While other high school sports teams head indoors for the winter, the Nordic ski team will brave the worst winter has to offer. In fact, a big dose of cold weather and snow is exactly what this team thrives on.

Started four years ago by coach and teacher Nick Scott as a an adjunct to the cross country program, the Boothbay Region High School Nordic ski program has shown steady progress.

When they began four years ago, few Nordic team members had ever donned skinny skis, and races were more learning experiences than competition for the Seahawks.

But with Scott at the helm, merely participating is never an option. Last season, the Seahawks did well overall and Robert Campbell and Sophia Thayer became the first Seahawks to achieve all-conference status (top 10) for Nordic skiing.

This Nordic season, Scott will be on the sidelines and BRHS teacher Emily Higgins will serve as head coach.

“I am super excited to have Emily coaching the team,” Scott said. “She has been both a Nordic racer and coach and that experience and knowledge are a fantastic fit for our team. The student athletes really are in the best possible hands that they could be.”

Higgins said she has been on skis almost as long as she has been walking. She began both Nordic and downhill skiing at age three and raced on her college Nordic team as a senior. Years later, Higgins said she studied adult Nordic ski racing techniques with Olympian Susan Wemyss at Great Glen Trails in New Hampshire. Higgins raced recreationally for two years and then taught Nordic skiing at Great Glen Trails for a few seasons.

“I am very excited to be coaching and hope that I can bring the same enthusiasm and success that Nick Scott has brought to the team,” Higgins said. “I am honored to be filling in for him this year. Nordic skiing is one of my favorite activities and I am eager to share my passion for the sport with others.”

Higgins and Scott said they both expect returning seniors Campbell, Thayer and Benn Scully to lead this year’s team.

“The team has a tremendous base of fitness and strength coming into the season and a core of experienced skiers,” Higgins said. “Nick Scott has done a great job preparing the returning seniors for the past four years. Co-captains Robert Campbell, Benn Scully and Sophia Thayer are all great runners and skiers and will help lead the team in learning, skiing, and waxing, along with leading us in the race results.”

In Nordic skiing, the team score is the combined score of the top four finishers. Scott said he expects returning juniors Kyler Carty and Zack Vise to join Campbell and Scully as the top skiers for the boys team this season.

“Kyler Carty and Zach Vise both had stand-out seasons last year and return this year to the varsity team,” Scott said. “This is the most experienced team that the boys have fielded to date and it'll be fun to watch the season unfold.”

Anyone who watched freshman Joey Paolillo run cross country this fall will be anxious to see how he fares on skis. Nordic is a new sport for the speedy Paolillo but, understandably, his coach has high expectations. 

“Joey’s success with cross-country running gives him a great base and excellent core strength, which will help him quickly master the skill needed to race fast and well,” Higgins said. 

The girls team needs some recruits if they are going to make it into the stats books this year. So far sophomore Angela Machon is the only other Lady Seahawk who has risen to the Nordic challenge.

“Our girls, Angela and Sophia, both bring great form and tremendous determination to the sport,” Higgins said, “Sophia’s dryland work thus far shows excellent skill with skiing, and as always, her strength training and aerobic fitness will make her a force to be reckoned with on the trails. Angela has great potential, shown by her balance and care learning technique during dryland drills.”

Higgins said the entire team, from experts to novices, is showing a positive attitude and great enthusiasm for the sport.

If Mother Nature cooperates, expect to see the Nordic team practicing at the high school fields after school and on weekends.

The Seahawks’ ski racing season begins on January 4 at Telstar.

Nordic season is here.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.