Message from the Executive Director
Hope you are all enjoying a wonderful, adventurous summer with your families! Our coaches have been keeping your athletes busy with all kinds of fun activities, which you can read about in the various division updates below.
Thank you to everyone who came out for the 4th of July Fun Run and parade. We are indebted to our good friends at Cole Sport for supporting the Fun Run for the 38th year and appreciate all of our sponsors. Just over 1,000 participants joined the race this year helping raise important funds for the club!
The 23rd Annual Jindro Mayer Springer Tournee is happening this week! It is the biggest Ski Jumping event in North America with nearly 100 athletes and their families participating. Volunteers are still needed for this event, so if you are able to help out, please click here to sign up.
Earlier this month we had the opportunity to host a reception for members of the Ukrainian National Freestyle and Curling Teams who are currently housed and training at the UOP and at the U of U. It was so amazing to hear the stories from these athletes and understand that we have been able to support them as they continue to train for their sports. Special shout out to the Worthington Family for hosting this special event.
As part of this newsletter, you will see a new financial information section titled "Scholarships and Fundraising." This month we are excited to use this section to introduce our new Grants Consultant, Tiia Libin, who is focused on finding and securing grants for PCSS. In August, we will publish a summary of scholarship opportunities that may be available to PCSS athletes.
We have also been fortunate to have several college interns support our activities this summer, and we have included their photos and brief bios below. In addition, you will also see an introduction to Linda Beling who has been hired as a part-time Program Administrator to support Jackie Wilkinson and our team.
With gratitude,
Christie
Club News & Upcoming Events
- New PCSS Director of Snowboard, Rick Shimpeno - We are pleased to welcome Rick as the new Director of Snowboard for PCSS. Rick joins us from U.S. Ski & Snowboard where he was Head Coach for the U.S. Half Pipe team.
- 23rd Annual Jindro Mayer Springer Tournee - Summer Ski Jumping competition at the UOP, July 28 - July 30. More info here or Volunteer here.
- Park City Fall Trail Series - Coming soon, this fundraiser features the trails of the Utah Olympic Park and provides challenges for all ages!
23rd Annual Jindro Mayer Springer Tournee Schedule (Subject to Change)
Utah Olympic Park (UOP) - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
July 25 – 30, 2022, Park City, Utah
Monday, July 25th
6:30AM – 6:30PM Coach and team check in (Nordic Office)
7:00AM – 9:30AM Open training, HS68/100/134
8:30AM – 12:00PM Open training, HS15/20/42
3:00PM – 6:00PM Open training, HS15/20/42
5:30PM – 8:00PM Open training, HS68/100/134
Tuesday, July 26th
9:00AM – 12:00PM National Team staff/athletes coach Springer participants (U10 – U16 only)
1:30PM – 3:30PM Youth testing at Basin Recreation Fieldhouse led by National Team
5:30PM – 8:30PM Open training, all hills
5:00PM – 10:00PM Dine in/dine out, Versante Hearth & Bar located at Peaks Hotel
Wednesday, July 27th
7:00AM – 9:30AM Open training, HS68/100/134
8:30AM – 12:00PM Open training, HS15/20/42
1:00PM – 2:00PM Parent/club leader resource session
3:00PM – 6:00PM Open training, HS15/20/42
5:30PM – 8:00PM Open training, HS68/100/134
6:00PM – 10:00PM USANS Springer Soiree Fundraiser – Click Here to Purchase Tickets or Donate
Thursday, July 28th
7:00AM – 9:30AM Open training, HS68/100/134
8:30AM – 12:00PM Open training, HS15/20/42
12:30PM – 1:30PM TCM QCR, Quinney Welcome Center 3rd Floor
4:00PM – 5:00PM Open training, HS15/20/42 (in place of trial round)
5:15PM – 7:30PM Small hills competition, HS15/20/42
6:00PM – 8:00PM Parent mixer, UOP small hills outrun
Friday, July 29th
7:00AM – 9:30AM HS68 competition, U16/U18
8:30AM – 12:00PM Open training, HS15/20/42
5:00PM – 6:00PM Nordic combined running races, UOP 1-3km
6:30PM – 8:00PM BBQ & small hills Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined awards
Saturday, July 30th
7:00AM – 9:30AM HS100 competition/US CUP
5:00PM – 7:00PM 5km & 10km roller ski races, Soldier Hollow
6:00PM – 8:00PM Large hills Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined awards and food truck, Soldier Hollow
Division Updates
Aerials
It is peak season at the UOP Spence Eccles Freestyle pool, and athletes from around the country are coming to cool off and perfect their tricks for the winter to come. On August 5-7, PCSS Aerials is hosting a 3-day Intro to Freestyle camp for anyone interested in starting a new and exciting sport in a safe and fun environment. At the camp you will meet US Ski Team athletes, as well as Olympic medalists and coaches. If you are not available for the camp, sign up for a "Punch Pass" and we will find a day and time that works for you to come try Freestyle skiing.
