Ski team gives heart and soul at SMAAs

Cordelia Inman

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham boys’ and girls’ ski team competed in the Southwestern Maine Activities Association contest at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton on Friday, February 8.  The SMAAs are the final race every team member can participate in; coaches then pick their top six racers to attend the state competition.

The first race of the day was giant slalom. The athletes had great conditions, considering it had rained all morning. The sun was out, and everyone was in great spirits.

The girls did a great job with everyone giving it their all.

Freshman Sarah Hare placed first overall with a combined time of 1:27.37. After her first run she had the lead by two seconds which is very impressive in any race, especially being a freshman racing against seniors.

Senior Naomi Debrosse placed 18^th overall with a combined time of 1:47.91.

Senior and first-time racer, Miranda Lewis placed 26^th. Junior Madelynn McGary placed 33^rd. Senior and first-time racer, Riley Gardner placed 34^th. Freshman and first-time racer, Lauren DeLuca placed 35^th. Senior Avery Rolfe placed 36^th. 

The girls placed 5^th out of 6^th teams overall in the giant slalom.

There were only two boys racing, which was not enough to place as a team. Junior Benjamin White had a great run finishing 24^th and Junior Owen Flibbert placed 40^th.

The second half of the day was the slalom race. Freshman Sarah Hare had another great two runs and placed third overall with a combined time of 2:17.11.

Senior Naomi Debrosse placed 21^st overall. Captain and Senior Cordelia Inman placed 26^th. Senior Avery Rolfe placed 30^th. Senior Riley Gardner placed 32^nd.  Freshman Lauren DeLuca placed 37^th. Unfortunately, Junior Madelynn McGary fell on her second run, but was able to finish 38^th overall.

For the boys’ team, Junior Benjamin White placed 22^nd overall and Junior Owen Flibbert placed 38^th.

“You can really see the improvement of the racers from the first practice to SMAAs, it’s a great indicator for how they will do at states. We are very lucky that states this year are held at Shawnee Peak. The athletes have been training and racing there all season and even got to preview what the giant slalom course will look like,” observed coach Emily Atwood.