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Tag: National J2 Talent Camp

  • USSA National J2 Talent Camp Starts Saturday in Craftsbury

    USSA National J2 Talent Camp Aug 4 – 11 Agenda

    (National Nordic Foundation press release)

    The 3rd annual National J2 Talent Camp is set to kick off Saturday, August 4 in Vermont at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center. The camp will provide a great opportunity for many of the nation’s top 14-15 year old nordic racers listed here (who qualified on results from the 2012 USSA Junior Cross Country Ski Championships) to train together, and learn from USST staff and top club coaches. The collaboration from regional coaches along with substantial support from USSA, and $4500 in support from the National Nordic Foundation (NNF) enabled this camp to continue and to grow. NNF’s strategic investment offsets many camp costs and ensures some of the top coaches listed here in the country will be guiding these young athletes. In addition to the J2 training camp there will be a USSA L100/NENSA L1 coaches clinic on Friday August 10th at the Outdoor Center. Coaches interested in participating should contact Janice Sibilia at janice@nensa.net.

     

    Weekly Agenda: Athletes will have an opportunity to try out some of the same workouts that the Eastern REG campers recently participated in, such as the strength assessment, rollerski agility and uphill run.

     

    Date                                   AM Workout                                    PM Workout                                    Evening

    Saturday Aug 4th            Athletes arrive                                    Easy run & stretch                        Camp overview

    Sunday Aug 5th               CL DP (Closed road).                   Strength Assessment                        Presentation

    Monday Aug 6th              Elmore Hill Climb                      Skate Rollerski (E. Albany)               Presentation

    Tuesday Aug 7th               CL R Ski Speeds (Jericho)           Skate rollerski (Jericho)                 Presentation

    Wednesday Aug 8th        Hillbounding/Spenst                         Easy recovery                                 Presentation

    Thursday Aug 9th              SK RSki- agility (Glover)                  Run/Strength                                Presentation

    Friday Aug 10th                  OD- RSki/Run                                    Easy / L100 Clinic                       Camp Wrap up

     

  • Inside the National J2 Talent ID Camp

    Inside the National J2 Talent ID Camp

    Gavin Hess J2 Camp 2011
    Gavin Hess with Mid-Atlantic teammate Maile Sapp. Photo courtesy of Gavin Hess.

    The second annual National J2 Talent ID camp was held the first week of August at 6,000 feet in Sun Valley, Idaho. The top 43 14- and 15-year-olds from around the country descended upon the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) training facilities to learn from both their peers and the top coaches from around the country.

    Gavin Hess, a Pittsford, NY native, qualified to attend the camp by finishing the week at Junior Nationals this winter as one of the top J2s in the country. In only his first year racing, he notched 10th place finishes in both the freestyle sprint and the 5 k classic mass start, earning him All-American status for both efforts.

    FasterSkier caught up with Hess during a Monday night training session in Mendon, NY with his home club, Rochester Nordic Racing (RNR). In between sets of a strength workout, Hess talked about his experience at the camp, winning a U.S. Ski Team (USST) jacket, and his goals for the season.

    FasterSkier: How did the camp go? Had you been looking forward to going?

    Gavin Hess: I actually didn’t know it existed at first; it was really cool when I found out I made it. I was like, “OK awesome, lets do this!” So I scheduled flights—I figured it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

    FS: You got to work with a lot of the best coaches in the country while you were out there. How did the training throughout the week compare to what you’ve been doing?

    GH: Yeah, we had really, really good coaching. [Camp Director] Rick Kapala from SVSEF was awesome; a really funny, nice guy. There also were a bunch of college interns skiing with us.

    The training was very similar to what I’ve been doing—a lot more strength, but overall pretty similar.  There were way more coaches than I’m used to, and we did more technique drills, with coaches watching and stopping you to help you if needed it.  The coaching was awesome. That’s why I wanted to go, to get technique work in with the best coaches in the country.

    FS: Were you nervous before going at all?

    GH: I’d gotten my wisdom teeth taken out the week before, and didn’t do a lot of training that whole week, so I was worried about my fitness level being an issue. But I don’t think it was. The altitude had a bit of an effect, especially with the testing. I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped, but it was a good learning experience. We talked a lot about altitude, since Junior Nationals are in Soldier Hollow next year at like 5,000 feet.

