The 3rd annual National J2 Talent Camp will be conducted August 4- August 11, 2012 in Craftsbury, Vermont at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center. The camp will provide a great opportunity for many of the top young cross country skiers in the U.S. to train together, and learn from USST staff and top club coaches.

The camp is the first step along the U.S. development pipeline for promising young skiers. Each year the location of the camp will rotate around the U.S. to other great training venues, with the same time slot each summer – the first week of August. Selections of the top 20 boys and top 20 girls were made using a best two of three individual results from Junior Nationals. (For the sprint race, the qualifying round results were compared with final heat results and the best of these two was used in the calculation). In addition to the selections, each division may petition for the addition of up to 1 boy and 1 girl to attend the camp.

The collaboration from regional coaches along with continued support from NNF (National Nordic Foundation) and USSA (United States Ski and Snowboard Association), have enabled this camp to continue and to grow. After two very successful years, Michigan Tech in 2010 and Sun Valley in 2011, NNF will provide support for another year in 2012. This support greatly helps offset camp costs and ensures some of the top coaches in the country will be guiding these young athletes.

Camp invite roster is listed below. Invitations and registration application will be sent to selected athletes shortly. The deadline for registering is April, 30, 2012. The cost for this eight day camp is 595.00, and does not include airfare. Camp details (travel, accommodations, coaching staff, etc) will be forthcoming shortly. For more information, please contact Camp director Rick Kapala at: 208 720-7981 or via email rick@svsef.org.

This year’s site at Craftsbury Outdoor Center offers a spectacular setting for athletes with great hiking, rollerskiing, mountain biking, swimming, training facilities, lodging, and fabulous meals.

Camp Training Plan: The goals of the camp are twofold. Provide camp participants with an excellent week of dryland training with other top US Juniors that serves to help motivate participants in their efforts in ski racing. Additionally, the camp will provide participants with up to date information on nutrition and health management, current international ski technique and training planning and execution.

Eligible J2’s: Girls

1. Julia Kern, Cambridge Sports Union – NE

2. Lydia Blanchet. APUNSC-AK

3. Brooke Mooney, Stratton Mtn School- NE

4. ALayna Sonnesyn, Sisu Ski Club – MW

5. Katherine Ogden, Stratton Mtn School – NE

6. Sarrissa Lammers, Alaska Nordic Racing – AK

7. Jane Hoefler, APUNSC – AK

8. Zoe Snow , Cambridge Sports Union – NE

9. Hailey Swirbul, Aspen Valley SSC – RM

10. Hannah Peterson, Durango Nordic Ski Club – RM

11. Mattie Watts, Sisu Ski Club – MW

12. Gretchen Burkholder, Steamboat Springs WSC – RM

13. Taelaer McCrerey, Summit Nordic Ski Club – RM

14. Racquel Wohik, Sisu Ski Club – MW

15. Hannah Hardenbergh, SSC Vail-RM

16. Bjork Hagensen, Bridger Ski Foundation-IM

17. Leah Lange, Park City Nordic Ski Club-IM

18. Abby Habermehl, Summit Nordic Ski Club-RM

19. Evelina Sutro, Colorado Rocky Mtn School-RM

20. Emily Hyde, Mt Bachelor SEF-PN

Boys

1. Thomas O’Harra, APUNSC-AK

2. Karston Hokanson, Wasatch Nordic Ski Academy-IM

3. Cully Brown, Durango Nordic Ski Club-RM

4. Henry Harmeyer, Mansfield Nordic Club-NE

5. Peter Holmes, Tahoe XC Ski Ed Assn-FW

6. Matthew Muffoletto, Alaska Winter Stars-AK

7. Ben Hegman, Mansfield Nordic Club-NE

8. Sam Miller, Bridger Ski Foundation-IM

9. Tanner Ramey, Alaska Winter Starts-AK

10. Jack Elder, Cumberland Nordic Club-NE

11. Koby Gordon, Stratton Mtn School-NE

12. Peter Neal, Jackson Hole Ski Club-IM

13. Steve Hokanson, Sisu Ski Club-MW

14. John Farr, Alaska Winter Starts-AK

15. Jacob Bassett, Alaska Winter Stars-AK

16. Jacob Volz, APUNSC-AK

17. Gavin McEwen, Cambridge Sports union-NE

18. Henry Trowbridge, Summit Nordic Ski Club-RM

19. Forrest Smith, Crested Butte Nordic Team-RM

20. Joel Sawyer, Summit Nordic Ski Club- RM

Complete points ranking list used for selection process.