Devo Freestyle
Devo Freestyle summer training at the UOP is in full swing! We have already seen each athlete make so much progress - whether it's learning their first flip, progressing their tricks to bigger jumps, or just getting more comfortable in the air, athletes are making huge strides. We have only a few weeks of summer training left, so if your athlete was planning on coming to water ramp, please contact Ryan DeVine at rdevine@parkcityss.org ASAP as space in the remaining sessions is very limited.
Ski Jumping
Our ski jumping and Nordic combined athletes enjoyed another successful Fourth of July in Steamboat Springs. Our team participated in the 16th Annual Steamboat Ski Jumping Extravaganza and a variety of other activities throughout the week. On the way to Colorado, athletes and coaches camped alongside the Yampa river where they swam, cooked out, and rollerskied from the campsite.
During the week in Steamboat, activities ranged from training on the hills to hiking, floating the river, playing games and barbecuing with the gracious host club. Competitions kicked off on July 3rd with a jumping event. On July 4th, our Nordic combined athletes started the activities with a fast-paced Main Street running and rollerski race before the Independence Day parade. After the parade, they competed in an exciting elimination jump event at Howelsen Hill. Our athletes had some notable results, including Liam Demong’s 3rd and 2nd place in U12 Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined (respectively), Roscoe Maxwell’s 3rd in U14 Nordic Combined and Root Roepke’s 2nd in U20 Nordic Combined.
Alpine
Alpine summer dryland is in full swing, and our FIS groups have been hard at work the last month and a half. Our U16 athletes completed Skills Quest Fitness Baseline testing, and the results will help them understand the areas they need to work on for the remainder of the summer leading up to the fall break.
This same group, along with a handful of our U14s, just returned from Les Deux Alpes, France which turned out to be a great experience that we hope to continue next year. Our staff has also been busy organizing the HPC for its final move out before many of our athletes start working out at the Center of Excellence, as well as cleaning up the Team room.
Freeski
Big Mountain just finished their Early Bird Water Ramp Camp, and athletes had a blast working with Sarah and getting to know their new Big Mountain Head Coach, Sawyer Stroud.
Park and Pipe just had a group return from a successful Airbag Camp in Canada, while other athletes were getting work done at the water ramps. Still lots of training opportunities are available this summer so get signed up!
The water ramps are in full swing and athletes are having a blast. With temperatures rising, this is the best time to come work on tricks you want to have ready for the winter.
The mountain bike program has just 2 weeks remaining and spots are filling up fast. Don't miss out on some two-wheeled fun and come ride with us.
Lastly, our Woodward Wednesdays athletes have been getting plenty of time on the Woodward trampolines, sending in-line to the foam pits, and working on tricks to take to the water ramps. We are offering drop-in sessions for those who cannot commit to weekly training. Come have fun with your coaches at Woodward!
Cross Country
The summer has been a blast so far with a variety of outdoor activities at practices. Cross country athletes and coaches came out in full force to support the Fourth of July 5k run and parade.
The cross country team attended the Intermountain Division (IMD) U15 Camp with 30 other athletes and coaches at the scenic Homestake Lodge in Butte, Montana July 15-18th. This "device-free" camp was a great opportunity to connect with other IMD U14 and U16 athletes. We worked on skills on rollerskis, skated a distance rollerski alongside the headwaters of the Missouri River, completed a distance run on the Continental Divide Trail, swam in rivers and lakes, participated in an extreme game of Capture the Flag, and enjoyed s’mores and card games in the evening. The new friendships formed will give kids another great reason to travel to IMD competitions this winter.
The Comp team has been busy in Park City making use of the local bike paths and trails. On July 26th, the team is going to a camp in Bozeman which will also give them the opportunity to connect with other IMD teams.
Moguls
Everything is running business as usual for the Mogul team. The FIS Elite and Full Time teams are training on the water ramps at the UOP to prepare for our next on-snow camp in Australia in August. Jump Start is also training on the water ramps before heading back to school in August. Progress is being made on the West Peak expansion at the UOP, and we are anxiously waiting to see how the new mogul course will turn out. After a brief stint coaching for the US Ski Team, we are excited to welcome Emerson Smith back into his position as Head Mogul Coach with PCSS.
