Maine High School Skiing

Kayley Bell - State Champion Spotlight

Details: Published: Tuesday, 04 April 2023 06:53

We now spotlight senior Kayely Bell of Caribou. She won the 2023 Class B Classical, Freestyle, and Pursuit titles. Her freestyle time was the fastest in the state regardless of class. She was also the Aroostook County champion. We asked her about competing in the state meet and what surprised her this season.

1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet? My preparations leading up to the state meet were to really work on my technique and Kayley Bell just staying focused on the upcoming races.

2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet? Having the state meet in Fort Kent was really comforting knowing that I had raced on the course before. I was just so excited to see all of my friends from other teams and compete against some amazing racers.

3) What was going through your mind at the start? At the start, I was thinking about how much I enjoyed the course and how much fun it was going to be.

4) What do you contribute your success to? I contribute my success to working really hard all season long. I also know that summer training was a big part of getting me ready for the state meet. I added more roller skiing to my regular summer training and continued to roller ski during my cross-country season.

5) What are your goals/plans for next year?

Alden Reardon - State Champion Spotlight

Details: Published: Monday, 03 April 2023 06:51

We next spotlight freshman Alden Reardon of Fort Kent. He won the 2023 Class C Classical, Freestyle, and Pursuit titles. He helped his team win the team title. We asked him about his season and his thinking at the starting line. D6D378C2 5091 4C92 89D8 D6F80D9EAD84 1

1. What were your preparations leading up to the state meet? Before the race, we had consistent practices and we focused on the harder parts of the course.

2. How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet? I didn't feel any bad nerves or pressure before the race. I was just nervous enough to stay focused.

3. What was going through your mind at the starting line? At the start of the classic race, I was paying close attention to make sure that my skis were not going to get iced up. On the day of the skate race, I was making sure to stay warmed up enough since the hills are near the start of the course.

4. What do you contribute your success to?

Annabelle Brooks - State Champion Spotlight

Details: Published: Friday, 31 March 2023 06:53

We next spotlight Nordic state champion senior Annabelle Brooks of Cheverus. She won the 2023 Class A Classical, Freestyle, and Pursuit titles. She had the fastest pursuit time of all classes. We asked her about her successes and her preparations.

What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?

I did a series of peaking interval workouts in the weeks before states, and really focused on my nutrition, sleep, and hydration goals. I also traveled to Quarry Road, Bethel, and Jackson, NH, for some races and longer workouts to get primed. Finally, I’ve become quite fond of yoga thanks to Coach Annabelle George! It has really helped me improve my flexibility and balance.

How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?

Funny enough, I actually get a lot more nervous before big running events than I do for skiing. I think the thrill of skiing and the overall sense of excitement I get from being out in the snow helps suppress any nerves.

What was going through your mind at the start?

I thought about how I had put in the work and logged the hours of training necessary to have a great result. I also visualized different parts of the course and how I wanted to ski them.

What do you contribute your success to?

Lily Boulanger - State Champion Spotlight

Details: Published: Thursday, 30 March 2023 06:56

We now spotlight freshman Lily Boulanger of Mtn Valley. She won the 2023 Class B giant slalom title. She also won the WMC slalom title. We asked her about her thinking at the starting line and her plans for next year.

1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet? I would take the time to myself but try to train as much as I could which would help me have more confidence going into states.

2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet? I would do my own thing and give myself time to myself within each run.

3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate? I was trying to picture myself going through the course and around each gate.

4) What do you contribute your success to?

Jaden Boulanger - State Champion Spotlight

Details: Published: Wednesday, 29 March 2023 06:54

Our next state champion spotlight is junior Jaden Boulanger of Mtn Valley. Boulanger won the 2023 Class B slalom title and was r Jaden unner-up in giant slalom. She also won the WMC giant slalom title. We asked her about her about what surprised her from the season and her favorite thing about Alpine.

1. What were your preparations leading up to the state meet? I’ve been training all winter, which made a huge impact on my performance. Each race also helped me prepare for the competition at states.

2. How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet? I went into states believing that if I skied well, I’d place well. Then I was just focused on each individual run, not so much the whole race.

3. What was going through your mind at the starting gate? I wanted to be sure I put down a solid run. I knew the course and I was focused on skiing it my best.

4. What do you contribute your success to?