Team Video

First of a series:

More Photos from West Yellowstone

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.

- Helen Keller

West Yellowstone

Thanksgiving break for many cross country skiers marks a trip to snow each year.  The lucky skier may be able to find snow near their home but many board an airplane or endure a very long road trip.  Three student-athletes on the Presque Isle Ski Team joined Maine Winter Sports Center coach Gary Colliander for nine days of ski and biathlon training in West Yellowstone, Montana. 

Warm Up at Sunrise

Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Life in Presque Isle

If you are a recruit or supporter of Presque Isle Skiing and wonder what life is like for a Nordic Skier in Northern Maine then you should read a little bit about the experiences of University of Maine at Presque Isle skier Bjorn Bakken.

If you are an accomplished racer, entering college and looking for a training group that can push you year round when you are outside of the NCAA training window then consider the possibilities of Northern Maine. 

If you are a developing skier and interested in a focused training group that meets year round with consistent professional coaching at no financial cost then check out what skiing can do for you. 

If you are a biathlete looking to continue your development while in college then you should consider that Northern Maine has two world class biathlon venue and full time biathlon coaches happy to work with you at no financial cost. 

If you are a skier or biathlete entering college next fall and have not yet applied to the University of Maine at Presque then click here for the application process. 

In the Next Seven Weeks

Today is the last Saturday in November and skiers around the globe are looking ahead to the next four months of racing, travel and adventure.  Some have stood on the start line, some still have not seen snow but all are getting the final pieces together.  Last minute ajustments are happening now, there is still time to get the most out of the season.  For the ski racer at Presque Isle, collegiate racing begins in seven weeks and there are many things to do:

In the Next 7 Weeks

• Chummy Broomhall Cup
• Finals in 3 weeks
• Biathlon World Junior Trials in 4 1/2 weeks for Brandan and Meagan
• Four Time Trials
• Holiday Break
• 14 Specific Strength Workouts
• A bunch of assisgments in the next 3 Weeks
• Listen to Motivational Speaker Pauliina Miettinen (NCAA Women’s Soccer Coach for FSU and former Finnish Natioanal Team Member)
• Finish Holiday Shopping
• Two Sprint Workouts
• Over seventy hours of training
• Think Snow
• Sleep About 500 Hours
• Spend time with Family
• Wax Skis
• Look Forward to Another Ski Season
• Oh yea, it’s snowing in Presque Isle

Tuesdays in Presque Isle

The ski team meets six days a week for training.  We improve as a team on the trails of Nordic Heritage, find inspiration on the top of mountains in Northern Maine and cultivate determination in the weight room of Gentile Hall.  We are a team of individuals who are working to be the best we can in all parts of our lives.  We give back to the community that has given us opportunity because we understand we need to support the potential of others who want to improve.  We enjoy the rewards of our lifestyle because fitness is a gift, a strong work ethic is a gift and our opportunity in this time and place is a gift that pays the greatest rewards.  The personal satisfaction of having no regrets, knowing you have worked very hard to do everything you can to be the best you can while helping others to do the same.  The ski team has no regrets seven days a week.

Chandra at 7:45 am on Tuesday - The South Peak at Aroostook State Park

 

Assistant Nordic Ski Coach

 This is an outstanding opportunity for someone looking to be a part of one of the most exciting Nordic skiing communities in North America

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is accepting applications for the position of Division I Assistant Nordic Ski Coach. This is a part-time, four-month appointment. Responsibilities include: recruiting quality student-athletes; assisting in the training of athletes for successful competition; supporting the academic success of the student-athletes; undertaking public relations and promotional activities appropriate to the position and carrying out other related duties.

Candidates will be expected and have the opportunity to work in cooperation with the coaches of the Maine Winter Sports Center.  Many of the University skiing student-athletes also work with the coaches and teams of the MWSC on a weekly basis.  In addition, there are numerous occasions to be involved with a highly engaged local community that embraces cross-country skiing and its associated lifestyle.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle has started a Cross Country Ski Coaching degree program.  In association with this program there are many opportunities to gain exposure to the academic and science pieces of coaching.  These include testing with lactate and VO2 Max in the field (only lactate) and on the over-sized treadmill at the University. 

This is a stipend position and also offers the opportunity for room, board and tuition waiver at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Review of applications will begin immediately. Applications accepted until position is filled. Preferred starting date is January 8, 2007. Send letter of interest, resume, names, addresses and phone number and email of three professional references to: Kris Cheney Seymour, Head Nordic Ski Coach, University of Maine at Presque Isle, 181 Main Street, Presque Isle, Maine, 04769 or e-mail to krist.seymour@maine.edu.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

A New Look

The Ski Team at the University of Maine at Presque Isle is pleased to release it’s re-designed logo developed in partnership with Betsey Shepard Design of Yarmouth, Maine.   The new design will be used in all team uniforming used for training, competition and volunteer activities.  Specific items with the new design will available to the public at select retailers. 

Development and Education

Quality workouts, commitment to academics, recovery from training, completing workstudy hours and making sure every opportunity is used.  It is a balance of time and priorities which demands the individual to be professional and focused.  Brandan and Bjorn get in a final intensity workout during lunch time before they pack for West Yellowstone.

