We will next spotlight senior Alden Reardon of Fort Kent. He was the 2026 Class C Classical state champion, freestyle state champion,
and pursuit state champion. Alden won every single MPA Nordic race during his four years at Fort Kent. We asked him about his great successes and his plans for next year.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
A couple of days before the state meet, we did some quick intervals, then the day before the state meet, we skied the course and looked at all of the turns and hills and discussed how we could ski them durning the race.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
For any race, I think some nerves help me to compete better, but too much can be bad. To deal with them, I think back to the training that I've done over the course of the year and how it has prepared me for the race.
3) What was going through your mind at the start?
3) What was going through your mind at the start?
At the start of the classic race, I was making sure my skis weren't icing before the start, and on the skate day, I was making sure I didn't miss my start time.
4) You won every single MPA high school Nordic race since your freshman year. What do you contribute your success to?
4) You won every single MPA high school Nordic race since your freshman year. What do you contribute your success to?
I think that continuing with training in the summer and fall is important, along with having great coaches and teammates who make going to practice every day very fun.
5) What are your goals/plans for next year?
5) What are your goals/plans for next year?
Next year, I will be going to Maine Maritime Academy to study Marine Engineering Technology.
6) What surprised you the most about this season?
6) What surprised you the most about this season?
This year, I was surprised by how well our team did, with two new members and one who had never skied before. It was great to see how much better they got throughout the season.
7) What moment/event will you remember the most from the season?
7) What moment/event will you remember the most from the season?
I will remember the state race the most since it was really fun to do another big race on our home course, and it was really exciting too.
8) What do you like most about Nordic Skiing?
I like skiing even when not racing or training, and I also love being with teammates and coaches and having fun on skis.
