Our next state champion spotlght is Tiernan Lathrop of Cape Elizabeth. Tiernan won the 2022 MPA Class B Slalom at Black Mtn. We asked him about his plans for
next year and his favorite memories.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
My preparation was actually very limited. I started my training on the first weekend of January, normally I start on the first week of December. That just gave me one month of training every weekend at loaf. In the end, it’s was just a 1 run 30 second slalom course to win a state championship, how much preparation do I really need hahaha.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I deal with the pressure through knowing I am as trained as I can be at that very moment and don’t overthink it, it’s just high school…
3) What was going through your mind at the start knowing that the snow conditions were challenging?
I was so juiced up on caffeine and adrenaline that I forgot all about the course. I just knew what I was either making it down the course with a win or wasn’t making it down at all. Funny thing was mid way through the course I thought I was screwed and there was no chance I was winning, so I just decided to run it as straight as possible. Worked out I guess.
4) What are some of your best memories from ski racing this past season?
First favorite ski moment is probably got to be “getting my mojo back” in slalom. You know where everything just clicking, you know no matter the run, your winning. Second, was hanging with fellow ski racers that I’ve raced with since the every beginning, and just knowing this could be one of the last moments I got of this.
5) If you are a senior, what are your plans for next year?
I will be joining my older brother, Killian, at Bryant University to play some Division 1 Lacrosse. ROLL DAWGS
6) What were your goals for this season and did you achieve them? What led to all of your success?
My goal this season was to continue the Lathrop legacy with another individual state championship win. (A Lathrop has won at least one individual state championship every year for the past 7 years).
And what led me to this success?
My dad told me I didn’t deserve to win a states because I was slacking off this winter (which I was). Well, that was what was boiling up inside me the entire week before. But THANK YOU Father for the past 10 years of my ski racing you had to deal with: hours of sharpening my skis, watching me fall after you just paid for the race, driving hours to races, coaching me and so on.
7) Anything else that you would like to add?
Spring time is where all the fun happens: I’ll be spending my time spring skiing and helping Cape run Maine lacrosse. Peace out ski racing