Last year, the days where substantial snow fell on the ground could be counted on one hand. For most Belmont Hill students, this lack of snowfall meant just one snow day, but for the Nordic Skiing team, it meant their entire season was threatened. Captain Lev Tolkoff ’24 describes the frustration, saying “[The season] was really tough. It was tough to get a good workout when we spent most of our time sharing a one kilometer loop, or not even on the snow.” Thus, the skiers spent much of their time last year working out on campus and using roller skis to supplement their time lost on snow. Despite the hardship faced by the conditions, the team was still able to place 3rd in the Lakes Region and 4th in New England.
This year, headed by returning Captains Brian Lee ’24 and Lev Tolkoff, the team has grown massively, and they have set lofty goals for the season ahead. Discussing the season ahead, Brian Lee says, “this is the biggest team we’ve ever had, and the fastest team I’ve seen. We had a really strong season last year, and the potential of both the returning skiers and new skiers is really exciting.” Brian is referring to the fact that all six racers who were ranked top twenty in the Lakes Regions last year remain on the team, and the team has grown to a record high twenty-seven racers.
As the winter season begins, the Nordic Skiing team has the opportunity to have one of the most successful seasons in its history, and the team might just be one of Belmont Hill’s best come February and March.