    FS: You had some pretty tough tests that week.

    GH: Yeah, we did the Canadian Strength Test, which is a minute each of pull-ups, sit-ups, pushups, box jumps and bench dips. They give you a generic score, and they did it at all the REG camps too, so you could compare yourself strength-wise to everyone in the country, which is cool.

    They also did an uphill test up on Harper’s Hill on the trails behind the SVSEF training hut. It’s this notorious uphill running test that a lot of the USST guys have done, so it’s cool to compare yourself to their time.

    FS: Tell me about this competition you won.

    GH: It was a Facebook competition; something to raise awareness for NCCSEF [now the National Nordic Foundation], which funded part of the camp. It just tried spread the word.

    You had to like the foundation’s page to vote for a J2, so we had Jason [Hettenbaugh, RNR Head Coach] and [teammate] Reid Likely going absolutely crazy, spamming all over the place trying to get votes for me. Reid went over the top…but I’m glad he did, because I got a really cool jacket and some wax, which was a cool way to finish off the camp.

    FS: Now that you’re back, what’s the rest of your summer look like, training-wise?

    GH: I’ll just keep training hard. I won’t do as much biking as earlier this summer; in mid-July I finished my bike season so I could focus on skiing. I’m upping my running a lot, as I haven’t done much running in my life, and I think it’s a great way to train.

    FS: What are some of your goals for the upcoming season?

    GH: This season is really about getting experience racing at the national level more, since last year was my first national experience. I’ll go to a lot more Eastern Cups to get experience, and my really big goal is J1 Scando Cup in 2013, so it’s all working towards that.

  • USSA National J2 Talent Camp – Report

    USSA National J2 Talent Camp – Report

    Launched for the first time this summer, 40 of the best J2 boys and girls in the U.S. were invited to take part in a the USSA National J2 Talent Camp. The following is a written report with photos from U.S. Ski Team coach Bryan Fish. Original camp announcement can be found at: http://www.ussa.org/magnoliaPublic/ussa/en/news/crosscountry/J2-camp.htm

    Implementing something new can bring with it plenty of enthusiasm, but also some anxiety. The thought of a National J2 Camp makes a great deal of sense on paper, with athletes at this age (14-15 years old) being in their developmental phase which allows them to adapt into top cross country skiers more rapidly. That being said – there can be a reluctance to want to add the extra travel required to bring athletes from all over the country for a single camp. But any reluctance I might have had was erased at this camp after just three short days here at Michigan Tech University in Houghton, MI where the camp is being held.

    The attentiveness and focus of these athletes as well as the professionalism of the planning and programming has been impressive. The opportunity to get top athletes and coaches together from throughout the country is inspiring and educational for all.

    Each day includes two training sessions with an educational session each night. Every other day also includes an afternoon video analysis. Most of the sessions are ski specific with a great deal of coaching by a highly educated crew of coaches.

    Thanks to the sponsors of this camp which have made this possible. NCCSEF (National Cross Country Ski Education Foundation www.nccsef.org) provided $5k in funding for this camp which greatly helped offset the costs for the attendees. Camp sponsors also include Chums, Beyond Coastal, V2, Toko, NENSA and USSA.

    Camp staff:
    Rick Kapala – Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Head Coach/Director
    Alison Deines – Jackson Hole Ski Team, Head Coach/Director
    Janice Sibilia – New England Nordic Ski Association, Competitive Director
    Josh Smullin – Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Coach
    Bryan Fish – U.S. Ski Team, Continental Cup Coach

    Coaching Interns:

    Daniel Lewis – U. of Wyoming, Laramie / JHSC
    Chase Marston – Middlebury / SMS / SVSEF
    Katie Christoffel – U. of Maine, Presque Isle / NYSEF
    Christina Mischica – Michigan Tech University

