And that concludes our state champion spotlights. We interviewed every single state champion in Alpine and in Nordic for each class. We interviewed 14 state champions. Here are links to each interview spotlight: Alex Gordon--State Champion Spotlight | Merrik Iacozili-State Champion Spotlight | Lucy Huggett--State Champion Spotlight | Jack Borland--State Champion Spotlight | Evelyn LaCasse--State Champion Spotlight | Alden Reardon--State Champion Spotlight | Lily Boulanger--State Champion Spotlight | Tristan Riley--State Champion Spotlight | Tucker Barnaby--State Champion Spotlight | Reed Michaud--State Champion Spotlight | Clara White--State Champion Spotlight | Margo Hesson--State Champion Spotlight | Hazel Martin--State Champion Spotlight | Rowan Barry--State Champion Spotlight
We next spotlight senior Rowan Barry of Greely. She was the 202 Class B freestyle state champion. We asked her about her plans for
next year and her state meet preparations.
We will now spotlight Hazel Martin of Marshwood. She was the 2026 Class A slalom state champion. We asked her about what
surprised her this season and about her favorite moment from the season.
We will now spotlight senior Margo Hesson of Falmouth. She was the 2026 Class A giant slalom state champion. We asked her about
her plans for next year and about the state meet emotions.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
As a team, we had done a lot of training at Lost Valley. I was making sure to attend those practices to sharpen my skills, keep a good headspace, and eat/sleep well.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
With the modified race schedule this year, it was definitely pressure added knowing I only had one chance each race to achieve a good placement. But I honestly just tried to perceive it as an advantage because I know I’m a first-run racer, and the new schedule supports that. So I reminded myself that the format played to my strengths, which helped me stay calm and confident.
3) What was going through your mind at the start?
We will now spotlight senior Clara White of Orono. She was the 2026 Class C Classical state champion, freestyle state champion and the pursuit
state champion. She also competed for team New England at Junior Nationals. We asked her about her successes and her plans for next year.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
Heading into the state meet, I was primarily focused on resting and recovering well since I had been racing quite intensely for the past few weeks, as well as enjoying the last practices with my teammates.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
In order to take off some of the pressures of big races, I like to remind myself of how lucky I am to be able to race with so many great athletes and people around me.
3) What was going through your mind at the start?
We will next spotlight Reed Michaud of Fort Kent. He was the 2026 Class B giant slalom state champion and helped his team win the Class B
Alpine state title. We asked him about his thoughts at the start line and his most memorable moment from the season.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
My preparations were to continue my training routine and prep my skis. Because the shoutouts for the Maine team were really close to states, I had to do a lot of preparation on the road, which made it difficult.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
One way that I deal with pressure and emotions on race day is by listening to music and having a good course inspection. Music makes me calm and relaxed so that I can focus on the course and the challenges that come along with it.
3) What was going through your mind at the start?
We will next spotlight Tucker Barnaby of Fryeburg Academy. He was the 2026 Class A slalom state champion. We asked him about what
surprised him this season and what he likes the most about Alpine skiing.
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
I trained hard with courses that were much more technical than the courses that I have seen so
that when I got to the state meet the course felt easier.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I just thought of it as just another race and tried to not think of it as something super big. I also knew I had a whole team on my side and we would win and lose as a whole team not just me.
3) What was going through your mind at the start?
We next spotlight Tristan Riley of Maranacook. He was the 2026 Class B slalom state champion. He also won the MVC giant slalom
title. We asked him about what surprised him this season and his reaction to winning the state slalom title.
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