Armstrong's Rudd leads team, sister to Nordic state meet

Armstrong Nordic skier Hannah Rudd took first place at the Section 6 meet last Monday at Theodore Wirth Park.

Rudd led her team to the section championship and a spot in the Nordic skiing state meet on Thursday at Giants Ridge.

Rudd finished 14th at state last season as a freshman. Her seventh-grade sister, Leah, will join her at state this year as part of the Armstrong team.

University of Minnesota student reporter Nate Gotlieb talked with Rudd last week about her skiing career, her plans for after high school and more.

Q: How does it feel to have your sister going to state with you?

A: It's very exciting having my sister come with me, especially because she's in seventh grade. It's fun to have the whole family up there, and I know she's going to do really good.

Q: How was state last year?

Q: How were you feeling the night before state last year?

A: I went up with one other girl from my team, and we were freaked out, but it ended up turning out well.

Q: What did you work on this offseason?

A: All summer long, I was roller skiing and working on my speed and strength with a club called Loppet Nordic Racing.

Q: What were your goals coming into the season?

Q: What is the team's plan for the state meet?

A: Go up there and treat it like any other race. Give it 100 percent, and if we do that, then results will come.

Q: How long have you skied for?

A: I started out when I was probably 2 or 3 years old.

Q: How'd you get into it?

Q: What are your memories of skiing when you were younger?

A: Skiing with my friends when I was little and playing games on our skis.

Q: Do you have a pre-race routine?

A: The night before, we carb up, we eat lots of pasta. The morning of, we do a warm-up ski, make sure we know where the course goes and do some pickups [short intervals].

Q: What do you like to do besides ski?

Q: Have you thought about your plans for after high school?

A: I'm looking at different colleges. I'm also considering taking a year and doing full-time ski training.

Q: Will you watch the Olympic cross-country skiing?

A: I'll definitely be watching if they show it.

Q: Do you have a favorite skier?

Q: What's it like having your mom as a coach?

A: She's a really good coach, and she knows what she's doing. She's helped our team improve a lot the past year.

Q: How'd your sister react to making state?