Photo by Adam Hurwitz
By Olivia Dubin
Sports Reporter
The Alpine Ski team made their way to Nashoba Valley this past Tuesday for their second race of the young season and left with very successful results. The girls’ and boys’ teams placed 2nd overall and 4th overall last Tuesday in their first meet of the season.
The girls’ had a strong showing which featured three racers in the top twelve while the boys’ earned fourth place without number one skier and senior captain Chace Khan out with an illness.
The recent spell of rain and warm weather had not left the slopes in prime condition for racing.
“We had been practicing on the same type of snow before out race so I don’t think it really threw anyone off. It might have slowed down the course a bit,” Nelson said.
This year’s team is thought to be the largest it has ever been creating a new and positive team dynamic. Although sizable, the team has remained to have a family-like attitude, helping to drive their success as a whole this year.
The Lions are full of youth this year as the varsity race features a variety of underclassmen.
“We have a lot of really talented freshman which is also really good, especially for the upcoming seasons so we know the team is going to be pretty strong,” Nelson said.
Sophomores Maddie Bray (3rd) and Charlotte Doran (6th) had times of 42.81 and 43.63 seconds respectively. Freshmen Saylor Flannery also came in 12th with a time of 45.28.
The boys’ team was led by sophomore Ryan Landrigan who came in 14th with a time of 46.68.
Senior captain, Adam Hurwitz has also noticed a strong positive team dynamic this year, likely driven by the team’s high success the season.
“With the team performing well this season, everybody is just having a lot of fun and clicking as a group,” Hurwitz said.
Tuesday’s race featured multiple standout performances from all different grades among the boys and girls. Their success was clear with a girls second place overall finish and boys fourth overall. However, a few individuals were key factors in last week’s race to achieve such success.
“Maddie Bray, Charlotte Doran, and Chace Khan have led the team again so far this year, all of them finishing consistently top five in the league. Also, first-time racers Ryan Landrigan and Saylor Flannery have been very impressive, both placing top fifteen in the league and looking to qualify for states in their first year,” Hurwitz said.
As the winter season continues, the team is hopeful that their success so far will not end here, but drive them even further. Although the season is still young, the team is already looking forward and setting goals they hope to reach as the season continues.
“A goal for us is for the boys’ and girls’ teams to both finish top three in the league. We would also love to send five or more skiers to states this year, more than ever before, which is looking more and more likely,” Hurwitz said.
