Hey everybody! Here’s an extremely late, not very serious
blog about NCAAs, starting off with this Hot Take: NCAAs is…kind of boring. I
mean, I’m sure it’s a lot more stressful if you’re trying to win/be on the
podium, but I’d already taken my shot to get there. I was just trying to learn
everything I could and do my best. With that in mind, here’s some things I
learned from spending a week in Stowe.
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| Cruising with a stellar view! |
·
DO: Bring books! Because your head coach might
spring the fact that where you’re staying doesn’t have Wi-Fi on you and your
assistant coach once you’re already there. I think I read 8.
·
DO: Follow the local crew. I (and the rest of
the Eastern gang) used the lodge, because that’s what we do during a carnival
there. The Western and Central kids used the tent the NCAA set up. No, thanks,
I enjoy indoor plumbing.
·
DON’T: Chug the whole feed bottle, even if
you’re thirsty. You will wanna barf
during your next lap. Oops.
·
DON’T: Pay attention to the announcer. I’m used
to them being behind, but Bib 3 going out being announced before Bib 1 actually
started was a little scary.
·
DON’T: Take advantage of the NCAA paying to feed
you. Live off of PB&J sandwiches for the week. (This is…maybe just a me
thing, actually.)
·
DO: Take advantage of your parents being willing
to buy you an overpriced T-shirt. Gotta have that swag. How else will people
know to be in awe of your speed, if not for a commemorative shirt?
·
DO: Keep your races in perspective! One day
doesn’t define your season. Unless you have your best race of the season. Then it
totally does.
·
DON’T: Complain about Europeans taking over NCAA
Alpine racing at the banquet, then find out that 2 of your tablemates are
Norwegian. (Thankfully NOT saying this from personal experience!)
·
DO: Catch up on that good ol’ college sleep
debt. It’s a lot easier to have a 9:45 bedtime when you’re not at school.
·
DO: Eat a ton of homemade French Fries after the
races are over. Thanks to the Kulis family!
·
DON’T: Get the truck stuck in the Kulis’
driveway at 9 pm, so badly that it takes 45 minutes, at least 8 people, and a
tractor to get out. “We can definitely do a three-point turn to get out of
here.” – Kyle Curry (Spoiler alert: We definitely
could not.)
and
finally DO: Miss your teammates. Kinda sappy, yeah, but you will. It’s a grind
of a season, and you get through it by leaning on each other. It’s pretty
strange to be at the biggest race of the season without having them there,
ready to race with you.-Jackie
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| All smiles (real question is was it before or after finding out ETown booked a condo with no internet?) |
You have no idea how happy it makes me to post this blog. This team and Jackie have been working to go back to NCAAs for a long time, and this year she crushed it to represent all of us so well on the biggest college stage!
-Lucy
Women's 5k Skate Results
Women's 15k Classic Results
