Nordic hit with new COVID-19 restrictions
Park finds ways to stay safe and have fun
Senior co-captain Mimi Kniser warms up before captains practice Nov. 12. Kniser leads the medium length group.
November 14, 2020
In light of a surge of COVID-19 cases across Minnesota, Nordic has made some adjustments to its practices in order to stay safe. Senior captain Mimi Kniser said the captains are lowering the number of people at each captains practice and dispersing the skiers to lower the chance of a COVID-19 outbreak.
“We are meeting in different locations for every group. There’s only 15-20 to people in every area,” Kniser said. “Everyone has to wear a mask when we are standing around. Once we are running you don’t have to, but a lot of people do.”
According to sophomore Rachel Katzovitz, COVID-19 changes have been difficult to adjust to, but she believes that the team is doing the best it can.
“It’s definitely been different with COVID-19 because we’ve had to follow some new guidelines and make sure everyone stays safe, but also that we get the training that we need to get in before the actual season starts,” Katzovitz said.
Kniser said that many people join the team with the intent of being with their friends, which could make things difficult for the upcoming season.
“It’s not gonna be the same with the social aspect, which is a big part of why a lot of people do it, so I don’t really know how it’s gonna be,” Kniser said.
Freshman Hanna Wilsey said the team will persevere through the changing format of meets and practices.
“Our team is going to be able to be strong. We have a very good community with Nordic and every (skier) is a really great person, and this will just bring us closer together,” Wilsey said.
According to Kniser, the restrictions might be an obstacle for the team to overcome, but it shouldn’t change the outcome of the season.
“It will make it a little bit harder for people to be a cohesive team, but as far as physical training, it shouldn’t be that much different,” Kniser said.
Katzovitz said the team will grow stronger after dealing with the difficulties amidst the current pandemic.
“It will bring the team closer together because we all have to work together to get through this as a team, and we all have to cooperate with what’s going on,” Katzovitz said.