Thank you to our camp supporters: National Nordic Foundation and Craftsbury Outdoor Center.

Reader Curt Barnes submitted the following videos from the mixed 4 x 1.5k classic relay race at Mountain Top in Chittenden, Vermont.

Full coverage, including results from the three-day, four-race event can be found on the NENSA webstie at www.nensa.net.

Relay Start

First Exchange

MIDWAY, Utah — The Rocky Mountain J1 girls’ team of Mary O’Connell (Steamboat Springs WSC), Rachel Hampton (Durango NSC) and anchor Emily Hannah (Steamboat Springs WSC) took the win in a fast 3×3 k relay that ran concurrently with the OJ girls’. It was hard to tell what was going on in the scramble leg but a group of leaders eventually emerged, the RM J1s right in the mix at the front.

The Alaska team of Teagan Yutrzenka (Alaska Winter Stars), Sarah Freistone (Alaska Nordic Racing) and Marion Woods (AWS) finished 5.1 seconds back for the silver medal. New England’s relay of Heather Mooney (Middlebury) Olivia Meyerson (CSU) and Corey Stock (CSU) took third (+6.1).

The OJ girls’ relay winners was no surprise — after consistent top results this week, the Midwest kept it up for the final title of the week. Sharmila Ahmed (GoTraining), Alice Flanders (Sisu Ski Club) and Liz Simak (F.A.S.T.) won by a 7.2-second margin.

New England took the silver with the team of Tara Geraghty-Moats (Craftsbury), Emily Stitt (GMVS) and Rachel Hall (Middlebury). Alaska’s second team — Kinsey Loan (APUNSC), Kimberly Delfrate (ANR) and Annie Liotta (AWS) — came away with bronze (+11.9).

Live J1/OJ results (OJs appear below J1s)

Note: This post has been corrected to reflect that Rocky Mountain swept both the OJ and J1 boys relays at Junior Nationals on Saturday.

MIDWAY, Utah — Rocky Mountain topped the podium in both the J1 and OJ boys 3×3 k relays on Saturday at the 2012 Cross Country Junior Nationals at Soldier Hollow.

The J1 team with Cal Deline, Christian Shanley and Max Scimgeour edged New England (Eli Hoenig, Sean Doherty and Paddy Caldwell) by 0.3 seconds in 16:43.5.

The Midwest took third (+9.1) with Sam Elfstrom, Adam Martin and Jan Ketterson.

In the OJ boys relay, Rocky Mountain won by the same narrow margin, 0.3 seconds ahead of Alaska. The winners were Charlie Von Thaden, Mike Vigers and Tucker McCrerey, and Alaska was second with Jack Novak, Stefan Hajdukovich and Forrest Mahlen. Intermountain finished third (+0.7) with Kevin Bolger, Akeo Maifeld Carucci and Sawyer Kesselheim.

Combined relay results

MIDWAY, Utah — New England pulled out a photo-finish victory on Saturday at the 2012 Cross Country Junior Nationals at Soldier Hollow, winning the J2 girls 3×3 k relay by two-tenths of a second over Alaska in 20:13.4.

Julia Kern anchored the New England team, which included Zoe Snow and Katharine Ogden. Alaska was led by Sarrisa Lammer, Taryn Hunt-Smith and Lydia Blanchet in second, and the Midwest was third with Racquel Wohlk, Vivian Hett and Alayna Sonnesyn (+31.4).

J2 girls relay results

In the boys J2 race, Alaska’s Tanner Ramey, Jacob Volz and Thomas O’Harra skied away from the pack to win in 17:57.3.

Intermountain placed second (+2.5) with Sam Miller, Peter Neal and Karten Hokanson. New England was third (+17.1) with Ben Hegman, Jack Elder and Koby Gordon.

J2 boys relay results

MIDWAY, Utah — The J2 girls’ individual-start 5 k classic came down to a tie for the gold medal between two repeat winners: Julia Kern (NE/Cambridge Sports Union) and Lydia Blanchet (AK/APUNSC). Timing is only carried out tenths of seconds in JN distance races; both girls clocked in at 15:01.4. Katharine Ogden (NE/Stratton Mountain School) took home the bronze 1.5 seconds behind the winners.

