Boys’ Nordic Skiing Preparing for a Strong Winter
The Mt. Greylock Boys Nordic team, an army of more than fifty student athletes spanning six grades and all levels of ability, is optimistic about a successful season. They are the favorites to win States this year, so practices have a feeling of excitement and the boys are willing to work hard. Even without snow, the team roller skis, runs, and completes circuits to prepare for when the colder weather arrives. Junior Cameron Castonguay reports, “It’s frustrating to not have snow and to basically undergo a harder season of cross country running. But if we get snow, we could have a pretty good team.”
The boys have won the past five state championships, and so their expectations are high going into this season. However, the team graduated six of their top skiers, and so they must rely on younger boys to step up and take the place of the older skiers ahead of them. Many of the boys spent their summer training for the ski season with the Berkshire Nordic Ski Club, running, roller skiing, and improving their overall fitness. Although the team is bummed about the lack of snow this December, in the words of senior Ian Culnane, the “season is going to be great. If there is snow.”