University of Minnesota Athletics
Cross Country Camp Blog: Day 3
9/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Sept. 5, 2015
"With autumn increasing its grasp upon the northern Minnesota town of Nevis, the University of Minnesota's men's cross country team interrupts the still morning at Belle Shores Resort with groans, moans, and zombie like preparations for the morning run."
"After a brief team meeting, the stick-like figures pile themselves into vans, laughter erupts from the backseats as the daily array of jokes begin. The team travels 15 minutes from base camp to a maze of ATV trails to complete our 60-minute morning run."
"Upon arrival, the elite athletes separates into a couple groups and fade into the forests. Post run, sweaty bodies are gathered by the vehicles casually stretching and consuming nutrient rich treats. Coach Plasencia silences the peanut gallery and informs the group that the Nevis Cup shall begin. For those unaware, the Nevis cup comprises of seven competitive activities including: ultimate Frisbee, touch football, trivia, kayak race (relay format), volleyball, whiffle ball, and doubles badminton. The cross country team is divided into two "equal" teams, gold and maroon. Team captains Christian Skaret (Gold) and Aaron Bartnik (Maroon) drafted their players in the usual recess style. The teams participated in the first activity of the Nevis Cup, ultimate Frisbee, at Nevis High School, home of the Tigers."
"Competitive juices run wild when 17 Division I athletes and one assistant coach face each other in a backyard-style ultimate Frisbee game. By the end of the 30-minute game, the gold team was victorious. The individuals on both teams were tired, hungry, and ready to get back to base camp. The runners climb back into the vans and drive back to our home for 5 days. Upon arrival to the resort, lunch was served. At Belle Shores, we are thankful that Plaz's sister cooks fantastic meals for our team. Following lunch the team had some down time where some read books, played games such as risk and dominos, while others took naps.
"A 40-minute second run was on the agenda for most of the athletes at 4:30. After the run, we worked on dynamic flexibility with some hurdle mobility exercises and we had dinner."
"Following dinner, the individual badminton tournament was started. Additionally, the second Nevis Cup activity was schedules, the kayak races! Just before a large storm hit the area, the gold and maroon teams dueled it out on the chilly waters of Lake Belle Taine. The gold team again walked away from the event with smiles."
Training never ends for the University of Minnesota men's cross country program, and this week is no different for the Gophers.
While Minnesota celebrated a team and individual title on Tuesday night at the Bob Timmons Dual Classic, Wednesday morning saw the team wake up in Lawrence, Kan., and fall asleep in Nevis, Minn., as the team took off for its annual preseason camp in Northern Minnesota.
Aaron Bartnik (photos) and Matt Welch (notes and quotes) checked in on Friday as the Gophers spent their third day at camp.
Cross Country Camp Blog Recaps
Day 1 | Day 2
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Obsa Ali just being Obsa. |
"With autumn increasing its grasp upon the northern Minnesota town of Nevis, the University of Minnesota's men's cross country team interrupts the still morning at Belle Shores Resort with groans, moans, and zombie like preparations for the morning run."
 |
Matt Welch and Obsa Ali playing Plaz's ring-toss game. |
"After a brief team meeting, the stick-like figures pile themselves into vans, laughter erupts from the backseats as the daily array of jokes begin. The team travels 15 minutes from base camp to a maze of ATV trails to complete our 60-minute morning run."
"Upon arrival, the elite athletes separates into a couple groups and fade into the forests. Post run, sweaty bodies are gathered by the vehicles casually stretching and consuming nutrient rich treats. Coach Plasencia silences the peanut gallery and informs the group that the Nevis Cup shall begin. For those unaware, the Nevis cup comprises of seven competitive activities including: ultimate Frisbee, touch football, trivia, kayak race (relay format), volleyball, whiffle ball, and doubles badminton. The cross country team is divided into two "equal" teams, gold and maroon. Team captains Christian Skaret (Gold) and Aaron Bartnik (Maroon) drafted their players in the usual recess style. The teams participated in the first activity of the Nevis Cup, ultimate Frisbee, at Nevis High School, home of the Tigers."
 |
Hanging out on the raft after the morning run. |
"Competitive juices run wild when 17 Division I athletes and one assistant coach face each other in a backyard-style ultimate Frisbee game. By the end of the 30-minute game, the gold team was victorious. The individuals on both teams were tired, hungry, and ready to get back to base camp. The runners climb back into the vans and drive back to our home for 5 days. Upon arrival to the resort, lunch was served. At Belle Shores, we are thankful that Plaz's sister cooks fantastic meals for our team. Following lunch the team had some down time where some read books, played games such as risk and dominos, while others took naps.
 |
The Gophers play risk in the evening. |
 |
More dominos. |
"A 40-minute second run was on the agenda for most of the athletes at 4:30. After the run, we worked on dynamic flexibility with some hurdle mobility exercises and we had dinner."
 |
Charlie Lawrence works on hurdle mobility. |
"Following dinner, the individual badminton tournament was started. Additionally, the second Nevis Cup activity was schedules, the kayak races! Just before a large storm hit the area, the gold and maroon teams dueled it out on the chilly waters of Lake Belle Taine. The gold team again walked away from the event with smiles."
 |
Riley Macon and Joey Duerr play the first game of the individual badminton tournament. |
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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