Main photo: The Arrowhead Race Crew (back from left) coach Holly Strickland, Jayden Brake, Matthew Shalla, Ryker Harris, Emmett Shalla, Braunwyn Strickland, Sam Parsons, Claire Parsons; (front from left) coach Jon Strickland and Track Attack skier Gryffin Harris (supplied)
Submitted by the Arrowhead Race Crew
It was a blustery day, but the sun came out mid-morning and the temperature was a balmy -3C for the Mountainview cross-country ski race on Sunday, February 27 and Arrowhead Nordic’s Race Crew was all smiles for the event.
The course itself was technically challenging and included many ski-cross-like features, such as rollers, a kicker, and a massive banked turn called the Talladega berm. The race format saw racers go off one at a time every 30 seconds.
“One of the best things about working with this group of young athletes is their sportsmanship. It goes way beyond cheering for their teammates and extends to the ski community at large,” says coach Jon Strickland.
This was demonstrated in spades when senior team member, Matthew Shalla, stopped during his race to help a member of the public who had fallen on the trail and had broken a pole.
“I came around a corner and I saw that a man had fallen on the hill. I stopped to see if he was okay and noticed that he had broken a pole. I thought about giving him one of mine, but I figured because I was racing it wouldn’t be the best idea.” It was an exemplary example of sportsmanship and Matthew still managed to come in 5th place.
Braunwyn Strickland too was overheard congratulating a fellow racer while she laid on the ground panting after sprinting to the finish line. “These gestures are noticed,” commented coach Holly Strickland, “by parents, by other coaches, and by the officials. It makes us really proud and even better, it’s initiated by the athletes themselves, not us as coaches.”
The crew has their sights set on two events in the weeks to come: Ontario Cup #5 and the Ontario Youth Championships. No doubt they will approach these events like they do the others—with positive energy and enthusiasm!
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