Gray New Gloucester senior Kaelyn Woods continued her championship successes this year. She won the Class B Classical race by 25 seconds and she also won the Class B 
Freestyle race by 45 seconds. She was also state champion last year and competed at the Junior Nationals in Wisconsin a few weeks ago. We caught up with Kaelyn and asked her about training and her goals.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?There was a lot of off season training leading up to the state meet. I spent a lot of time training with Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) during the summer and into the early fall, and then trained with the GNG ski team once the season began. Being able to getquality time on snow was key this winter, since there was a lack of it.. I also wanted to make sure I was healthy throughout the season and leading up to the state meet so I could perform my best.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I try not think much about the pressure and emotion that comes along with competing in a state meet. I focus on what I can do to make sure I am the best prepared for the race and my competition. Trying to stay positive and have fun with the pressure of the state meets is also another way of dealing with it, it really takes a load off. 3) What is your favorite thing about ski racing?
4) Coming into the season, what were your goals and did you achieve them?
Coming into the season, I wanted to defend my state championship titles. I had been training with a lot of the girls I was competing against in the state meets, during the summer and early fall months and I knew that this task would not be that easy. I did achieve my goals, but wouldn’t have achieved these goals without the support of my friends, family, and coaches.
5) You have had an amazing high school nordic race career: what do you contribute this success to?
Most of my success can be contributed to my countless coaches over the last four years. Jeff McEvoy, my high school coach for the past four years and even years before that, has always been incredibly supportive of all my goals and has always pushed me to be the best person and athlete I can be. All of my coaches at MWSC the past three years have taught me so much about skiing and how to achieve goals that I didn’t think we attainable. They always believe in me, and help me reach the goals that I want to during the season. I can’t forget about all of my friends and family that are always so incredibly supportive of my skiing career. My ski friends are always there when I need a waxing partner, or someone to go on a long ski with even after it has just rained and there is virtually no snow left.
6) What are your plans for next year?
My plans for next year are to continue my education and skiing at Bates College!