The boy’s 5 k was slightly less tight at the top; Thomas O’Harra (AK/APUNSC) clocked in 2.4 seconds ahead of Cully Brown (RM/Durango NSC) in a time of 13:31.4. Peter Holmes (FW/Tahoe XC) finished third 19.6 seconds back.

By the time the J2 boys’ went off beginning at 11:15 am MST, the snow had warmed under the sun and started to break up.

J2 Girls’ 5 k Top 10:

1. Julia Kern (NE/Cambridge Sports Union) 15:01.4

1. Lydia Blanchet (AK/APUNSC) 15:01.4

3. Katharine Ogden (NE/SMS) +1.5

4. Brooke Mooney (NE/SMS) +24.6

5. Jane Hoefler (AK/APUNSC) +31.0

6. Hanna Peterson (RM/Durango NSC) +33.0

7. Marte Kaakenstad-Braaten (Canada/Rocky Mountain Racers) +39.0

8. Hailey Swirbul (RM/Aspen Valley SSC) +39.2

9. Alayna Sonnesyn (MW/Sisu Ski Club) +41.8

10. Hannah Hardenbergh (RM/SSC Vail) +44.9

Girls’ live timing

J2 Boys’ 5k Top Ten:

1. Thomas O’Harra (AK/APUNSC) 13:31.4

2. Cully Brown (RM/Durango NSC) +2.4

3. Peter Holmes (FW/Tahoe XC) +19.6

4. Sam Miller (IM/Bridger Ski Foundation) +20.6

5. Jack Elder (NE/Cumberland Nordic Club) +23.6

6. Karsten Hokanson (IM/Wasatch Nordic Ski Academy) +24.9

7. Peter Neal (IM/Jackson Hole SC) +25.5

8. Matthew Muffoletto (AK/Alaska Winter Stars)

9. Ben Hegman (NE/Mansfield NC) +30.4

10. Koby Gordon (NE/SMS) +36.2

Boys’ live timing

MIDWAY, Utah — Silas Talbot (NE/Dartmouth) posted the fastest time at Soldier Hollow on Friday, winning the OJ boys 10 k classic individual start in 25:45.5. A second-year OJ, it was his first victory at Junior Nationals.

Wednesday’s mass start winner, Ben Saxton (MW/Minnesota) placed second (+20.0) and Sam Reed (NE/UNH) was third (+30.0)

Cole Morgan (IM/Sun Valley) won the J1 boys 10 k classic title in 26:02.6. Paddy Caldwell (NE/Stratton) finished second (+45.3) and Cal Deline (RM/SSC Vail) was third (+46.0).

J1/OJ Boys Top 20

1. Silas Talbot (NE) OJ: 25:45.5

2. Cole Morgan (IM) J1: +17.1

3. Ben Saxton (MW) OJ: +20.0

4. Sam Reed (NE) OJ: +30.0

5. Mike Vigers (RM) OJ: +32.5

6. Kevin Bolger (IM) OJ: +35.4

7. Austin Meng (FW) OJ: +35.7

8. Tucker McCrerey (RM) OJ: +39.4

9. Alex Mahoney (Canada) OJ: +43.7

10. Charlie Von Thaden (RM) OJ: +55.7

11. Sawyer Kesselheim (IM) OJ: +56.1

12. Arnud Du Pasquier (RM) OJ: +57.8

13. Pat Caldwell (NE) J1: +1:02.4

14. Cal Deline (RM) J1: +1:03.1

15. Sean Doherty (NE) J1: +1:08.1

16. Reitler Hodgert (PN) OJ: +1:08.2

17. Adam Martin (MW) J1: +1:08.9

18. Scott Johanik (MW) OJ: +1:11.3

19. Forrest Mahlen (AK) OJ: +1:11.6

20. Kyle Bratrud (MW) OJ: +1:14.2

J1/OJ boys combined 10 k results

MIDWAY, Utah – Corey Stock (NE/Cambridge Sports Union) secured her third victory in as many races at the 2012 Cross Country Junior Nationals at Soldier Hollow on Friday, winning the J1 girls 5 k classic individual start in 14:07.4.

