After a winning the conference title, the girls alpine team claimed second at the section meet to earn a spot in the State meet where they finished 4th. With a mix of experience and new talent, the team found a way to end the season on a high note. After missing the State championships by one point last year, making it back was a clear goal for the team. This clear goal helped the team get through the long hours on the hill and put in the work to go for the top step of the podium.
After their commanding victory at the conference meet and a second place finish at sections, they put together another great race at state.
“We got fourth by half a point over 5th so we just sneaked it out,” senior captain Eden Letourneau said.
After missing qualifying for state by one point last year, the alpine team claimed second this year to advance. After the disappointing finish last year, they were glad to be back.
“Coming back to state was a big deal especially being there as a team…I’m really proud that I can say I was part of this team,” Letourneau said.
The season starts in the weight room before shifting to the snow where the team works on all aspects of the technique skill and strength required to complete the run as quickly as possible.
“We all worked hard for ourselves, but we also put a lot of work in for the other girls on the team,” Letourneau added.
Having a team that is reliable helps push them to be their best. Trusting that everyone on the team is putting in the necessary effort brings out the best in a team.
“My second run at sections I shaved off a whole second for my team. at the top of the hill I was thinking of myself, do this for myself but do this for my girls,” junior Rosie Kubiak said.
While alpine may look easy from the outside, in reality, it is “really unforgiving, if you fall you could lose a ski or both and slide halfway down the hill you can’t make that time up,” Letourneau said.
As the team shrinks in size, the hard work from the athletes becomes even more important.
“We all wanted each other to succeed, and that is something you don’t often see in individual sports like this,” Letourneau said.
After a disappointing end to the season a year ago, they returned this year and came 4th at the State meet. They are proving that they will continue to remain a top team in the state despite shrinking in size. The strong sophomores, juniors and plentiful young talent will ensure that they will often be in contention at the State meet year after year.
