Cat Country: Big Cat NCAA's edition

We have now been in beautiful Bozeman, Montana for five days and have seen three days of significant snow fall, with the rest being your picturesque 50 degree sunny day in Big Sky Country. It's gorgeous. The skiing has been amazing with all the fresh snow so we at least have perfect conditions to look forward to on the challenging course. We stayed at the Mogk's house for the first few days, which was a great way to settle in and we especially enjoyed playing with their dog, Bridger. On Saturday we moved into the Holiday Inn where we will spend the rest of the week. Joining us here are UNH and Williams, as well as a few alpine teams. Saturday we also did some intensity to see how going hard feels at altitude—it was a lot different but every day we seem to adjust better and better. Sunday we went for a nice easy classic off of the race course and it was some of the nicest skiing some of us have ever experienced, especially (those of us from Vermont) because it was 45 degrees and we were skiing on zeros or hardwax! On Monday some of us went for an easy ski while others lounged, and we all reconvened in the afternoon for some shopping on Main Street. Jordan (unsuccessfully) searched Bozeman high and low for cowboy boots, while Beth scored big on an oldschool one-piece Bogner ski suit. We finished the day with some Bates team bonding at Johnny Carino's for dinner with the Alpine crew. We are looking forward to some sweet racing tomorrow. For all of us it will be our NCAA Championship debut so we look forward to setting the tone for the week with some solid results in the skate race.

For live coverage of the weeks races follow this link:

http://www.ncaa.com/liveschedule

P.S. We will be posting pictures this afternoon.

TRIPLE TREAT: PART DEUX

I met Evan Dion on my first day at Bates. He stood with me in our dorm in an awkward meet-n-greet circle. I didn’t know Evan was a skier, nor did I care that his favorite ice cream was chocolate chip cookie dough. At that time he was just one more person I met that day; but soon Evan was more than that, he became a teammate and a friend.

Evan comes from far west in Truckee California. Rocking the Cali bro tank, some might say he’s the stereotypical California dreamboat. But those who know him well will tell you that although he does have a strapping beach body he spends his time away from the ocean and on his skis till the snow melts. As the brother of senior teammate Kelsey Dion; Evan had a great name to live up to. However, he took his college experience in stride and has no doubt made a name for himself at Bates and on the team.

One could describe him as Renaissance man, because he’s so talented. First of all, he’s brilliant; you don’t even have to talk to him to know that, the curly Einstein like fro gives it away immediately. Evan’s DJ skills will be bobcat legend; he transforms commons from a place of eating to a place of dance, laughter and excitement. Although I was not present, it has been rumored that a group of students where sited dancing on chairs and tables they where so moved by his tracks. Evan rips through class 5 rapids on his kayak like nothing else and sets new standards; scootering around our dorm and campus and singing angelically for all to hear. The freshman girls refer to him as “h-evan” and describe him as “charming.” Guys will tell you his chill to pull ratio is off the charts. Even with skiing and work Evan still finds time to ride bicycles for two and volunteer for the police department, arresting roller skiers who fail to follow safety laws.

We are all so happy to have Evan as part of the team and are looking forward to a great four years with him.

TRIPLE TREAT: Part I

This is the first of a three part series introducing the three newest additions to the men’s Nordic team: Connor Regan, Evan Dion and Nick Michaud.

Connor “Condor” Regan/ “Casual Condor”

When the sun rises over Mount David, and beams of light illuminate room 234 of 280 Hall, wakes a man. Rolling out of bed, Connor Regan completes his usual morning routine of 100 “casual” push-ups and squat thrusts. After gargling pure gasoline, the Condor slides a classy cashmere “cut-off” sweater over his burly build and heads out the door to begin his day.

Connor did not come of age like most kids. Hailing from Cumberland, Maine, nearly all hours of his days were spent in the forested region behind his home. Taking down trees, moving 400-pound rocks, and chasing rabbits and creatures alike, barefoot, became a part of Connor’s lifestyle. Separating himself from Lennie in “Of Mice and Men”, he always let the unharmed animals run free upon their capture.

No animal has ever outrun Connor. He proved this at the annual Rangeley training camp, as a pack of furious Bobcats chased him up Saddleback Mountain. Snatching the overall victory, Connor shook all his competitors’ hands displaying his “Trident-white” smile and never-before-seen level of sportsmanship. Due to Connor’s noble work ethic and innate ability to suffer copious amounts of pain, no animal ever will outrun him.

Connor is not just a titan in the world of athletics and manliness. Since his early days, he has been an academic all-star, a chivalrous companion for many lucky ladies, an outstanding family member, and a leader in the community. Some of Connor’s hobbies illustrate a more sensitive side: poetry, holding doors open for strangers, succeeding, helping elderly ladies carry groceries, and saving animals lives. Connor also has a musical gift. Teammates have described his voice as “a mixture between Fergie and Jesus,” having “the ability to make hairs stand on end,” and “wow”. A well-rounded and exceptional man, Connor’s desirable qualities are boundless.

In just a few weeks with Condor, Bates students and members of the Nordic team have been nothing short of impressed. His presence has been inspiring and uplifting. We are extremely excited to have Connor join the Bobcat squad.