Sam Naney, the Methow Valley Nordic Team’s new program director, has previously served as a coach for the team.
Naney named to coach Nordic Team
The Methow Valley Nordic Ski Education Foundation, the nonprofit that oversees the Methow Valley Nordic Team, has named Sam Naney as Program Director to replace the retiring Leslie Hall. The Program Director serves as the head coach for the Nordic Team. Hall had held the position for nine years.
According to information from the foundation, Naney has lived in the Methow for most of his life and been involved with the Nordic Team since the 1990s. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 2006, he returned to the valley for the next eight years and began his coaching career with the Nordic Team and the Liberty Bell High School junior varsity track team. Following his retirement from the elite ski circuit, Naney and his family moved to Seattle to run the Momentum Northwest ski program, then returned to the Methow two years later.
Naney and his wife, Alison, run Cascade Endurance, and Naney has stayed involved with the Nordic Team as an event and volunteer coordinator, and as a U14 and Arctic Fox coach.
The foundation’s Executive Director, Pete Leonard, said that “Sam brings the full range of skills that are necessary to run the Ski Team, from sport-specific knowledge to communication and organization skills, to interpersonal skills and an ability to connect with a broad range of young skiers as they grow through their journey in the sport.”
Bike ride
On June 14, Methow At Home is sponsoring a bike ride to Twisp and back with Ted Young, starting at the Winthrop Town Trailhead, from 10 a.m.-noon. Limited to six participants. Free and open to the public. Register at methowathome.org.
Free state parks days
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced it has added Juneteenth (June 19) to its list of free days in state Parks during June. A Discover Pass will not be required for daytime activities at all state parks or on recreation lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Other free days are Saturday (June 5) in recognition of National Trails Day, June 12 in recognition of National Get Outdoors Day, and June 13 for a free fishing weekend.
