By Shambhavi Ranjan
Staff Writer
Last Monday, the cross-country ski team started their practice for the season. Even though there is no snow, they are working on physical conditioning. The snow will be falling soon, and they need to get in shape.

The team will get on the skis in the 3rd week of December. But right now, the team is working out.

“We are focusing on conditioning, which is very important. Unlike downhill skiing, [cross country skiing] is more physically demanding, and you need muscles. We are doing a lot of running, core strength abs work, weights, and skate skiing,” said coach Andrew Norander.

There are four captains in the team. One of them, Alanna Weiss, said “The workouts are helpful. We are doing new stuff, and they do help you.”

The captains divided the team into four groups, each of them being the head of their group. To make it fun, they had names based on Harry Potter. Being a captain might be a tough job for some, as they work to gain the respect of the others on the team. But this is not a problem for the cross country ski.

“The team is good and they listen well,” said Weiss.

Seventy people joined the team this year, a dozen of them being newcomers, and they are all working hard towards a good season. Rivals have been an issue with all teams.

“Our biggest rivals… probably LS, AB, and CC,” says Norander.

As the temperature starts to decrease, the team starts to get more excited for the season.

“We have a great group of sophomores and juniors. There are a dozen new comers, and they look good too,” says Norander.