There is a lot of racing going on right now. Usually, racing happens on the weekend, but this isn’t just any week, it’s the One Week in March when all the racing happens: NCAA’s, Junior Nationals, Holmenkollen, and even the Track & Field Indoor Championships.
Check it.
Newell - bib 11 - brings it home. photo: worldcupdrammen.no
First of all, a huge Congratulations to Newell who climbed onto the podium taking third in Drammen, Norway yesterday. That’s a great day for Andy, but his performance doesn’t surprise me at all. Stay tuned for the next sprint this Sunday at the Holmenkollen.
Northug, Jonsson, Newell - photo: worldcupdrammen.no
The Holmenkollen is the King of Nordic ski races–a 50km World Cup. This will be the first year that it’s run as a Mass Start of the Skate variety (it’s typically an individual start 50km!) and I’d say that suits my teammate Brian Gregg very well. Hammer Brian!
Yesterday, NCAA’s kicked off for the Nordic skiers in Steamboat. Though Midd’s got a pretty small crew, they’re still getting after it and skiing strong. Stay tuned for the 15/20km Mass Start Skate that wraps up the Championship tomorrow.
Out in Maine, the Junior National Championships have been going on all week. It’s been exciting to follow the Midwest skiers that I’ve gotten to know at training camps and on the trail over the years. I can’t wait to get out to Maine for the US 50km Championship and Spring Series in a couple weeks.
Finally, the most exciting news of the day. . .
Garrett Heath and Will Leer, two of my good friends from high school, are racing for the US today in the 1500m at the World Indoor Track & Field Championships in Doha, Qatar. In today’s qualifier, Heath, from Winona, Minnesota, ran the 1500m in 3:39, fast enough to make it into tomorrow’s final. Leer, from Minneapolis, ran a 3:42 and just missed tomorrow’s final. Congrats to both of them and Good Luck Garrett in tomorrow’s final!
Will Leer - AP Photo/Michel Euler
Garrett Heath relaxing in 5th during Heats at Worlds - photo: iaaf.org