Windham alpine ski team starts season strong

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School’s alpine ski team competed in a season-opening meet against Cheverus, Falmouth, Gorham, Kennebunk, Marshwood and Scarborough on Friday, Jan. 10 at Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton with Windham’s boys’ team finishing fourth with a score of 85 and the girls’ team finishing fifth with a score of 93.

Windham High senior Katelyn Cotter cruises to the finish
line at Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton during an alpine
skiing prep slalom meet. PHOTOBY MATT PAACARELLA

“We need to work on making sure everybody’s equipment is in the right condition,” said Windham alpine ski coach Christine Fredette. “We had some equipment malfunctions that created problems for some of the racers. All in all, it was great: we had a couple racers who weren’t sure they were going to race, and they ended up racing – pushing through those struggles as a team and cheering each other on, but the most important thing is they are all having fun. I saw some of the drills that we had been working on earlier in the week coming through in their skiing, I saw the kids giving each other encouragement and keeping each other focused and helping to lower each other’s anxiety. I think this sets a good tone, we know where we’re at, we competed well and we’re going to continue to compete well.”

Boys

Windham junior Finn Jorgensen finished first for the team and 18th overall with a combined two-run time of 2:06.34 minutes. Behind him was senior Caleb Lavallee with a time of 2:07.28; he finished second for Windham and 19th overall.

Senior Preston Stretch finished 21st overall and third for Windham with a time of 2:07.78.

“We had good team performances, if we just finish our races and don’t fall, I know that we can do better,” said team captain Stretch. “Conditions for this time of the season are actually amazing because they’ve been making so much snow. The first run, very good, the course was easy, course was very straight, good first course to start. After the second run, it did get a little chopped up and a bit icier. This meet definitely sets a tone that we need to try our best, try harder, not necessarily that we didn’t do good, but we know that we can do better. We need to work on our ability to finish these courses and not get disqualified; we need to work on finishing and not falling.”

Junior and exchange student Eduardo Elorriaga finished with a time of 4:35.34.

Girls

Sophomore Maya Dries finished 12th overall and first for Windham with a 2:04.01 time.

Junior Ella Washburn finished second for Windham and 22nd overall with a time of 2:27.82. Junior Anna Lane finished third for Windham and 29th overall with a 2:32.37 time.

“I think I did good,” said Windham senior captain Katelyn Cotter, who finished fifth for Windham with a time of 2:53.33. “Definitely was a slow start to the season, but ... it’s good to get back on the snow and actually hit a gate. I think it sets a very good tone, we’re all super supportive of each other, a lot of team building, especially up top. Especially with the conditions that held up tonight, it’s going to be a good season for all of us. Our teams did really good at holding their edge, especially in those spots that get icy, our team does really well in making sure they’re getting in, actually making sure they’re sticking to their line and getting nice and close to the gates.

Cotter said the teams just need more practice and time on snow to improve for the season. <