Two local juvenile Nordic skiers earned have earned “bragging rights” after being named to the Alberta Development Team (ADT) following the 2016-17 ski season.
Makayla Sheppard and Jake Gerritse pulled in a total of 159 and 370 points respectively through competing in Alberta Cups last season, placing each of them in the top five across the province of their age category.
“It was an honour. I was really excited,” Gerritse said, sitting in the Landing Trail Intermediate School field after strength training Oct. 5. “That’s what I was aiming for at the beginning of the year, that was my goal. I was really happy about that.”
Sheppard said she had two goals last year; first, she wanted to be either on the ADT or at least get a top three in a race.
“I got both,” she said.
Sheppard’s mom, Chandra Sheppard, said she was kind of expecting her daughter would make it to the ADT.
“She had made that goal at the beginning of the year and she worked really, really hard,” Chandra said. “She had some impressive meets. We watched her points throughout the season and it was pretty close, but she made it. I was super happy to see her happy to meet her goal.”
Skiers born between 2001 and 2003 are placed on the ADT based on a points system. Points from athletes’ five best races throughout the season are added together, and the team is made based on the top earners in each age category.
In total, there are only 24 athletes on the team across the province.
Kate Gerritse, Jake’s mom, said the Athabasca Nordic Ski Club is very small compared to others throughout the province, yet Athabasca “almost always” has representation on the ADT.
“Jake has been skiing since he was very, very young. He loves skiing, and this has been a long-time goal, to follow in the footsteps of others – because Athabasca has had quite a few kids over the years on the Alberta development team,” she said. “Jake’s been on skis since literally as long as he’s been walking.”
While Makayla and Jake do not get to represent Alberta in any competitions, benefits of being on the ADT include exclusive training camps, discounts on ski equipment, and of course, “bragging rights.”
