Here is the revised HTML with the participation and race-eligibility requirements incorporated:

Student-athletes are expected to participate consistently in team training to remain active members of the team and to be eligible to race.

Season Calendar of Training and Events: https://cmunordic.org/events/teamcalendar 

Minimum Training Participation Requirements

To remain an active member of the CMU Cross Country Ski Team, each student-athlete must complete:

  • At least three organized team training sessions per week.
  • Sessions may include any combination of strength training, running, rollerskiing, skiing, team fitness activities, or other coach-approved training.
  • At least one session each week must be an endurance session, such as running, rollerskiing, or skiing.
  • At least one session each week must be a strength-training session.

Race Eligibility

To be eligible to race, a student-athlete must:

  • Meet the minimum training participation requirement during the two weeks before the race.
  • Participate in at least four organized team training sessions during race week, unless fewer than four sessions are offered.
  • Complete all required preseason and on-snow preparation.
  • Be medically cleared and current with all team, university, and Club Sports requirements.

Student-athletes who do not meet the minimum requirements may continue participating with the team but may not race until they complete two consecutive weeks of the required training participation.

Podium-Athlete Exemption

Athletes who have demonstrated podium-level competitive performance may be exempted by the coach from the minimum weekly participation requirement. These athletes are still expected and strongly encouraged to participate in some team training sessions, activities, camps, and team-building opportunities.

This exemption recognizes that experienced, high-performing athletes may follow individualized training plans. It does not exempt an athlete from medical clearance, team communication, conduct standards, required meetings, or other university and team responsibilities.

Excused Absences, Injuries, and Modified Training

Illness, injury, academic conflicts, work obligations, and other legitimate circumstances may be excused when communicated to the coach in advance whenever possible.

Modified training prescribed or approved by a physical therapist, athletic trainer, CMU Sports Medicine physician, or other qualified medical provider will count toward participation when completed as assigned.

Any student-athlete who is unable to participate fully because of an injury must follow the rehabilitation and modified-training plan established by their physical therapist, athletic trainer, and CMU Sports Medicine physician. Consistent participation in the prescribed rehabilitation plan is required to remain eligible for the team.

A student-athlete who is unable to train and does not follow the prescribed rehabilitation plan may be removed from the team, subject to applicable university policies and approved medical accommodations.

Fall training schedule:

  • Monday, 6:30 am: strength training, CMU Maverick Center
  • Tuesday: trail or road run
  • Wednesday, 6:30 am: strength training, CMU Maverick Center
  • Thursday: rollerskiing or run
  • Friday: team fitness activity or game

All organized gym and strength-training sessions are held in the morning at 6:30 am. The team does not offer afternoon gym sessions.

On-Snow Ski Skills and Endurance Training

Once snow begins falling on Grand Mesa, typically in early November, the team will replace some running and strength-training sessions with skiing sessions focused on skill development and muscular endurance.

Most cardiovascular endurance training will continue at lower elevations in town and throughout the valley. At approximately 10,000 feet above sea level, athletes generally do not have the same capacity for sustained cardiovascular training that they have at lower elevations.

Explanation of terms: Muscular endurance refers to the ability of the muscles to work continuously without excessive fatigue. Cardiovascular endurance refers to the ability of the heart and lungs to deliver oxygen to working muscles during sustained activity.