By Shaun Petipas Special to UNHWildcats.com
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2020 graduate Bryce Hartman (Saranac Lake, N.Y.) made an impact on the UNH nordic ski team and was a strong leader as he was named a co-captain as a senior. His time at UNH contributed in shaping him into the person that he is today. The four-year journey was an experience he will never forget as he took the time to reflect and share his experiences he had at UNH.
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 A SECOND FAMILY
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UNH and the skiing team was like a second family to Hartman in his four years at UNH and the experience will last him a lifetime.
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"My time at UNH meant everything to me. I was extremely lucky to spend four years with such amazing teammates, classmates, coaches, fellow athletes and everyone in between. It was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything else. The people I met and the experiences I had meant the world to me."
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For Hartman it was an easy decision to attend UNH.
 "I chose UNH because of skiing and how close the team was with each other. I remember on my first visit feeling very comfortable in Durham and could easily picture myself fitting in with the ski team."
Hartman was also named a team co-captain alongside friend and teammate Will Bodewes.
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"Being a co-captain was a great experience and it was fun to serve the role alongside Will. We were roommates for three out of four years at UNH and this allowed us to be very cohesive with the team. I gained a lot of leadership and organization skills that will stay with me."
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LIFE OF A STUDENT-ATHLETE
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When Hartman thinks back to his time at UNH it may seem a bit hectic and crazy but it's something that he is going to miss.
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"It was always a crazy balancing act. Being in the athletic training program and having to balance clinical rotations, classes, practice and schoolwork was always a crazy time but the work was very rewarding. Both skiing and the athletic training program brought me very close to UNH athletics. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a student athletic trainer with the women's' basketball, men's and women's XC and track and field, swimming and diving and ski teams. I am going to miss spending 6-7 hours a day at the field house and seeing the athletes every day in the Athletic Training Room."
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Hartman with his fellow Athletic Training students
With so many different responsibilities for Hartman he had to learn how to get over the obstacles in his way and to enjoy the things he has.
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"One of the biggest things I learned at UNH was how to persevere through tough times. Whether it's a week of many exams, a tough race season or a pandemic, I've weathered lots of storms over my four years and that's something I'll take with me my whole life. UNH has taught me to manage my time, work hard at everything in front of me and maybe most importantly, enjoy the time spent with the people around you."
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It wasn't just being at UNH that was special to Hartman. One of his favorite road trips was during his freshman year to Park City, Utah.
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"One of my favorite trips at UNH was my freshman year when we did half of our winter training camp in Park City, Utah. This was my first-time skiing and racing in Utah and getting to do that with my teammates was a ton of fun. I'll never forget the hours of Netflix binging in-between ski sessions and racing for the first time in a UNH race suit."
As much as Hartman loved the Utah trip nothing could compare to the Williams Carnival this past winter.
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"My favorite Carnival was the Williams Carnival this past winter. Due to snow conditions, the races were moved to the ski venue I grew up skiing and racing at in New York. Getting to race on my home course with family, friends and old ski coaches watching and cheering was something very special to me. To top it off, I was on the team that claimed second place in the 3x5 km relay. This was our first men's relay podium in 5 plus years and to be a part of it was very special."
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WHAT HE WILL MISS
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As Hartman has moved on to his next chapter in life, he will never forget the teammates, coaches, classmates and memories he made at UNH
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"I am going to miss my teammates, classmates in the AT program, my coaches, other athletes at UNH, the Athletic Training staff and everyone else in New Hampshire Hall and the Field House. I'm also going to miss Durham as well."
Hartman, who plans on pursuing a career in athletic training, has one final message to his classmates.
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"Thank you for a great four years. I am very excited to see how successful everyone ends up being. I look forward to reuniting in the coming years!"
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Please check back to UNHWildcats.com as we continue our Senior Reflections series.