    Invited J2 Girls:
    Corey Stock, 15, Cambridge Sports Union, NE
    Heather Mooney, 15, Stratton Mtn School, NE
    Marion Woods, 14, Alaska Winter Stars, AK
    Sloan Storey, 15, Sun Valley Ski Educational Foundation, IM
    Maggie Williams, 14, Sun valley Ski Education Foundation, IM
    Anika Miller, 14, Payette Lakes Ski Team, IM
    Madalyn Pfeifer, 15, Proctor Academy, NE
    Celia Haering, 15, APUNSC, AK
    Hannah Miller, 15, Craftsbury NSC, NE
    Kelsey Phinney, 15, Boulder Nordic, RM
    Tristin Lowe, 15, Team Soldier Hollow, IM
    Stephanie Kirk, 15, Alaska Nordic Racing, AK
    Mary O’Connell, 15, Steamboat Springs WSC, RM
    Rachel Hampton, 15, Durango Nordic, RM
    Heidi Halvorsen, 14, Green Mtn Valley School, NE
    Emily Hannah, 15, Steamboat Springs WSC, RM
    Maranada Stopol, 15, Sun Valley SEF, IM
    Katrin Larusson, 14, Auburn Ski Club, FW
    Lucy Newman, 15, Steamboat Springs WSC, RM
    Nicole Bathe, 14, CXC Jr Development Program, MW
    Mackenzie Hitchcock, 15, Berkshire Nordic Ski Club, MA

    Invited J2 Boys:
    Cole Morgan, 15, Bridger SF, IM
    Patrick Caldwell, 15, Ford Sayre, NE
    John Hegman, 15, Mansfield Nordic, NE
    Eli Hoenig, 15, Cambridge Sports Union, NE
    Aren Burkemo, 15, Team Soldier Hollow, IM
    Matthew Nichols, 15, Knicker Nordic, MW
    Eric Slater, 15, Minneapolis Ski Club, MW
    Marc Jackson, 14, Team Soldier Hollow, IM
    Haakon Sigurslid, 14, Durango Nordic, RM
    Gino Pastore, 15, Durango Nordic, RM
    Austin Hess, 15, Alaska Winter Stars, AK
    Christian Shanley, 15, Ski Club Vail, RM
    John Glen, 15, Alaska Winter Stars, AK
    Max Scrimgeour, 15, Steamboart Springs WSC, RM
    Zachary Lindahl, 15, Sun Valley SEF, IM
    Bridger Dunnagan, 15, Bridger SF, IM
    Jackson Hill, 15, Summit Nordic, RM
    Hamish McEwen, 14, Cambridge Sports Union, NE
    Kyle Hanson, 15, Lathrop HS, AK
    Adam Martin, 15, Knicker Nordic, MW

    Source: USSA

  • National J2 Talent Camp Seeks Coaching Interns

    The inaugural National J2 Talent Camp will be conducted this July 31- August 8, 2010 on the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton Michigan.

    The camp is looking for two college age coaching interns.

    More information on the camp can be found here.

    Download the Coaching Intern Application (MS Word document):

    National J2 Camp Intern App 2010

  • Inaugural National J2 Talent Camp Scheduled for Summer 2010

    The inaugural National J2 Talent Camp will be conducted this July 31- August 8, 2010 on the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton Michigan. The camp will provide a great opportunity for many of the top young cross country skiers in the US to train together, learn from USST staff and top club coaches.

    The camp will be the first step along the US development pipeline for promising young skiers. The location of the camp will rotate around the US to other great training venues, with the camp to be run in the same time slot each summer – the first week of August. Selections were made using a best two of three individual results from Junior Nationals. In addition, each division may petition for the addition of up to 1 boy and 1 girl to camp.

    The National Cross Country Ski Education Foundation has generously committed $5000 in grant support to help underwrite camp expenses so that the cost to the participants is kept as reasonable as possible.

    Dave Knoop, NCCSEF President comments; “ This is exactly the kind of partnership we are trying to support. We recognize the commitment and efforts from the USSA and individual coaches who are all coming to together to provide yet another great development opportunity for young talented skiers. The NCCSEF is working hard to become a key funding organization for creative and long term projects like this camp as well as other National projects such as the Scandinavian Series and World Jr/U23 Champs”

    The deadline for applying is May 21, 2010.  The cost of the camp is $435, and does not include airfare.

    You can download the registration form and invitation letter here (MS Word Documents):

    USSA National J2 Talent Camp Invitation 2010

    National J2 Camp Registration Form 2010

    For more information, please contact Camp Director Rick Kapala at:

    208 720-7981 or via email xcolaf@mindspring.com.

    Staff:

    Rick Kapala, Head Coach Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation

    Rick has been the Head Coach in Sun Valley since 1987. During that time he’s worked with numerous top US skiers and has coached internationally at World Junior/U23 Championships and World Champs and has been coaching at the National level for over 25 years.

