We next spotlight Clara White of Orono. She was the 2024 Class C Classical and Freestyle Nordic state champion. We asked her about her goals for next year, what she was thinking about at the start, and more.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
Leading up to the state meet, I was mostly just looking forward to racing with all of the athletes from across the state, and I was excited to see what our team could accomplish.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I just tried to keep everything as fun as possible. My family and teammates were very helpful with this, and by just focusing on doing well for the team, it gave me a good goal to work towards.
3) What was going through your mind at the start?
On the start line, I was trying to just remember that I was doing this for my teammates, especially because the other girls on the team are seniors, and it was also their last race.
4) What do you contribute your success to?
We next spotlight state champion Brooke Boone of Yarmouth. She was both the 2024 Class B Slalom and Giant Slalom state champion. We asked her about her success, some season surprises, and more.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?Laps at Sugarloaf and Pleasant.2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?My hard work in the gym and training on the hill allowed me to stay relaxed knowing I had prepared myself for races.
3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate?I spend as little time at the start gate as possible, as my coaches and teammates can attest to I get there at the last second, jump in, and go.4) What do you contribute your success to?Keegan Lathrop- State Champion Spotlight
- Details
We now begin spotlighting every individual state champion in slalom, giant slalom, classical, and freestyle. We asked the state champions some questions. We begin with Cape Elizabeth senior Keegan Lathrop. He was the 2024 Class B Slalom state champion. We asked him about his state meet preparations, his favorite moment from the season, and more.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
Last year I was distracted from skiing in my pursuit of playing college lacrosse. This year those distractions were behind me and I made it a point to keep the skis under my feet every weekend. My enthusiasm for skiing escalated when my brothers were home from college for Christmas break. As college athletes they hadn’t been allowed to ski in the past but this year they were given the green light and we made sure to rip around the mountain like the good old days.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
With it being my last year of racing, the pressure was significant knowing that all three of my brothers (Devon, Killian, and Tiernan) have been on top of the podium and I have not. I had to ignore those thoughts since the talent and success of several racers in Class B would likely only give me a tiny window of opportunity. My primary focus in training leading up to the state meet was to stay upright and hopefully put down a fast run to help Cape Elizabeth win the state meet.
3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate?
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