Her New England teammate, Heather Mooney was second (+24.8) and Marion Woods (AK) notched her second straight podium in third (+29.9).

In the OJ girls race, which was held in conjunction with the J1 girls, Rachel Hall (NE/Stratton Mountain School) was the fastest OJ over the 5 k distance.

After placing third in Wednesday’s mass start, Hall won Friday’s race in 14:43.5. Her New England teammate, Mary Kate Cirelli (Green Mountain VS) was second (+6.2). Wednesday’s runner-up, Elizabeth Simak (MW/F.A.S.T.) was third (+9.5).

Top 20 J1/OJ

1. Corey Stock (NE) J1: 14:07.4

2. Heather Mooney (NE) J1: +24.8

3. Marion Woods (AK) J1: +29.9

4. Mary O’Connell (RM) J1: +32.7

5. Sloan Storey (IM) J1: +34.2

6. Rachel Hall (NE) OJ: +36.1

7. Nichol Bathe (MW) J1: +39.9

8. Rachel Hampton (RM) J1: +40.5

9. Mary Kate Cirelli (NE) OJ: +42.3

10. Elizabeth Simak (MW) OJ: +45.6

11. Maya MacIsaac-Jones (Canada) J1: +50.7

12. Felicia Gesior (GL) OJ: +52.8

13. Hanna Benson (NE) J1: +53.5

14. Emily Hannah (RM) J1: +55.5

15. Oli Meyerson (NE) J1: +57.4

16. Tristin Lowe (IM) J1: +58.8

17. Sarah Cresap (AK) OJ: +59.8

17. Annie Liotta (AK) OJ: +59.8

19. Paige Schember (MW) OJ: +1:02.4

20. Delaney Fitzpatrick (MW) J1: +1:03.9

Girls combined J1/OJ 5k classic results

MIDWAY, Utah — For the second day of racing at Soldier Hollow, Ben Saxton (Midwest/Minnesota Valley Ski Club) came on strong in the final lap of the OJ boys’ 15 k mass start skate to close an almost insurmountable gap on Daviod Palmer (Canada/Black Jack Ski Club). Saxton edged Palmer by 0.3 seconds in a photo finish. Silas Talbot (New England/Dartmouth) rounded out the podium in third (+14.5).

For the OJ girls’ 10 k skate, Sharmila Ahmed (MW/GoTraining) took the win after passing runner-up Liz-Simak (MW/F.A.S.T.) when Simak broke a pole coming down the final descent into the stadium. Simak had put a surge on the preceding uphill, but said she got overexcited on the downhill and planted her pole between her legs. She crossed the line 11.9 seconds behind Ahmen. Rachel Hall (NE/Stratton Mountain School) finished third (+16.2).

Top 10 OJ Boys:

1. Ben Saxton (MW/Minnesota Valley Ski Club) 41:50.3

2. Daviod Palmer (Canada/Black Jack Ski Club) +0.3

3. Silas Talbot (NE/Dartmouth) +14.5

4. Saw Kesselheim (IM/Bridger Ski Foundation) +19.2

5. Tucker McCrerey (RM/Summit Nordic Ski Club) +29.7

6. Kyle Bratrud (MW/Minnesota Nordic Ski Club) +44.1

7. Jordan Fields (NE/Woodstock Nordic Runners) +48.6

8. Kevin Bolger (IM/Sun Valley SEF) +1:00.8

9. Austin Meng (FW/Auburn Ski Club) +1:08.0

10. Alexan Mahoney (CA/Rocky Mountain Racers) +1:18.5

OJ Boys 15 k free results (live timing)

Top 10 OJ Girls

1. Sharmila Ahmed (MW/GoTraining) 32:18.0

2. Liz Simak (MW/F.A.S.T.) +11.9

3. Rachel Hall (NE/SMS) +16.2

4. Isabelle Pelletier (NE/SMS) +19.5

5. Mary  Kate Cirelli (NE/Green Mountain Valley School) +21.6

6. Emily Stitt (NE/GMVS) +55.4

7. Alice Flanders (MW/Sisu Ski Club) +1:00.2

8. Paige Schember (MW/F.A.S.T.) +1:03.4

9. Claire Galvin (MW/GoTraining) +1:09.4

10. Rachel Mason (GL/Michigan Tech) +1:31.0

OJ Girls 10 k free results (live timing)

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