“Nordic Skiing is essentially running on skis.” President of the University of Wyoming Nordic Ski Team, Leann Bentley said.
Participants in a Nordic Skiing competition are faced with difficult tasks and must ski over all types of terrain and even uphill at times.
“Instead of skiing downhill you ski uphill, kind of through all the terrain,” said Bentley.
The grueling nature of Nordic skiing is something the athletes have come accustomed to and even learn to enjoy. “It’s great, it really works your whole body,” Bentley said.
Bentley, who is a senior at the University of Wyoming, was born and raised in Laramie and
started Nordic Skiing her freshman year of high school. She raves about the benefits of being a member of the Nordic Ski club here at UW.
“Joining this team is one of the greatest things I’ve ever done, in terms of furthering my academic goals and my athletic goals,” Bentley said. “I attribute much of my success to the team and I feel that I am a more holistic person because of it.”
The Nordic Ski team has their first competition of the season during finals week in Breckenwood, Colorado, but the bulk of their season does not start until January.
The men’s Nordic ski team, who is coming off their third national championship, is looking good for the coming season, but Bentley feels that the women are the side of the team who are in store for a really great season this year.
“I think it’s the women who are looking the strongest this year,” Bentley said.
Members of the Nordic ski team get the opportunity to travel all around the world.
“We’ve gone to Kazakhstan Turkey, Slovakia, Italy, all around the United States, New York, Oregon, Colorado and Montana.” Bentley said.
With all the traveling the team does it may seem like it would be easy for them to let their grades slip but that is not an issue on the Nordic Ski Team.
“Our coaches are really academically driven, so they’ve helped me get internships and take core classes,” Bentley said.
Even when taking into account all the travel and the support of the coaches, Bentley feels that the best part of being on the Nordic Ski team here at UW is the bond she shares with her teammates.
“I think the best thing is just the family you meet by skiing. Everyone who does it is really driven and passionate about what they do, academically and socially,” Bentley said.
Practices for the Nordic Ski team take place all around Laramie and the surrounding mountains.
“We ski at Jackson trail by Vedauwoo and do dry land training at crossfit by the old movie theatre,” Bentley said. “We really span Laramie and out to the mountains.”
For those looking to join the Nordic Ski team the email of Leann Bentley and the coaches Rachel Watson and Christi Boggs are on www.uwyo.edu in the club sports section.
“You can ask anyone on the team and just come to practice.” Bentley said.
Even if you’re not interested in joining the Nordic ski team go out and support the Cowboys as they start their season.
