New Staff Profile: Art Summers

Art Summers

By: John Wilkins

Dorm Parent Art Summers with his daughter, Emma.

    Art Summers is an extremely unique addition to National Sports Academy’s faculty as a dorm parent.  Art is an out going, communicative, and carring person who understands kids and how they feel.  Art is one of the only people in the entire school that I feel like you could go up to and talk to them about anything just like you would talk to one of your classmates.

    Art was trying to decide what to do when he was living in Lake Placid working at the ADK Community Church trying to figure out what to do about his living conditions because rent in Lake Placid is so expensive, but he really wanted to live here.  Then one Sunday after church a man from NSA came up to him and said “Hey were looking for a dorm parent and a nurse” which was perfect because his wife was just certified to become a nurse, and Art loves working with and helping kids.  “I think the one reason im at NSA is just to be me and to let you guys know that there is always someone to talk to, and that people really give a crap.  That your not just a gold medal...your a person”.

    Its amazing how good of a person Art is after the harsh life he had to deal with.  Art’s real dad left when he was two, his mom married another man when he was 2 and a half who was very abusive to him until he died in a car rec when he was nine.      His mom went to a mental institution because of depression and Art had to travel around from house to house at a very young age which lead to him to start drinking by the age of 12.

    Art had a lot of problems with drugs and alcohol that lead him to prison and rehab more than once.  “I was trying to fill a hole with all of that stuff” Art said, but that wasn’t going to work so he told me “I filled that hole with JC(Jesus Christ”.  Art believes that the role drugs played in his life was “An exceptionally painful and blessed role, I had to go there in order to get here”.  

    Religion is what really saved him.  When he was young there was a Pastor who told him that he was going to hell which turned Art off of religion.  He didn't even really get into religion until about 8 years ago.  Art was working at an apple-bees when he was in a rehab where he could go out and get a job.  One day he was leaving the rehab to go to work and made fun of these 4 addicts that were reading a bible.  After that he remembers saying “God if your so real and big why don’t you show me something today”.  That day Art went to work and the first table he went up to he said “Hey my names Art can I get you something to drink?” the man responded “Art were getting ready to pray, can we pray for you?”.  After that Art started going to a bible study everyday with this man he met at apple-bees.  

    After fighting it for a while he really got into it and ended up starting a youth program next to his house that he never used to go to.  One day before his first time ever speaking since he has never preached or anything before he was nervous sitting in the office by himself when all of a sudden a sheet of paper fell out of the cupboard.  On that paper was “Jeremiah 1” and after reading that he decided that he wanted to be a pastor.

    Before we end our conversation I asked him “Whats next for Art Summers?” and as a response i got “All school meeting...and that’s probaly the truth, one day at a time man one day at a time”.

New Student Profile: Felix Lissaker

New Student Profile:  Felix Lissaker


By: Milan Bubic

Felix Lussaker, AKA Felix the Cat, the shortest of the new European students to compete for our humble school, is a Swedish Alpine skier from Gothenburg. Leaving his little brother Isaac, his mother and father Felix comes to NSA hoping to better his English, experience America, but most of all he comes to better himself in skiing.

At a young and tender age of four, the young Swede found his true calling in Alpine Skiing. When asked his motive for coming to NSA, he simply stated, “I needed and wanted a change from Sweden. I heard good things about skiers who went this route and came out stronger and more confident then when they initially began.” Felix is proud of the fact that he was able to conger enough will power to come to Lake Placid. He finds that athletic programs in general are better structured and more disciplined then in Sweden.

Despite the fact that he misses his family, he has no complaints thus far here in Lake Placid. He was quickly acquainted with the fellow student body, he loves his massive dorm room and among other things, he gets to play some much loved European Football(soccer). Adding to the delight, living in the dorm across the hall, Torkol, a fellow Swede from the same area as himself. This added to his comfort not only because they are from the same country, they were friends before attending NSA. They share their love of House Music and DJ for the local church on select events together. Torkel, had helped him decide to come to America for schooling. They even share the same ideology when it comes to the “If stuck on Island and can only bring three things” dilemma. He would prefer the company of three good looking XX chromosome holders as opposed to having food, water and shelter. When asked if he found anything strange about America, being at a lack of words he eventually mustered the right concoction and stated that, “Americans seem to be a bit larger then Europeans, but for some reason I feel safer here then in some parts of Sweden.”

