University of Denver Nordic Ski Team Prepare on Causeway

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A cool fall day in Washington Park is the perfect place for a winter sports team to prepare for the off-season.

DENVER – A cool fall day in the middle of one of Denver’s largest city parks isn’t exactly where you’d imagine finding a collegiate ski team doing a few laps before the season, but for the team. Nordic University of Denver, a lack of snow is not a reason to hang up the poles.

“We’re here on an incredible fall day. The leaves are just starting to change here – still a little green here in Denver – but it’s a lovely cool morning for us to have a good quality workout here and a few. final preparations before the snow starts to fall and we hit the slopes this winter, ”said Rogan Brown.

Brown is in his first season at the helm of the DU Nordic team, having spent two previous seasons as an assistant coach.

His team can be seen doing laps around the 2.2 mile road loop, using roller skis and poles.

“We were here in Wash Park doing what we call ‘two pole intervals’, which is roller skiing where we only repeat one pole movement. It’s a little faster than if we were on snow because there is more friction with the snow and we are on wheels, but that translates pretty well, I would say, ”said senior Gracie Shanley.

While the team may receive a few weird stares from passers-by and the occasional bark from a nearby dog, Brown insists it’s the best way to stay in shape when competing.

“In this sport, the skiers are really good in summer and fall, because after winter there you really want hay in the barn, so to speak and the preparation to lean on during the racing season” , did he declare. . “It pretty much simulates our sport, minus the surface. Just that repetitive motion, and that muscle memory systematically fits into the fitness we’re trying to achieve next winter.”

Many of these memories have been carved into the muscles of these athletes for about a decade, especially those who live and compete at altitude throughout their lives.

“I really started doing a lot of competitions in my freshman year of high school,” said Nick Sweeney, senior. “And for me, I thought I wanted to ride a bike but being from Aspen it’s so snowy all the time and just a great opportunity to ski as much as possible.”

Sweeney won the 2016 CHSAA Boys’ Nordic individual title with Aspen High School. His current teammate, Shanley, competed for the Vail club team during the same years.

“I would say we have a huge advantage on the pitch,” she said. “I’ve been taking these classes in Colorado since I was in fifth grade and I know a lot of other team members have done that too. It’s super special to keep doing this. It’s like we can show people from foreign countries how great Colorado is and be proud to know it’s our own home state. “

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