Richfield's Beaudet in Good Company at State

It’s not every year that the boys nordic ski team send an individual to the state meet. Coach Steven Mills estimates it has been five or six seasons since the last Spartans skier made the trip.

So when the black van with “Go Zak!” prominently displayed on the side windows pulled up outside the RHS gymnasium on Wednesday morning, Mills couldn’t help but smile.

“Look at this,” Mills said. “That’s awesome.”

The transportation paid tribute to Richfield senior Zak Beaudet, the hard-working captain who will compete Thursday at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, MN. He’ll compete in the state 5-kilometer freestyle race at 11 a.m., followed by the 5-kilometer classical race at 2:30 p.m.

Beaudet, making his first trip to the state meet, qualified after years of disciplined practice and a dedication to succeed, Mills said.

“To be a good nordic skier you have to have an incredible amount of focus and self discipline,” Mills said. “Self discipline is critical because you have to train on your own, you have to train while it’s cold, you’ve got to train when you don’t feel like it. You ask [Beaudet] to do something, he does it.”

For Beaudet, the trip is special in two-fold. For one, he has the honor of representing his school at a state tournament. But perhaps what makes this week’s event most special is he’s able to compete with his close friend and fellow captain, Jon Moreno, by his side.

Beaudet and Moreno have been working side-by-side for three years honing their skiing craft, and this week they’ll get to work together at a state competition.

“It’s awesome,” Beaudet said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I could have one other person come up with me, it would be Jon.”

Moreno, who narrowly missed a trip to state himself, said he can’t wait to help Beaudet prepare any way he can.

“I’m actually really excited,” Moreno said. “We’re captains, both of us, and I’m there for support. I’ll warm up with him, and I’ll do whatever I can to help him at the competition.”

Of course, this week’s experience is built on hours of year-round training.

Mills said in order to qualify for state a skier must be competitive in both the skate and classic techniques and he said it’s a credit to Beaudet’s work ethic in the off seasons that he was able to qualify for state.

“You have to put your time in—summer roller skiing, training in the fall,” Mills said. “Zak is a pretty accomplished cross-country runner. When you com into the season and you’re not in shape, you  have a hard time catching up.”

Now, with the hard work as a foundation, Beaudet has a chance to compete for a state title. And he’s doing it with a strong support group by his side.

“It feels pretty good,” Beaudet said. “It’s a pretty cool experience to be able to go. I’m really excited to do it and to have Jon with.”