In coastal Maine, Nordic skiing can be a challenging high school sport. Good snow is often in short supply, so young athletes may spend more time on strengthening and endurance training than on skis. 

Last year, snowfall was meager and many of Boothbay Region High School’s new Nordic skiers got their biggest dose of ski time during races. Non-skiers may not appreciate the courage it takes to go as fast as you can while trying to maintain control and negotiate turns and downhills. But those skinny skis are not easy to master.

Despite the challenges, the BRHS Nordic ski team glides into its third season this year with a larger roster and an eagerness for snow. 

Under the direction of Coach Nick Scott the ski team has blossomed, much like the school’s cross country program. The two teams share many of the same athletes. 

Twenty-two athletes, 16 boys and six girls, will don racing suits and skis this year for BRHS. They have been practicing for two weeks but may not see any snow until their first race day December 15 at the Sugarloaf Center.

The teams have done astonishingly well, considering the lack of ideal training conditions and athletes who are all new to the sport.

“The first year, we were quite successful with both the girls' and boys' teams placing third at the Mountain Valley Conference Championships,” Coach Scott said. 

Last year was a decidedly tougher season and the fledgling teams did not fare as well in championship races. “It was a very low snow winter in which we only got to practice on snow three times at school. Almost every race was held at Black Mountain in Rumford because they were the only facility that made snow for Nordic skiing. 

“It made for a situation that was really difficult for beginners to learn how to ski,” Scott said. 

Those difficulties were compounded by players’ illnesses and Coach Scott’s leave of absence (for the birth of his daughter) during state championship races. 

With the able assistance of assistant coaches Emily Higgins and Liz Derecktor, plus the usual posse of supportive parents, the teams turned in solid performances to finish the season.

Coach Scott is hoping the weather will be more cooperative this year and the team will be able to score well at MVC and state meets. “It won't be easy though as it is a rebuilding year,” he said. 

The boys team has lost three of its four top skiers, with the graduation of Wyatt Anthony, Chase Brown and Tom Brown last June. Other skiers are going to need to fill those boots this year and Scott is expecting good things from the boys' team, particularly from his returning seniors and juniors.

“Robert Campbell really started to come on last year. He was skiing up with the seniors last year and even beating them in some races. It should be fun to follow his progress this year,” Scott said. 

Scott is also expecting solid performances from seniors Alex Owen, Kade Smith, Brady Duncan, Dan Murray and Cameron White and juniors Caleb Colby, Jack Hasch and Benn Scully. At this point, it is hard to predict which five athletes will rise to scoring positions.

On the girls side, top skier Nell Anthony will not be skiing this year due to injury. That’s a big loss for a small, inexperienced team. Anthony was consistently first or second for the Seahawks last season, vying for number one with Sophia Thayer.

“We only really have Sophia and Arden (McSwain) who return with experience. Maya (Schwehm) and Shaylee (Sibley) did ski last year, but didn't get much time on skis due to the lack of snow last winter,” Scott said.

The teams’ major advantage is most of the skiers run cross country or play field hockey in fall and enter the season in excellent shape. If they are not, Scott’s rigorous training program gets them there quickly. 

“We focus on a couple of different components. First, we do a fair amount of distance running to work on cardio. Athletes also run with poles to increase shoulder strength and to attempt to replicate the appropriate arm/shoulder motion of skiing. 

“Second, we work the core muscles through the use of a variety of exercises designed to work one’s abs, lower back, glutes, hips, hamstrings, and quads. 

“Lastly, we work on upper body strength by doing lots of push ups and other weightlifting exercises,” Scott said.

Until the snow flies, the Nordic team can be seen regularly running through town on cold afternoons. When snow does accumulate locally, athletes can be seen at the school’s outdoor playing fields, practicing the two different Nordic racing forms (classic and freestyle) they must master.

The season begins at the Sugarloaf Center Saturday, Dec. 15; for some Seahawks the race will be their first chance to try out their skis.

Sue Mello can be reached at 207-844-4629 or sumello@boothbayregister.com.