Sargent ‘Blown Away’ With Talent At National U16 Camp

Sixty of the best U16 cross country athletes from around the country gathered at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn., recently to push to their athletic limits and beyond.

“I was blown away by the level of training, skiing, enthusiasm, and professionalism that I witnessed at the National U16 Cross Country Camp in Duluth,” noted former U.S. Cross Country Team member and two-time Olympian Ida Sargent, who participated in the camp as part of the Retired Stars Mentorship Program. 

“These kids showed up at each session and activity excited and ready to go,” she added. “The super sweaty pain faces at the top of the uphill time trial, the serious amount of road rash during the skate sprint simulation, the controlled pace during the distance workouts, and the very insightful and inquisitive questions which I was asked constantly throughout the week were all signs that these kids were taking risks, pushing the limits, and improving together.”

In addition to Sargent, athletes were led by a number of college, association, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard coaches through a variety of workouts at the camp.