more cognizant of the positive and productive atmosphere we have constructed. Like a family, we have been attacking our tasks in full force. We began with a week of testing including a 3000m track test, a 15k classic time trial, and an endurance strength test. Some smashed personal records while others may have faced disapointment, but at the end of the week we had each other to tell tales of feat, or be there with positive support.

Girls attacking a hill in Auburn

Seanie attacking MATH

As brothers, we took a short vacation in Acadia consisting of sailing, 'SUP'ing, card games, an extensive hide and seek game, and lobster by the beach.

Brothers finding bliss in Acadia

The girls group is really large this year and with numbers comes competition. Expect big things from these ladies.

Lots of sisters on Crocker Mountain

Two of our sisters, Andrea and Gabby, have been running cross country this fall and have already been pushing each other to compete with Bobcat Pride. Andrea and Gabby have been setting personal records.