Bryan Cook leading AVSC’s Nordic racers
Courtesy photo |
Bryan Cook
AVSC Nordic Head National Competition Coach
Growing up in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, Bryan Cook is from a long line of Nordic skiers.
His brother, Chris Cook, was on the U.S. Ski Team for many years and participated in the 2016 Torino Olympics.
Cook’s parents coached numerous Midwest Division Junior National Teams. They also were high school coaches and race officials.
Additionally, his sister, Tanya Cook, has coached at the high school level, and his brother, Tim Cook, currently coaches at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
After graduating from Northern Michigan University, Cook competed in cross country ski racing for five years in pursuit of the Olympics.
For the past three years, he has been a wax technician for the Craftsbury Green Racing Project.
As a coach, Cook has worked with athletes from toddler through master-age level and has represented the United States at the Junior World Championships, Under-23 World Championships and World Cup.
He joined the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club three years ago. He is currently the head national competition coach and is a certified USSA L200 Coach.
“It was an easy decision to join the very talented AVSC staff,” said Cook.
As a coach for AVSC, Cook enjoys watching skiers embrace being outside and pushing their limits.
He is passionate about passing on Nordic skiing and exploring all of the surroundings the Roaring Fork Valley community provides.
“I hope that everyone realizes that winter is a time to see and enjoy their surroundings from a different perspective. I encourage everyone to venture outside in every season and embrace what their environment has to offer,” Cook said.
AVSC HIGHLIGHTS
Winter Park IPCAS Races — The AVSC Adaptive Team reconvened in Winter Park for tech races, including national team athletes who flew in from Europe to join the development team.
Josh Elliot won the second slalom against the best sit-skiers in the country while Laurie Stephens continues to dominate her season, winning all three of her races.
US Freestyle Selections — This event is used in conjunction with U.S. Championships results to determine the 2016 NorAm freestyle athletes (top 20-25) for the four NorAm competitions.
Colby Lee and Aaron Lee competed in the two mogul competitions and dual mogul competition this weekend. Colby Lee had a breakthrough performance on Friday, placing 10th.
Rocky Mountain Nordic Junior National Qualifier — In the 5K classic mass start race, Graham Houtsma was the second junior and fourth skier overall in a very competitive field with many top collegiate athletes.
Colt Whitley had a very exciting second half of the race, coming in fifth in his first 5K race at the RMN level.
In the freestyle sprint, Anna Fake and Chelsea Moore both had very dominant B-final victories.
Anna Fake also had an impressive race in the 5K classic mass start, passing and dropping a whole pack of skiers in the last 2K.
“AVSC Nordic had an all-around great weekend with outstanding performances,” said Maria Stuber, AVSC Nordic Program director.
USSA Colorado Ski Cup — It was a great start to the 2015-16 season for the AVSC U16 Alpine Program.
Jack Bowers had a standout performance with a second- and a fourth-place result.
As one of the younger competitors, Margo McHugh also had a strong race finishing 11th out of 103 racers.
The next competition is Dec. 29 at Copper Mountain.
