The joys of high school athletics include long practices, weekend road trips and countless hours finishing homework, trying to maintain the all-important GPA. Then try juggling, not one, but two, sports in the same season. This is reality for junior Jessica Ford. Ford not only is a member of the Flathead High swim team, but is a standout cross-country skier on the Inter Mountain Northern ski team. “It’s hard to do both,” said Ford. “Last season I really had a hard time.” Ford’s most recent race at the Junior National Qualifiers in McCall, Idaho, looked to be one of her better races with a 10th place finish on the first day, but Ford had to settle for 12th place due to a broken pole on the second day. Despite her problems, Ford feels that finish will put her in good standing for the March Junior National Tournament, held on the same course. “This is where nationals is going to be,” said Ford of the McCall course. “It’s nice to have racing experience on it.” “This is where nationals is going to be,” said Ford of the McCall course. “It’s nice to have racing experience on it.” According to Ford, the United States Ski Association takes each skier’s top three times and averages them, with the top 10 percent advancing. “Normally, placing through sixth place is good,” said Ford. Ford realizes the problems that arise during competition play an important role in the final outcomes. Ford suffers from a condition called Exercise Enduced Asthma, which can become a major factor in races. “It’s not too bad in the lower elevations,” said Ford. “But in the high elevations, I have to be really careful.” At an event previous to the Nacal race in Sun Valley, Idaho, Ford ran into problems with the elevation since Sun Valley sits at 6,000 feet. “The first day my inhaler froze, it was very scary,” said Ford. “I really have to be careful in the higher elevations.” The winter season is very intense for Ford, who endures many days that stretch up to 14 hours of activity. During the week, she wakes up in time to arrive at the 5:30 a.m. swim team practice at The Summit and then attends six classes at FHS. Then she heads up to Whitefish, where she skis for two hours before returning home by 7 p.m. With the countless hours training, Ford is a self-motivated athlete, and is inspired by the vast improvements she’s made in skiing over the past 11 years. “The races have been great, I’ve improved a whole lot this year,” said Ford. “I can see improvements every time I race.” Just as the swimming and skiing practices fall on the same days, so do the competitions. Ford has had success in both sports this season, including two first-place finishes and impressive results in the 50-meter free style races. With this season’s success, Ford is faced with the difficult decision of deciding which event is more important. “It depends on how big the (swim) meets are,” said Ford. “This season I’ve been skiing a lot.” So what does the future hold for this Flathead multiple-sport-in-the-same-season athlete? Said Ford: “I hope to ski in college; we’ll just have to see what happens.” |