Lussaker has long waited for the opportunity to prove himself in Alpine skiing. He has done hard and intense training for some time, but has never competed at such an elite level at such a prestigious school. NSA is his chance to succeed in skiing and pursue his dreams of attending an American University. His are of interest lies in studying within the field of sports. All of his teammates and fellow students at NSA wish him the best of luck in his future sports and scholastic endeavors. If his performance, commitment and enthusiasm to date are any indication, he will achieve much success in his athletic career and will play a role in competitive skiing in the future.

New Student Profile---Aiden Kelly

Aidan Kelly

By: Celeste!

Mr. Kelly

Aidan Kelly. Some say he is a Luger, some say he is awesome, maybe a little weird, or just that kid that loves to have fun and make people smile. This six foot, 168 pound, brown haired boy joins us this year after joining the Luge Program as an eleventh grader but is that what he really has to bring to the table here at the National Sports Academy?

Mr. Kelly ventures to NSA from Long Island, but unlike our dramatic, ceiling talking other Long Islanders Kelly is normal.  I took some time out of my weekend to learn the dirt on this boy not yet a man.  Although he takes his sport very serious he orders not one but two McDoubles at the infamous McDonalds on a late Friday night. Might I mention he is suppose to loose five pounds for his sport. While sitting at a booth watching him scarf down two burgers Aidan tells me how he has seven cats! Is this boy the cat lady we are missing at NSA? He explains that the reason for the seven cats is he rescues them! If he sees a kitty running down the street he forces his mom to pull over so he can snatch it and add it to his growing family that started with four!

But, not only does this boy rescue cats he has a secret obsession with short girls that are beautiful naturally! He doesn’t understand why a girl must wear makeup to make her pretty. I asked Aidan what would be the perfect date to take a girl like this on? He said, “ 100 percent Mini- Golfing!” As he went on a explained that mini golfing could teach you a lot about a girl he hinted that it was really the only thing he was bad at! “Why would I want them to feel they suck at life?” I took some time to reflect on that comment, was it cocky, or was in nothing but sincerity? As a girl I had finally met a guy who really cared about the female species. He was willing to embarrass himself to get something he really wanted.  Kelly is not only this way with girls but with everything he does in his life! As young as Aidan is he hopes to not only bring a little variety to NSA Sports but the real culture of a Long Islander to our school, and maybe reel in a cute short girl along the way!

New Student Profile---Gwen Schultz

Gwen Schultz 

By Brandon Patraw 

Could you imagine getting hit in the head so hard, that for nine months you were not able to do anything? Imagine having to bounce back into your sport from an injury this devastating.  Gwen Schultz, a new student at National Sports Academy this year had to do so.   Gwen stated, “Even lazy people don’t go nine months without being a little active.” 

Gwen Schultz

Schultz said, “I tried staying positive but there were definitely those days of frustration.” Not only did Gwen miss a year of ice hockey, but she also missed a year of field hockey as well.  Due to Schultz’s terrible injury during her junior year,  she decided to play another year of prep school hockey before attending college.

 Schultz is 19-year-old from Wallingford Connecticut, and she is attending NSA as a PG.  Her older brother, who also plays hockey, inspired Gwen to begin playing at the age of 6. Her most memorable experience playing, was when her team went to Nationals in Boulder, Colorado.  

Shultz also has a great sense of humor, when asked, if she could be anyone in the world, who would it be? She replied with a smirk, “Definitely Celest Brown!” (One of Gwen’s teammates who also attends NSA)

Gwen is a solid, two way player, with the never give up mentality.  She feels she can contribute to her team with a positive attitude and her immense leadership skills.  She is in great shape and pushes the girls on and off the ice.  

This year, Gwen looks forward to the intensity, as this is her first year ever playing at this level. She thinks highly of National Sports Academy thus far, and plans to enjoy every moment of this year. 

New Student Profile--Torkel Bjarneman

“Torkel Snorkel”: NSA’s Favorite Swedish Goaltender

By Gwen Schultz ‘11

Torkel Bjärneman, Courtesy of Art Summers

Torkel Bjärneman, a new goaltender for the National Sports Academy Mountaineers, left his home is Gothenburg, Sweden to start his hockey career in North America this year.

Torkel, a 17-year-old junior, says he wasn’t exceptionally nervous to come to school in America. “Yes, I was a little nervous about being new,” he said, “but I was prepared.”

