April Nordic Newsletter
And just like that...the JHSC 2024-25 Ski Season is a wrap! We had another fantastic year with standout results, fantastic conditions at Trail Creek, and tons of fun at practice from all the age groups. We are so lucky to have such a supportive nordic community that helps people of all ages and abilities get outside and have fun on skis! Here are some highlights from the Nordic Program's big winter, one of the best in history:
220 athletes enrolled
Endless fun on skis through leprechaun hunts, donut relays, adventure skis, BB gun biathlon, valentines day relays, scavenger hunts, snowmobile tows on the NordicX, building jumps, playing games, and just being in the natural solitude of Trail Creek!
2 athletes to U18 Scandinavian Cup trip
1 athlete & 1 alum to World Junior Nordic SKi Championships
13 athletes qualified to Junior National Championships
8 Individual or Relay National Championships won at Junior Nationals
1st place in IMD Youth Champs (U14 and under)
Won the Alaska Cup with Intermountain (award for best division at Junior Nationals)
7 FIS race days hosted
2 Community Race days
THANK YOU TO ALL THE COACHES, PARENTS, ATHLETES, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY FOR ANOTHER FANTASTIC YEAR!!!
Featured Athlete: Abby Murphy
If you’ve been following results from IMD racing over the years, one of the names that has been at the top of the list many times is Abby Murphy. She’s been a great member of the JHSC Nordic program for many years, and is moving on to ski for St. Laurence University next year after she graduates from high school. She has kindly agreed to be our featured athlete this month.
Do you remember when you started skiing?
I don't exactly remember the first time I started skiing because I was super young. My parents have pictures of me on Nordic skis before I even turned 2 years old.
At what age did you start skiing with the Jackson Hole Ski Club program?
I started skiing with the JHSC Nordic program when I was in kindergarten and have been since then.
What school do you go to and what grade are you in now?
I go to Jackson Hole High School, and I am a senior.
Your dad has been a coach for many years at JHSC, was he ever your coach and if so, what was that like?
Yes, he was my coach for 3 or 4 years, which I really enjoyed. I was able to make suggestions about what we did at practice and give him feedback on what we enjoyed and didn't enjoy. Having him as my coach was really fun when I was young, but we both knew that as I got more serious, the separation between parent and coach was necessary, and now he is just my biggest supporter. I couldn't be more grateful for all that he has done for me, especially in Nordic.
Do you still ski with your dad?
Sometimes, with my practices being almost every day, by the time we get to the weekend, I am too tired to ski anymore. But my best memory skiing with him was last year when we went to Norway and got to ski all around in a new country.
Are you faster than your dad?
Depends on what race, in a 10k definitely, but in his 55k I don't think I could even finish, let alone beat him.
What were your Nordic goals for this year and did you make your goals?
My goals were to ski in college, make nationals, and hopefully get a top 10 or 20 while I was there. I was able to accomplish all of these goals.
What has been the high point of your year so far?
My high point of this year has probably been committing to college and my relay team winning at nationals.
Congratulations on making it to Nationals this year, how many times have you gone?
Thank you, I have gone 3 times now. Once in Fairbanks, AK, once in Lake Placid, NY and this year in Soldier Hollow, UT.
What are your college and career plans after high school?
Next year, I am going to St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. I am going to Nordic ski there and major in Biology/Pre-Med. My goal after college is to do something in the medical field, so most likely more school.
Are you planning on participating in Nordic skiing or other athletics in college?
Yes, I will be on the Nordic ski team at St. Lawrence.
What is your favorite memory of skiing for JHSC or at Trail Creek?
My favorite memory with JHSC is Bend camp every year. We get to go for a week and train, play games, and even go to the beach. My favorite trail creek memories are our fun days at the end of every year, we get to do laps on the X-course, and even do doughnut relays.
What has been the biggest challenge of your Nordic skiing experiences so far?
The biggest challenge has been staying motivated, even when I don't reach my goals. It can be really hard to keep trying and training when you don't feel like it's helping, but you just have to trust Will and Luna and keep going. That's what I have done, and it always works for me.
In a decade from now do you see yourself living in a place where you can Nordic ski?
Yes, definitely. I would love to keep skiing for my whole life, and I don't know how I could live in a place where I couldn't do that.
Any other thoughts you would like to share with the Nordic community?
Just that this community is one of the most supportive communities ever, and I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of it for so long. And that I get to continue to do so in college.
Thanks so much Abby, hopefully success will follow you in the years ahead, best wishes for college, and many years of great Nordic skiing!
International Spring Series
International Spring Series had a phenomenal showing with clubs from all over joining us at Trail Creek to race hard & enjoy the wonderful trails. University of Denver, University of Colorado, a few Canadian skiers, Steamboat Springs, Vail, Montana Endurance Academy, Missoula, Casper and more represented throughout the 4 day race series. The snow held up fantastically even giving us some fresh inches throughout the week. Spring Series is always a fun, end of the year event that reignites the stoke for summer training!
Teewinot Update
Here is a look back on the Teewinot team in March:
We did a lot of fun activities like donut relays, BB gun biathlon, scavenger hunts, a leprechaun hunt for St. Patrick's day, and even snowmobile towing on Nordic X. Teewinots wore their best costumes. Some also participated in the Intermountain Youth Champs at Mike Harris. Most importantly, I saw a lot of friendships develop even more over the season between teammates. Nordic skiing is a fabulous way to get to know each other.
Thanks for another Nordic season!
Kirsys Campbell
T/Th Teewinot Head Coach
Bend Camp & Summer Events
We are looking ahead to another big season of training already just as this season wraps up. Here are some dates to pencil in your calendars for the upcoming year:
Bend Camp: May 17-25
This is our annual trip to get on quality snow in Bend, Oregon at Mt. Bachelor! This is a great trip for Prep/Comp athletes to kickstart the summer training season and bond as a team ahead of the summer. This is an annual excursion where we put in tons of good technique work, have fun, get our feet back underneath us, and go surfing at the beach in Pacific City!
Junior U15 Summer Camp: July 14-18
This is a new opportunity for middle schoolers and first year athletes new to the Prep Team to get some focused training with George Cartwright, the Junior Head Coach. We will do an intro to rollerskiing, go on some adventures in the mountains, work on strength training, and bond as a team! This is going to be a great time with friends and really kickstart the summer training season for our younger athletes!
