Main photo: (clockwise from bottom left) Emmett Shalla, coach Holly Strickland, Claire Parsons, Sam Parsons, Braunwyn Strickland, Matthew Shalla, Theo Briand, Ryker Harris, and Austin Dumont. Not in photo: Corbin Wendell, Jayden Brake, and coach Jon Strickland).
Submitted by Arrowhead Nordic Race Crew
It’s been one year, 10 months, and 14 days since Arrowhead Nordic’s Race Crew (ARC) competed at a ski race, but that hasn’t stopped them from training.
“Like so many other organizations we’ve had to learn, grow, and pivot,” said coach Jon Strickland. “But the athletes we have are dedicated to training, and being active and they have kept the momentum going.”
The team started training in mid-September. They train three to four times a week, outdoors, in all conditions. The season was looking so promising in September, but with the lack of snow and the increase in COVID cases, all the events in December and early January were postponed or cancelled. Then, on the morning of January 14, Mono Nordic opened 100 spots for their invitational skate-style race.
“It was a race just to get those spots,” said coach Jon. “Coach Holly camped out on the website like a superfan trying to get tickets to see her favourite team!”
Eleven ARC athletes and one Jackrabbit made up the contingent who attended the Mono Nordic ski race on Jan 22. It was a great day! Spirits were high; athletes wore huge smiles, coaches had renewed purpose and parents rang those long-forgotten cowbells.
“Everyone made it to the finish line on time and all finished with smiles and good vibes,” said coach Holly Strickland. “We couldn’t be more proud.”
Many of the athletes had top 10 finishes and almost all finished in the top half of their category.
“The course was definitely challenging,” said coach Jon. “It had a lot of hills and the course was narrow in sections. Our athletes had to work very hard and be strategic in passing other racers.”
The athletes were especially grateful to have the opportunity to race again.
“Today I had the chance to compete in my first ski race in almost two years. It has been a long time, and I was nervous for the race, but we have been training hard and I feel like it really paid off. I am grateful to my coaches, Jon and Holly, for all the fun I was able to have as well as the endless support and encouragement they have provided over the last few years,” said Sam Parsons, a three-year veteran of the ARC program.
“It was cold, challenging, and a whole lot of fun,” said rookie member, Ryker Harris. This was Ryker’s first club-level ski race, but he’s no stranger to racing as he competes in slalom kayaking and uses Nordic skiing as a cross-training sport.
The team travels to Parry Sound on Saturday, February 5 for the Sounder. It will be a classic-style event, yet another first for many of the athletes.
Results from Mono Nordic’s skate-style invitational
U14 girls
- Braunwyn Strickland 5th in division, 3rd in year category
- Claire Parsons 11th in division, 7th in year category
U14 boys
- James Laughton 5th in division, 2nd in year category
- Sam Parsons 9th in division, 5th in year category
- Emmett Shalla 15th in division, 6th in year category
- Theo Briand 20th in division, 8th in year category
- Austin Dumont 21st in division, 13th in year category
- Jayden Brake 23rd in division, 14th in year category
- Ryker Harris 24th in division, 9th in year category
U16 boys
- Matthew Shalla 9th in division, 6th in year category
U18 boys
- Corbin Wendell 6th in division, 2nd in year category
Other U10 boy
- Gryffin Harris 1st in division, 1st in year category
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