Todd Rose | Daily Press The United States National Natural Luge Team stands for a picture in the Daily Press in Escanaba office Dec. 16. From left to rifgth: Katie Cookman, Torrey Cookman, Head Coach Keith Whitman, Zane Farnsworth and Kurt Bates. Not pictured is Henry Anderson.

Today, as many prepare for Christmas weekend, the young athletes of the United States Natural Luge Team depart to Munich, Germany to represent their country on the world’s natural luging stage.

Senior Team member Zane Farnsworth of Marquette, along with Junior Team members Torrey Cookman, Katie Cookman and Kurt Bates, all of Marquette and Henry Anderson of Appleton, Wis., once abroad will compete in World Championship and World Cup races throughout Europe in December, January and February.

“Zane Farnsworth, Torrey Cookman, Henry Anderson and Katie Cookman, who were members of the team in 2020, along with Kurt Bates who earned a spot on the team this year, were selected based on their excellent sliding ability and dedication to the sport,” said United States Natural Track Luge Team Coach Keith Whitman of Escanaba.

While Torrey Cookman and Henry Anderson had the chance to compete internationally prior to 2020 – the team chose to forego travel amid COVID-19 last season – Zane Farnsworth, Katie Cookman and Kurt Bates will all be heading across the Atlantic to compete for the first time.

The team, overall, is excited to get to Europe, though the new experience of traveling across the Atlantic Ocean is daunting for some of the first-timers.

“We’re psyched, I’m psyched,” said Torrey Cookman. “Just counting down the days.”

Bates, too, is excited but nervous. “I’m a little bit scared honestly,” Bates said. “Going overseas for the first time, it’ll be a good experience to go over there.”

Senior team member Farnsworth quoted his teammate Torrey Cookman by stating, “I’m psyched as Torrey would say,” with a chuckle.

“Obviously, it’s a little overwhelming,” Farnsworth continued. “There’s a lot that’s going to be going on when we get over there, but I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. So, I’m looking forward to it.”

Katie Cookman, like Bates, has mixed emotions about the trip.

“I think it’s a really great opportunity that we get to have,” Katie Cookman said. “I’m psyched, but I’m also scared because it will be my first time over there, but I’m really excited for this opportunity.”

By staying home last season, the team was able to explore all the sections – from bottom to top – of the Lucy Hill course in Negaunee they call home in the early months of this year. While they have begun track prep for this season, there has not been any sliding recently as the team has continued their physical regimen to stay in shape.

The additional experience of sliding from the top of Lucy Hill will be a major benefit to the lugers come competition time.

“The upper part of the track at Lucy Hill is more technical, so I think it will portray more of what the track in Europe will be like,” said Katie Cookman. “So, it has really prepared us a lot better for the tracks in Europe and the races to come.”

Speaking from experience, Torrey Cookman also chimed in.

“I would add, too, that the upper portion of our track is really similar to the harder tracks in Europe,” he said. “So, by us being able to train and slide on that upper portion, we go over much more well prepared than just sliding on the bottom half.”

As they have done in the past at Lucy Hill, the team will learn the European courses in segments before taking them on in one complete run.

Outside of competition, Bates notes the differences in culture as something he is excited about.

“The culture there is going to be way different than here, so it’s going to be a little time to get used to. But, that’s what I’m most looking forward to,” Bates said.

While the Junior Team of the Torrey Cookman, Katie Cookman, Anderson and Bates will stick together, Farnsworth will be going solo to compete as a Senior Team member. Like Bates, he was excited for the chance to submerge himself in the culture.

“I am really looking forward to meeting new people,” Farnsworth said. I’m also excited to be able to just see massive amounts of different environments that I probably won’t get a chance to see again.”

As representatives of the United States on and off the track, the team understands the honor and pressure that comes with that responsibility.

“It’s a high honor to be representing the United States overseas,” said Bates. “Usually, most people don’t get to do that. So, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is just great.”

The nervousness of the honor, however, will subside once they touchdown in Munich, said Torrey Cookman.

“Once we’re over there, we can just be excited and go into everything with a smile,” Torrey Cookman said. “It really says a lot about the U.S. but also represents our program really well.”

Whitman has confidence in his team to fulfill their duties in competition as well as United States representatives.

“They’ve done very well, and they will make our country very proud,” Whitman said. “They’re very good athletes and very good people.”

The members of the Junior Team will be in action until Feb. 6, while Farnsworth of the Senior Team will stay over in Europe until March 1.

They will be regularly updating fans on their journey on their Facebook page, U.S. Natural Track Luge Team, as well as their Instagram page of the same name.