A Terrace snowboarder has launched herself from the virtual unknown to become the only northern member of the 2011/2012 BC Provincial Snowboard Cross team.
And 16-year-old Cassie Wreggitt said it is very exciting going from zero to 60.
“It was really exciting, it was a big deal,” Wreggitt said. She explains that she didn’t have the racing requirements to try out for the team, having not participated in the Snowboard Cross provincial series.
According to Wreggitt’s mother, Darcie Buller, they just sent out inquiries on how to get Cassie involved and were told she was welcome to come to Whistler to try out for the team.
“She parachuted in at quite a high level,” Buller said.
Having only ever competed locally, Wreggitt had no idea what the level of competition would be like during the two-day tryouts.
“I thought I was going to be a little out of my league,” she said.
However, her worry proved unfounded as Wreggitt said the coaches seemed fairly impressed with her abilities and a week after the tryouts she received an email inviting her to join the team.
“Apparently they liked me,” Wreggitt said.
Wreggitt said making the provincial team will offer her many opportunities, one being exposure to a high-level of coaching and another the chance to compete internationally.
This experience will be necessary for Wreggitt’s next goal, which is to try out for the Snowboard Cross National team.
Wreggitt is also a level one coach with the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors and said she clocked in 53 days on the slopes of Shames Mountain this year.
“In winter I don’t have friends, I am up at the ski hill, it’s my life,” Wreggitt said.
“My goal right now is to really focus on my riding,” she added, explaining she plans to push this experience as far as it will go.
Wreggitt will next head to a training camp in June where she will receive evaluations on her skill level as well as a fitness and nutrition plan to keep her in shape over the summer.
She will learn more of what is in store after the team meets again in September to discuss winter plans.