    Alison Deines, Head Coach Jackson Hole Ski Team

    After a successful racing career that included NCAA Championships as a member of the University of Colorado program, Ali’s coaching experience includes Winterpark CO, The Sun Valley SEF and currently at the successful Jackson program. She has served as team leader for the Scandinavian Series and also as staff for World Junior Championships.

    Janice Sibilia, Competitive Program Director , New England Nordic Ski Association

    Under Janice’s leadership, NENSA has continued to develop as the leading junior ski racing divisional program in the US. Janice, a former national level cycling competitor in her youth brings a strong background in training and fitness to her role as a coach.

    Josh Smullin, Nordic Coach, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

    Josh has now been with the SSWSC for two years and in that time the program has continued to grow into one of the top

    Junior cross country ski programs in the US. Another former CU Buff, Josh brings a high level of energy and commitment to skiing

    Camp Venue:

    The camp will be based from the campus of Michigan Technological University. Located in Houghton, Michigan. MTU was chosen as the inaugural site because of the excellent dryland training opportuntites, state of the art gym and athletic facilities, convenient and affordable dorm lodging and meals and central location.

    Training Plan:

    The goals of the camp are two fold. Provide camp participants with an excellent week of dryland training with other top US Juniors that serves to help motivate participants in their efforts in sk racing. Addtionally, we will be using the camp to provide participants with up to date information on nutrition and health management, current international ski technique and training planning and execution.

    Eligible J2’s are listed below.

    First Name Last Name Age Affiliation Division Best 2/3
    1 Corey Stock 15 Cambridge Sports Union NE 200
    2 Heather Mooney 15 Stratton Mtn School NE 180
    3 Marion Woods 14 Alaska Winter Stars AK 120
    4 Sloan Storey 15 Sun Valley SEF IM 120
    5 Maggie Williams 14 Sun Valley SEF IM 100
    6 Anika Miller 14 Payette Lakes Ski Team IM 96
    7 Madalyn Pfeifer 15 Proctor Academy NE 90
    8 Celia Haering 15 APUNSC AK 90
    9 Hannah Miller 15 Craftsbury NSC NE 74
    10 Kelsey Phinney 15 Boulder Nordic RM 60
    11 Tristin Lowe 15 Team Soldier Hollow IM 58
    12 Stephanie Kirk 15 Alaska Nordic Racing AK 50
    13 Mary O `Connell 15 Steamboart Springs WSC RM 49
    14 Rachel Hampton 15 Durango Nordic RM 48
    15 Heidi Halvorsen 14 Green Mtn Valley School NE 42
    16 Emily Hannah 15 Steamboart Springs WSC RM 37
    17 Maranda Stopol 15 Sun Valley SEF IM 32
    18 Katrin Larusson 14 Auburn Ski Club FW 31
    19 Lucy Newman 15 Steamboart Springs WSC RM 27
    20 Nicole Bathe 14 CXC JDP MW 27
    1 Cole Morgan 15 Bridger SF IM 200
    2 Patrick Caldwell 15 Ford Sayre NE 145
    3 John (Jack) Hegman 15 Mansfield Nordic NE 130
    4 Eli Hoenig 15 Cambridge Sports Union NE 90
    5 Aren Burkemo 15 Team Soldier Hollow IM 90
    6 Matthew Nichols 15 Knicker Nordic MW 89
    7 Eric Slater 15 Minneapolis Ski Club MW 89
    8 Marc Jackson 14 Team Soldier Hollow IM 82
    9 Haakon Siguslid 14 Durango Nordic RM 70
    10 Gino Pastore 15 Durango Nordic RM 64
    11 Austin Hess 15 Alaska Winter Stars AK 62
    12 Christian Shaney 15 S&SC Vail RM 62
    13 John Glen 15 Alaska Winter Stars AK 56
    14 Max Scrimgeour 15 Steamboart Springs WSC RM 54
    15 Zachary Lindahl 15 Sun Valley SEF IM 50
    16 Bridger Dunnagan 15 Bridger SF IM 48
    17 Jackson HILL 15 Summit Nordic RM 41
    18 Hamish McEwen 14 Cambridge Sports Union NE 40
    19 Kyle Hanson 15 Lathrop HS AK 38
    20 Adam Martin 15 Knicker Nordic MW 29