Snowboard
The Park City Snowboard Team has been busy over the last month. We are about halfway through our summer skate camp dates and things are "skating" right along. The skate camps are now moving into the traveling camp model, which is a favorite of the staff and campers alike. This is when we pile into a van, and skate the awesome parks in the area. Stay tuned for photos and videos from these trips.
The team also had a great camp at Copper Mountain in Colorado. The crew spent time in the Woodward park at Copper and made the most of the summer snow, which boasted jumps and rails of all sizes and shapes. "Pops" and Sam made sure that time was well spent on the hill, confidence was lifted, and tricks were learned! The campers also had plenty of time in the Woodward Copper Barn on the trampolines and skate ramps. The team realizes how fortunate they are to have access to the Woodward facilities, and left camp ready to get to work and prepare for the 22/23 season!
staff updates
COACH spotlight
Jason (JAY) hey
Jay is the Women’s FIS Alpine Head Coach for PCSS. He grew up in Northborough, MA and began his ski racing career in the Tristate Area (Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont). He went on to race for Plymouth State College, where he was a 3 time All-American and captain of the ski team for 2 years.
Jay started his coaching career in Park City in 2008 where he has been the Women’s FIS Head Coach for the past 10 seasons. During his time at PCSS, he has created a fun, inviting culture where many athletes have found success at all levels of skiing. He has continued to move athletes to the USST, NDG and other respected NCAA programs. His vast knowledge of the sport has helped grow the PCSS Women's FIS program into the one of the best women’s programs in the country.
When not on the mountain working with the team, you can find Jay biking, boating, running rivers, and spending quality time with his girlfriend, Alli, and dog, Tucker.
Coach spotlight
mikaela wilson
Mikaela is the PCSS Director of Moguls. She was on the US Ski Team for 9 years and her competitive highlights include a National Championship title, World Cup win, and being named a member of the 2013 World Championships team. Her husband, Bryon Wilson is an Olympic bronze medalist and the current head mogul coach for the US Ski Team. Clearly mogul skiing is a family affair. Mikaela and Bryon have a 4-month-old daughter, Annabelle, and a 4-year-old dog, Juniper.
In addition to coaching mogul skiing, Mikaela is a certified Exercise Physiologist and a Pilates instructor. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Utah in 2020 with a B.S. in Kinesiology and minors in both Nutrition and Psychology.
linda beling, program administrator
Linda joins us as a part-time Program Administrator to assist Jackie Wilkinson and the PCSS coaches. She brings process improvement and communication expertise to her role. Having raised her sons as part of PCSS Nordic, she is excited to reconnect and provide her support.
Frankie Cloete, intern
Frankie is an undergraduate student at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, double majoring in Sociology & Anthropology and Hispanic Studies with a minor in Music. She is passionate about social justice efforts in the arts and advocating for a world without healthcare barriers for all individuals.
Emme Ryan, intern
Emme is a rising sophomore at the University of Utah where she is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. Emme is a former alpine ski racer with PCSS, and during the winter months she coaches our junior alpine program!
odin Bercu, intern
Odin is a junior at Colorado College studying Journalism. He grew up surfing in California and eventually ended up in the mountains. He fell in love with climbing and skiing. When Odin is not at PCSS or in the mountains, you can find him at MOD Pizza in Park City getting a pizza with all the toppings.
Scholarships and Fundraising
In this new section of the newsletter we will highlight the various opportunities and resources available to provide financial assistance with athlete program fees, travel expenses, and other related costs. This month we introduce our new Grants Consultant, Tiia Libin, who will be working with us to secure grants for PCSS. Please reach out to Tiia directly at tiia@parkcityss.org if you have any tips on good fit grants or similar opportunities. Our August issue will provide a summary of and links to the applications for available scholarship opportunities.
welcome tiia libin
Pcss grant consultant
Tiia joins PCSS with over 25 years of experience in the communication industry and brings a wealth of knowledge about nonprofit management, fundraising, and grant writing to our organization. She has been playing, competing, and/or working in the snow sports industry her entire life.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Commercial Recreation and Tourism from The Pennsylvania State University, and a master's degree in Business Communication. Tiia will be working with us to secure grants for PCSS. Please reach out to her anytime with leads, questions, or suggestions at tiia@parkcityss.org.