This kind of mental toughness will do well for him when he plays in net this season and the next for the Mountaineers. Torkel plans on heading off to an American university after two strong years of prep hockey. 

Torkel tells us that a place like NSA, with its solid combination of education and hockey, is hard to find in Sweden. He chose NSA because he liked the coach and the school seemed like a good fit.

So far, he is really enjoying his time here and says that his favorite part about the school is that, “it’s like one big family.” He tells us that there is so much going on he does not miss his home country—at least not yet.

Torkel, who has been playing hockey since age 10, had always wanted to be a goaltender. “I was a player for one week and I was nagging my coach to let me play goalie, and then finally he let me,” he explains. Because he started hockey later than most in Sweden, Torkel has been a serious hockey player since day one.

As he transitions into North American hockey, Torkel tells us he had to get used to the slightly smaller ice surface. Practices are more intense, he says, because the game is faster and he sees more frequent shots.

These days, he is proudest of being a good teammate and having the opportunity to play for NSA. He says the team has good chemistry and thinks they will have a great team this year.

Off the ice, Torkel enjoys activities such as golf, guitar, and hanging out with friends. His favorite class this year is Sport in American Culture, but says that he generally likes all of his classes.

When asked what superpower he would like to have if he had the choice, Torkel simply responded, “to be able to fly.” Hopefully he’ll be flying all over the net for the Mountaineers this year.

Faculty Profile--Dave McCahill

Dave McCahill

By Brittany Moorehead

Harvard graduate and Lake Placid native, Dave McCahill joined forces with National Sports Academy this year as a dorm parent and teacher of Environmental Science. In Dave Wenn’s, NSA’s head of school, quest for not only a dorm parent but a substitute teacher, McCahill appeared to be the answer to his never-ending  prayers. With his Nordic skiing background and his focus on Environmental Science and Public Policy in college, Dave was the perfect candidate to fill this position.

His opportunity to attend Northwood as a skier during his high school years familiarized him with and helped him to understand the demands placed on the student-athletes at NSA. He was able to balance his schoolwork while participating in his sport in high school, which carried over into college. While at Harvard University, he captained the cross-country ski team during his senior year. McCahill recognizes the benefits of being a student-athlete, such as being more prepared and developing time management skills. He is looking forward to getting to know the students really well and helping them both athletically and academically. Dave stated, “I enjoy being involved in helping kids pursue their goals.” With his positive and inspiring attitude, he should motivate the students to achieve each and every one of their goals this year.

Upon former Environmental teacher, Kelly Carter’s return from maternity leave, Dave will move on to coach ski jumping and cross-country skiing full time. 

Courtesy of Harvard Skiing
Dave McCahill - Eastern Cup Sprint.

Faculty Profile--Chris Curley

New Assistant Coach; Chris Curley

By: Jon Symons

“I came to NSA to help kids,” says Chris Curley “learn more about hockey so they don’t make the same mistakes I made as a player and also to see them move on to the next level and help better them as people.”  

Chris played Junior B in Cardinal, Ontario in the Eastern Ontario Junior B hockey League or EOJBHL, where he played under the coach Rod Simmons.

In high school, Chris played hockey, golf, baseball, and soccer. He chose hockey because it was his favorite sport.

He came from a big family and he wouldn’t have it any other way because there was always something going on. He has an older brother that played four years of division 1 hockey and two years of semi-pro. With all of that ahead of him, he says that there is no sibling rivalry nor jealousy between them. “The hardest part about following my brother to NSA is trying to make my own identity after succeeding him with all of his accomplishments.” He says his biggest accomplishment in life was graduating from college. 

His hockey career led him to come to NSA. It was because of his playing under coach Simmons that had him come here for this year. For the time being, he plans to stick around NSA.

Athletic Results---Boys Hockey

Boys’ first hockey game

By: Frédérick Hallé

LACONIA-

The National Sports Academy boys’ Mountaineers lost their first preseason game, 6 to 2 visiting the Leafs. However the score does not indicate how the game went. Intensity and fights were definitely there. 24 players were in uniform on Saturday night.

Four of the Leafs’ goals were scored in the first period and most of NSA’s youngest guys did well even though they didn’t get much ice time due to a stormy start in the second period. Mountaineers being outshot, goalie Torkel Bjärneman from Sweden saw a lot of rubber. On the other end, Sam Bloom  made the goalie look blind with a rocket top shelf and Alex Fukes, pushed both, the goalie and the puck into the net.

