One first-year Catamount with local roots is establishing himself as a talented skier.
Henry Harmeyer recently skied at the U.S. Cross Country Championships in Michigan.
He finished third in the freestyle sprint and ninth in the 15K classic at the U.S. Cross Country Championships, according to UVM athletics.
In doing so he secured himself a spot at the Nordic Junior World Ski Championships that took place last week from Feb. 21 to 28.
Harmeyer, a South Burlington native, said his parents and former coaches are to thank for his success.
“My parents … put me on Nordic and Alpine skis at a very young age in Underhill, Vermont,” he said.
“[My former coach] Murray Banks was the one who introduced me to ski racing and invited me to my previous ski team, Mansfield Nordic Club,” Harmeyer said.
He said he always wanted to ski for his home state, and the UVM ski team’s reputation as one of the best in the country played a role in his decision to commit to the University.
However, there are difficulties associated with his success.
“Time management and recovery are some of the most difficult parts to being a student athlete,” Harmeyer said.
“In the fall and winter the UVM ski team trains in various places around the Burlington area… about six days a week, sometimes twice a day.”
Harmeyer’s coach, Patrick Weaver, had nothing but praise for him.
“[Harmeyer] is a hard worker and is very smart about his training and how his body feels,” Weaver saud.
“He has been a nice addition to the team,” he said.
Harmeyer has already hadsuccess in his career. He is a two-time Junior National Sprint Champion, and he competed for the U.S. in last year’s under-18 Nations Cup, according to UVM athletics.
However, both he and his coach are cautious about his future in skiing.
“I want to continue the next three years of my career skiing for the University of Vermont,” Harmeyer said. “After that, I’m not sure where I’ll be.”
In the meanwhile, however, Harmeyer said he was excited at the prospect of participating at the World Junior Championships.
“I was happy to see that my transition to UVM and my training with the team has gone well,” he said.
“I’m excited to go to Rasnov, Romania to test myself against some of best junior skiers in the world.”
Not only has he tested himself, but he has also proved himself as a promising skier.
Harmeyer has done very well at the World Junior Championships, where he was America’s leading skier in the men’s 1.3K skate sprint race, according to UVM athletics.
He finished 35th with a time of 2:50.06, UVM athletics stated.
The ski season wraps up with the NCAA Championships March 9 to 12 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, which will be hosted by the University of Colorado, according to UVM athletics.