Student-Athlete Testing

The University of Maine at Presque Isle Ski Team has wrapped up a major training block and finished with specific testing, including lactate work on the oversized treadmill.  The focus was two fold: first we were looking to see how individuals have responded to training over the last 3 months and second we were establishing threshold values for the next phase of training.  These values have helped inform the direction of training for individuals and make pieces of goal setting very specific.

Student-Coach Education

The University of Maine at Presque Isle has invested over $5 million into a new physical education complex, physiology lab and health facilities.  The exercise physiology lab has begun the active testing of athletes from both the University Ski Team and the Maine Winter Sport Center.  This lab is however not only for testing, it’s for learning.

Professor Sue Beaudet is now sharing her expertise and experience with students in the Cross Country Ski Coaching program.  These aspiring coaches have the opportunity to not only be tested as athletes but put themselves into the shoes of a coach.  They are able to experience how a coach works with a physiologist to develop and execute protocols for testing and how results can be used as a tool for feedback, evaluation, goal setting and  planning.

Aaron has his turn on the treadmill while Brandan watches the heartrate change with the increase in treadmill grade.  (this photo is at 15% and 5 mph)

Aaron get a chance recording HR, grade, speed and times as Dr. Beaudet controls the treadmill.

Brandan gets a shot at the treadmill while Hannah keeps an eye on his heart rate.

Later this week the student-coaches will have another session on the treadmill.  They will be taking lactates and learning how to run a protocol to find an athletes threshold. 

Presque Isle Skiing Is (part 2)…….

We have had a few hard days and this morning we had some recovery fun playing Capture the Weight Ball.

Presque Isle Skiing is…..

Presque Isle Skiing is professional, focused and supports the aspirations of every individual and is doing it as a team.  We train in and enjoy one of the most supportive environments on the planet.  Presque Isle Skiing believes in working hard for excellence in self, team and the community of healthy lifestyles.

 

Freestyle Time Trial with Bowdoin College

On Saturday four Presque Isle Skiers joined Head Coach Kris Cheney Seymour for a trip to southern Maine to time trial with the skiers from Bowdoin College. They met for an early start just a few miles from the Bowdoin campus and skated the 9km course.
Women:
1. Meg Toussaint (Presque Isle) 27:22
2. Hannah Shepard (Presque Isle) 29:42
3. Leah Ricci (Bowdoin) 29:57
4. Maresa Nielson (Bowdoin) 32:30
5. Krysia Crabtree (Bowdoin) 33:07

Men:
1. Brandan Ostroot (Presque Isle) 21:12
2. Walt Shepard (Bowdoin) 21:15
3. Bjorn Bakken (Presque Isle) 21:32
4. Tom Cook (Bowdoin) 22:39
5. Niko Kubota (Bowdoin) 23:27
6. Nick Crawford (Bowdoin) 23:39
7. Matt Bowers (Bowdoin) 24:07
8. Nate Underwood (Bowdoin) 25:12
9. Nat Herz (Bowdoin) 26:19
10. Jeff Bush (Bowdoin) 27:12

Presque Isle Skiing joins the Chummy Broomhall Cup

Rumford, Maine — November 3, 2006   On Friday afternoon, Governor John Baldacci announced the first annual Maine Collegiate Nordic Ski Championships to be held January 13 — 14, 2007 at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. The event, put together by the Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) and called the Chummy Broomhall Cup, is named in honor of Rumford native, 10th Mountain Division veteran, two-time Olympian and the head of the Chisholm Ski Club, (one of the nations oldest and most active ski clubs), Wendall “Chummy” Broomhall.

“The importance of physical activity at all ages for a healthy lifestyle cannot be overstated.” said Governor Baldacci. “I am proud that the Maine Winter Sports Center continues to encourage physical activity among high school and college aged students — and is naming this event after a man who is undoubtedly one of the best and most active skiers to come from Maine, Chummy Broomhall.”

The Championship will be a two-day event and bring all of Maine’s college ski teams to compete for the Cup. “Maine colleges have a long and proud tradition of skiing.” said Andy Shepard, President of the Maine Winter Sports Center. “We are hoping that this event will add to that tradition.” “We are also hoping this initiative will help give the most talented student/athletes in the Country another reason to look at colleges in Maine.”

Among those participating in the championships will be teams from the Maine campuses of Presque Isle, Fort Kent, Orono and Farmington as well as Colby, Bates and Bowdoin. The top three skiers from each college will be scored in both the men’s and women’s races with the winning team having the highest overall score for the two days. The winning team will be able to display the Chummy Broomhall Cup on their campus for the following year.

Technique and Fitness

The Presque Isle Women’s Ski Team are developing specific technical skills with ski walking and light bounding in the morning practice.  In addition, thay are working on focus, professionalism, excellance in all parts of their lives and fitness.  This afternoon they will be roller skiing at the Nordic Heritage Center for an hour and a half with over race pace speeds and focusing on technical elements from the morning.

Bringing it all together

Technical skills and power application were the focus of morning training for the Men’s Team.  Progressions started with basic movement and timing for all skiing techniques and finished with bounding and power in movements.