Not in the lineup, due to a shoulder injury, both Tyler Simmons and Lincoln Green-Vamos were not dress and half way into the first, unlucky Brock Tucker got a knee injury. Also, goalie Eric Goneau was absent.

A couple of guys saw their first and second fight when Captain Dylan McDiarmid was surprised when a Leafs guy turned around at his blue line and dropped the mitts. McDiarmid didn’t refuse and he did really well against the 20 year old man. Later in the third, the smallest defenseman at 5’9’’, Fred Halle took gloves and helmet off in the offense zone.

Coach Simmons did a couple of changes through the game by bringing Alex Enholm to center for the second and Halle for the third, both good offensive defensemen.

Only after two weeks we can say that both captains Simmons and McDiarmid made a great effort to bring the troop together for a good early team chemistry.

Next games in Lake Placid on October 1^st at 8pm and 2^nd at 1:15 pm while parents weekend will be on. Both games will be played against College of St. Foy (CEGEP) from Quebec.

Student Profile--Aaron Taylor

Aaron Taylor

by Kathryn Dawson

 

 

Aaron’s 2^nd place run at Canadian Nationals

You’ve probably seen Aaron Taylor crutching around NSA this year, but what else do you know about him? For starters, his first name is really James and he came to NSA for the winter last year because he realized, “if I wanted to go hard at skiing, I had to go to an academy.”

            Aaron is from Hamilton, Ontario and has been skiing since he was two years old. He used to ski with his sister, who’s now 17.

“My dad got me into [racing]” Aaron explained, “because my parents wanted time on their own and racing kept us busy.”           

            “I came to a 1-week camp here a couple of years ago” he said, “I came winter term because I knew some people were coming here then, like the Martens.”

His favorite part of NSA is training in the morning, and his favorite class is Algebra II.

            Aaron produced some stellar results last year, most impressively a 1^st place GS run at the Junior Olympics and a 2^nd place in the GS at the K2 Canadian Championships. He ended his excellent season by qualifying for the Whistler Cup. Despite his notable GS results, Aaron said he likes all the disciplines in skiing equally.

Aaron is a versatile athlete; he plays soccer, bikes and even played hockey from age 8 until last year. The aforementioned crutches actually resulted from a soccer accident that broke Aaron’s left tibia and fibula. Luckily, he should be off his crutches in a few weeks and can resume training for a promising year as a JII, the division for 15- and 16-year-olds. 

This season, Aaron hopes to get a good base for his points. After high school, he’s aiming to ski for a good university and make the Ontario ski team.

Guest Speaker Profile

Sport Psychologist Dr. Cheryl Stuntz Talks Motivation to NSA Students

By Gwen Schultz ‘11

Dr. Cheryl Stuntz
Courtesy of St. Lawrence University

Lake Placid, N.Y.— The National Sports Academy student body gathered last Friday to listen to sport psychologist Dr. Cheryl Stuntz give a talk about strategies for enhancing motivation.

Dr. Stuntz, a psychology professor at St. Lawrence University, majored in chemistry and psychology at Bowdoin College and holds a doctorate in sport psychology from the University of Virginia.

Her interest in psychology came along by chance; at one point in her time at Bowdoin, a course in psychology was the only thing that would fit into her schedule. A life-long competitive swimmer and water polo player, Stuntz pursued a career in what interested her the most.

When asked about the biggest challenge for motivating student-athletes, our speaker said, “The biggest problem is that people set up their own barriers.” She stresses that we are our own biggest supporters, and what we think to ourselves has a huge impact on our performance.

Currently, Dr. Stuntz works mainly with serious college athletes but says that the strategies she talks about would work for anyone. Her simple yet sometimes challenging techniques for improving athletic performance will no doubt benefit student-athletes at NSA who commit themselves to trying them.

Stuntz’s work is centered on the role social relationships play in sports and how they affect performance, and she is currently studying lifestyle predictors of physical activity and motivation. 

Journalism Style Sheet

Journalism Post Style Sheet

by Luke Hudak

Headline: 20 Point Times New Roman Font, Bold

byline: 10 Point Times New Roman, Italicized

Body: 12 Point Times New Roman, Justified

Captions: 10 Point Times New Roman, Bold

All colors black, except for charts, etc.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Mountaineer Minutes.  Here you will find student writing about all things related to the National Sports Academy.  Be sure to check back often to read about your favorite student athletes!