Skier of the Week: US Nationals

Meghan finishing the Classic Sprint

US Nationals provided a fantastic week of racing: amazing trails, a beautiful place to stay, fantastic racers to watch and to beat. It was the early highlight of this nascent season.

It was a week full of great performances: Ben in the classic, Will and Sam in the 30km, Elise in the 10km and Sierra finally getting to race. It was also a week full of team bonding and gestures of kindness (Taylor drove coaches to the venue at 6 am). However, after the full week of competition, one racer stands out.

Meghan came to our team just 3 years ago after skiing only one season in high school. Despite having ski skills that were not yet mature, Meghan attended every practice beginning the summer before her Freshman year. She quickly became one of the fittest athletes on an incredibly fit team.

This season she asked if she could do the Elite Team and with some consideration and discussion we decided she could try it but that she would probably only start in interval start races and that she needed to be prepared to learn a bunch but possibly be last in the race. Meghan accepted this challenge without hesitation and she showed her metal at US Nationals.

The week started with the 10km classic interval start, which is a very good race for Meghan and she did not disappoint. Not only did she ski very well and beat some real quality skiers but she handled it all like a pro. This is an extremely high level race with a great deal of stress in the environment and Meghan has never done a ski race of this caliber. You would never know it. She was poised, professional and FAST!

The second race would seem to be her worst, the freestyle sprint,  but she once again jumped in and skied with poise.

As we approached the 20km mass start skate we discussed whether or not Meghan should race. This was a race that we had originally thought she would sit out but she had done so well the rest of the week that we decided that if she wanted to do it then she could.

Wow! That’s all I have to say…

After a rocky start, that left Meghan at the back of the pack she spent the next 15km chasing good athletes in front of her and destroying their dreams. One after another went down as she hunted them from the back, just getting stronger and stronger as this long, grueling race continued. She not only belonged in that race but truly showed a fitness and strength of will that was the equal to any athlete out there. The race was a true thing of beauty!

After completing three races for the week there was no question that Meghan was going to finish the entire series of four and so Saturday found her in the Classic Sprint. Another day and another show of good skiing! When she came by I couldn’t help but mention to a coach near me that this was only her 3rd full year of skiing ever. Watching her stride up the final hill no one would every have believed it.

Meghan has showed herself to be not only an important and pivotal leader on this team but she is now starting to show us the beginnings of greatness on the ski trails as well. In fact, Meghan was the only woman on the team to finish all four races.

Meghan Kent you ROCK OUR WORLD!